Where to live with a 45 minute or less commute to downtown (with traffic)

[jellyben]

I live in Issaqauh. We have been very happy here for 4 years(moving back east next month). The main draw for us was the schools since we have young kids and the schools are quite good. If we didn't have kids I think we would have stayed in Seattle. My H commutes to the waterfront and relies on the bus-very efficient, maybe 40 minutes door to door.

[Pittgal]

Veronika~

We moved out here from PA 9 months ago for the same reason..hubby took a job with Amazon. So if you have any questions about the process feel free to pm me.

Also, we are living in Issaquah. Hubby takes the bus and its a 25 minute commute. Amazon is not in the heart of downtown Seattle, its his first stop in the city coming from the eastside. If you have questions about apartments in Issaquah I can help you out, we looked at most of them before choosing this one.

[pwright1]

If your husband is working at Amazon it would make sense to live near work. The Mount Baker, Leschi, Madrona, Madison Valley and even First Hill neighborhoods of Seattle are ALL nice and just 10-15 minutes at the most from Amazon. ALL are minutes from downtown Seattle for major shopping, cultural amenities and entertainment. ALL are very walkable. ALL are close to many great restaurants (not chains), coffee houses, supermarkets and parks. ALL are minutes from Lake Washington. ALL do not require freeway travel. ALL are steps from public transportation where the buses run constantly throughout the day and night. This is nice because we catch the bus to Mariner and Seahawk games. If Amazon were on the eastside I would recommend you live there but with so many great neighborhoods in Seattle so close to work I HIGHLY recommend you check these neighborhoods out. I know 2 people who live in the Madison Valley and the Mount Baker neighborhoods and work at Amazon who are quite satisfied working so close to home and getting home in such a short time without the long commutes.

[malarkey]

I second what pwright1 says. What about Columbia City? Seward Park? Don't cross the bridge if you don't have to. Live in a walkable neighborhood. Commute traffic, whether you are driving or not, is really painful here.

[VeronikaW]

Thanks everyone.

We actually moved to Issaquah. With a baby on the way, I have little to no interest in living in the city. Coming from Southern CA, we still find the "traffic" here laughable. DH is commuting on the bus (only because parking is so expensive downtown), and it's working out well for us.

V. =)