Need feedback on the Trossachs area in Sammamish

[texastrigirl]

Where I live in Sammamish is just about 10 minutes from some of the best hiking in the area. Kirkland is about 20-25 minutes northwest of me, further from the Issaquah trailheads. I am less than 2 miles from the Lake Sammamish trail that connects to the Burke Gilman and I am a half block from Pine Lake. Beaver Lake is just a few miles from me. We are 40 minutes from the Pass. Kirkland again, is just that much further. I do like Kirkland very much but for the $$, proximity to nature and outstanding schools, location closer to I-90 moreso than 520 ( I am in South Sammamish, North Issaquah), Sammamish won for us. That being said, we love to boat up to Kirkland and hang out downtown. I think you'd probably find plenty of trails up there too but Issaquah is right off the Issaquah Alps (Tiger, Squak and Cougar Mtns) with more trails than you will know what to do with! And I agree with a previous poster about DT Issaquah. It's really nice and only getting better.

[seattlenextyear]

We have friends who moved from Kirkland to Sammamish and miss Kirkland. It depends a lot on your preferences, but they feel really isolated up on the plateau. It takes a long time to get anywhere, there's no good restaurants around, they can't get their Seattle friends to visit them, etc. etc.

If you're into being around other people with families and don't go out much, Sammamish is good.

[Hemlock140]

I too am in Sammamish and am familiar with Trossachs, as we sometimes park there to go into Soaring Eagle to hike. Hopefully no criminals are reading this because I know people that actually still leave their homes unlocked despite the occasional theft, because breakins seem so rare.

The police reports here list mostly identity theft and shoplifting kids taking a candy bar from Safeway. Even had a woman that called to report a suspicious van in front of her house, turned out she'd forgotten about having a new appliance delivered.

As for diversity, we have about 10% Asians, most are from India, and are Microsoft employees. It's 88% white, 3% hispanic and less than 1% black.
Median income is over $120k. Those families at or below the poverty level
are at less than 2%.

Police Blotter : The Sammamish Review – News, Sports, Classifieds in Sammamish, WA

[wsugrad03]

I live in Sammamish around Pine Lake Park, so I'm familiar with Trossachs. We were interested in buying there a few years back, because of the abundance of nice new homes. However, we went with Pine Lake area mainly because of the location and commute. Beaver Lake and Trossachs are great areas, but they have a less desirable commute model. The main access point is either through Fall City Road to South Duthie, or around the back end of Beaver Lake. The commute can be a bottle neck at times. There isn't the best proximity for amenities either, as you either have to commute to the Klahanie QFC, or Pine Lake Shopping center, but that's the only negatives I can say about the area. I would also check the school district. I'm not positive, but I think some schools in Trossachs are part of the Snoqualmie Valley school district. So while it may be perfectly excellent, it may not be part of the Issaquah School district, which may or may not be important to you.

There's some scattered crime that randomly hits various neighborhoods of Sammamish...usually burglaries that target homes when people are away on vacation. It's really not very common..just a few occurrences every several years. I think it's the same group of criminals that go from neighborhood to neighborhood. Invest in a good security system.

[texastrigirl]

Agree with comments on commute for location around Pine Lake Park area vs. Trossachs. Plus near PLP, you get walkability to a shopping center. In Trossachs, you have to get in the car and that will not change most likely, ever. But boy they have a killer view in Trossachs!