Bothell? (Seattle, Bellevue, Everett: low income, apartment complexes, condo)

[Kat Smith]

I saw Bothell referred to as two separate areas, one was "King county Bothell", and the other I cannot remember.
One area was advised against.
I think it was a post by Jenbar.
I just wanted to clarify this, any thoughts?

[jwb123]

The other is Snohomish County, Bothell - unincorporated Snohomish County. Bothell is one of those "nice pocket" areas - lots of property crime, better price point on homes. "Ok" schools. I think that King County Bothell falls into the North Shore District, which is a good district, I would investigate the specific schools though. It's more economically mixed than some other areas, due to LOTS of apartment complexes on Bothell-Everett HWY, and because of the age of many of the neighborhood subdivisions. For example, the neighborhood I was in, the homes were about 23 yrs old, and the first owners were still in many of them...

Personally, and I have said it here several times, I would stay away from the Snohomish County Bothell, which is also Bothell/Mill Creek... I won't repeat my reasons ad naseum, but you can search that topic here on the forums. We lived there 3 years and did not like it. I am typically an urban or east side girl though - so my preferences lie in those areas, and what I didnt like about Bothell, others may find just fine.

[scirocco22]

Ok, observe folks, I'm going to disagree with Jen.

I really don't think you have to shy away from Snohomish County Bothell. Although the Northshore district has a very good reputation, I'm not quite sure what district you'd be in that section of unicorporated Sno' county. I think Mill Creek is in the Everett School District. I guess what I'm getting at is that there are advantages in being in Snohomish County ...primarily, taxes used to be lower; specifically property taxes. I don't know for sure if that still holds so maybe somebody else can chime in on that one.

I have friends who lives in the Snohomish county part of Bothell and are perfectly happy. He told me that they specifically didn't want to be in King County for a list of reasons.

Check it out. IMO, I don't really think it's bad enough to discourage someone from moving there.

--'rocco

[jwb123]

Snohomish County Bothell is in a few different school districts... we were in Bothell/Mill Creek and our school district was Edmonds - I would definitely NOT recommend that district.

Like I said though, I could never recommend it but what I prefer might be different from others, so check it out - by all means.

[41Willys]

Originally Posted by Jenbar

Snohomish County Bothell is in a few different school districts... we were in Bothell/Mill Creek and our school district was Edmonds - I would definitely NOT recommend that district.

Like I said though, I could never recommend it but what I prefer might be different from others, so check it out - by all means.

Can you expand on that thought?

[jwb123]

Based on my personal experience, with that district - I simply don't find it acceptable. There was an incident that happened to my child in Kindergarten - that required we bring in top level adminstration, and their lack of attention and priority to the victim in this situation was appalling.

As for the teachers, generally they were ok - unfortunately though, the classrooms were old, materials old and in general - the schools and all aspects of the learning environment just needed a full makeover.

I could also see that the administration in place at the school level, was loosing control over children and their actions at an alarmingly early age...

One of our key reasons for leaving the area (one of many reasons) was because the school district was so bad.

[brightcopperkettles]

I am a fourth generation Bothellite. My Grandfather was the first white baby (non-indian) born in Bothell in 1886. I remember when the Population sign read 560 going into Bothell !

Well, "For a day or a lifetime" fits Bothell. It is a bedroom community for a lot of areas,i.e., Seattle, Bellevue, Everett. However it is slowly becoming its own large/small town, with all the growing pains. I believe the population now is well over 35,000.

Bothell was the first Washington city to cross county lines in its quest to grow by annexing into Snohomish County, hence the 'King County'/'Snohomish County' Bothell tag.

As one of the first Firefighter's Bothell hired in 1968, my roots do run deep.

Bothell school district is good, but the growing pains have been felt there too. Bussing is a natural in this sub-urban area, as the schools are so far apart and the population is moving ever further from Seattle.

Hope this helps out. If you need any further information, please ask, I'd be happy to fill you in.

[jwb123]

I can see the pride in your area - and that's a good thing

As a transplant though, I think some might view it with a bit more objectivity. It's an "ok" area - that likely will get better as people are moving in, being that it's still fairly affordable. City and County officials will be FORCED to change the area, and make it less depressed looking. Revitalize. Update.
Eventually, I hope voters will fund the various school bonds, levies, inititives - etc. and being that younger families are moving in and needing good schools, in a few years time that will likely be the case.

As the cost of living in that area goes up - eventually the "less desirable" areas will be bought by investors and developers and 'clean it up' while good for the areas vitality, bad for those low income people currently living there... I see the need for both - so my opinions conflict on whether it's a good or bad thing.

Bothell/Mill Creek (Sno County) annexation has, in my opinion, not been a good thing for the area or residents. It kind of sits in "no mans land" in regards to emergency services, utilities, taxes... lots of finger pointing "you need to talk to this person" - "no you need to talk to this person" sort of thing...

Just a clarification though - there is no "Bothell School District". "Bothell" is in a few different school districts... I may be off a district or two, but it's my understanding that it goes as follows...

Bothell - Kenmore - King County area : North Shore School District (good district generally - but research needed for specific schools)

Bothell - Mill Creek - Lynnwood & west - Sno County area : Edmonds School District (not the best)

Bothell - Mill Creek - Everett & North - Sno County area : Everett School District (Depends on school)

I am not sure about Sno County Bothell and points east... such as out Maltby Rd, etc.

Bussing is a natural in this sub-urban area, as the schools are so far apart and the population is moving ever further from Seattle.

The schools aren't really that far apart - but district lines for the schools, at least in the Edmonds school district has been an extremly hot topic in the last few years. My child was bussed all the way down 164th and over I-5 - passing another, newly built elementary school, for a much older and in need of serious improvement elementary. We lived right on the line, and actually closer to the nicer and more sought after Mill Creek Elementary - (Everett School District). So, the bus issue really isn't about the schools being far apart. It's more about how ever officials figure out the boundaries. There are plenty of schools, though, as with most districts ANYWHERE - over crowding is a problem

[secret_squirrel]

With respect to Jenbar's experience, mine differs and I don't consider it an area to avoid.

I have lived in that area for several years and my children have been in both Edmonds and Everett schools. More important than just the district, I'd look at the school in your neighborhood service area. The Seattle Times puts out a yearly school guide with quite a few statistics and test scores that is helpful, along with greatschools.net

Rating the three districts, I'd put it at 1. Northshore 2. Edmonds. 3. Everett.
It sounds like Jenbar lived right on the boundaries (honestly, I am shocked that the Oak Heights service area extends where it does and I wouldn't have been happy with that, either).

My kids attended Hilltop Elementary and now I have one son in Brier Terrace Middle. Both schools, although not the newest buildings, have fantastic staff and good organizational structure. The student populations have primarily been polite and I much prefer Hilltop to Woodside Elementary (in the Everett SD, where my kids attended when we lived in Mill Creek - we were bussed away from Mill Creek Elementary, too).

North Bothell is growing quite a bit. There are less desireable areas in it like any area (near to the apartments), but it is, on the whole, not a bad location. The area is primarily middle class with pockets of new upscale developments. Mill Creek Town Center has great shopping/dining choices (Central Market is my favorite grocer). Further south, a new mixed use retail/restaurant/condo development is under construction. The area offers good access to I-5 and 405 (and backroads). Property crime is a growing concern, but I have not experienced it, nor has anyone I know of.

The north east part of Bothell used to be a rural horse community. But the old farms are being converted into new home developments and typically, road construction is lagging behind. Traffic can back up quite a bit, but the homes are more affordable.

IMO, the biggest consideration is commute and your housing budget.

[brightcopperkettles]

Originally Posted by firepro01

I am a fourth generation Bothellite. My Grandfather was the first white baby (non-indian) born in Bothell in 1886. I remember when the Population sign read 560 going into Bothell !

Well, "For a day or a lifetime" fits Bothell. It is a bedroom community for a lot of areas,i.e., Seattle, Bellevue, Everett. However it is slowly becoming its own large/small town, with all the growing pains. I believe the population now is well over 35,000.

Bothell was the first Washington city to cross county lines in its quest to grow by annexing into Snohomish County, hence the 'King County'/'Snohomish County' Bothell tag.

As one of the first Firefighter's Bothell hired in 1968, my roots do run deep.

Bothell school district is good, but the growing pains have been felt there too. Bussing is a natural in this sub-urban area, as the schools are so far apart and the population is moving ever further from Seattle.

Hope this helps out. If you need any further information, please ask, I'd be happy to fill you in.

First off, I'm glad you finally contributed (I can say that to him; Firepro01 is my husband!). My husband and I have seen Bothell change tremendously in the last decade or so. A lot of the apartments and businesses weren't even there 5 years ago! The property values have skyrocketed as well. My husband has pointed out the house he built and tells me how it cost him to build it and how much it's worth now, and I just shake my head in disbelief. He is over there every week to see his dad, and I try to go over with him at least once a month. I don't know if it's still there, but there used to be an old home (really old!) in the center of town (I think near a park?); I believe that was the first home in Bothell built by my husband's great or great-great grandfather. I'll have to ask him when he gets home if it's still there.

Bothell is a nice place, but waaaay too busy for this old girl. I can't even drive on that side of the water. Too much traffic, too many folks.

Again, thanks for contributing, honey. You know more about Bothell and Washington State than almost anyone on this board, so you should really jump in and tell these folks things they need to know....especially about how much it rains...... ;-)