Maple Valley (Seattle, Renton, Covington: to rent, house, school district)

[rhaha101]

I am from out of state and I am looking at different areas in WA. I have been reading a bit about Maple Valley and how it is a great place for families. Just curious though is it a lot of couples moving there and then starting families or is more of families moving there? What areas in WA are a lot of the people from - Seattle based or from other outlier cities? Just wondering - always appreciate the insight.

[texastrigirl]

I have met a few people from Maple Valley. They all have several young school aged children and speak very highly of the school system amidst the smaller town atmosphere. You are relatively close to Issaquah out there (15-20 minutes) though it is not IMO considered a suburb of Seattle at this point. What price range are you looking for, what do you like to do and are schools a consideration for you?

[VeronikaW]

I have heard great things about Maple Valley, and know a lot of people with young children that live there. However, it's a really inconvenient commute into Seattle from there, which is why my husband and I ruled it out.

V. =)

[Ira500]

If you work normal 9-5 ish weekday hours, buses into Seattle exist and aren't real bad, but outside of those hours it gets difficult. Maple Valley has the very well regarded Tahoma School district.

[nfdsouza2001]

Maple valley has a lot of affordable homes. You are close to Issaquah whic has a new park & ride. You are close to Renton from the back on 169. Public transport is iffy like Ira said but a few buses run 24 hrs from Covington which about 20 minutes away.

[rhaha101]

Thanks for the feedback. Kids are definitely a consideration for the future. So if I was going to work in Seattle, it sounds like Issaquah is a more convenient choice, commute-wise. Of course, there's a tradeoff in everything...

[nfdsouza2001]

It is true Isaaquah is more conducive to the commute. You will get less house for the money. Living close to the park and ride is a good option but commuting around Isaaquah can be difficult. Living in Maple Valley gives more house, there are numerous ways in and out of Maple Valley.

[VeronikaW]

Originally Posted by rhaha101

Thanks for the feedback. Kids are definitely a consideration for the future. So if I was going to work in Seattle, it sounds like Issaquah is a more convenient choice, commute-wise. Of course, there's a tradeoff in everything...

We live in the Issaquah Highlands and my husband commutes downtown. If he walks to the park n ride (to take a bus downtown) and walks home (it's about 1/2 mile from our house), his commute is about an hour each way during peak commute times.