Ridgefield, Salmon Creek area Washington schools (Vancouver, Kirkland: relocating, travel, zoning)

[melpotensky]

Our family is considering a move somewhere near the Vancouver area and I liked the location of Ridgefield on the map as my husband would be working in Woodland. I have checked greatschools.com as I have a 1st and 7th grader who love their schools here in Issaquah. Can anyone tell me more about what to expect from the schools as I feel we have been spoiled for many years where we are now and I am looking forward to relocating except for this one concern. The Camas area is just too far for us and I think Ridgefield looks like it would be easy to meet people in the new devolopments. Any thoughts on living in this area are SOOO appreciated as I know very little and am going into this pretty blind and alone.

[janb]

Both of these areas are pretty good, probably would be better to stay towards Salmon Creek to save yourself some travel time as a mom. Maybe an area near WSU, as the campus is building fast, and there may be chances for you to use some of the facilities and take classes. Check to see what is available for your tastes / activities. I was very unhappy to find out that there were no swimming pools in the schools in this area, after coming from a town of 30,000 in Colo with 3 indoor pools for lap swimming. I am not able to bike as much in PNW, as country roads (where I live) are very narrow and dark. I liked to be near a library when kids were small, and soccer fields as they aged. (in PNW we have always had a 'u-pick' farm or acreage for 'activities'...)

Check the zoning maps, tax levies, and comprehensive plan (If you don't want a 'super highway' going through your yard.)
Hang around your areas of choice during weekday rush hrs to get a perspective BEFORE buying. Weekends can be enlightening too (some folks didn't know Washougal had a 'National Motocross Track' when they bought) We can slightly hear them on race weekends, but we are 3 ridges and 8 miles away. Some of the folks closer get a serious dose of noise and traffic, but I'm not against that, I earned my keep on a race track many years ago...

[kspiess]

Hi

Thought I might be able to share a bit with you as I moved to SW Washington (Kalama) from Kirkland. Ridgefield is teeny, but it won't be for long. The area is a mecca for well-to-do families, and the schools there are getting better every year. The growth has been so rapid that they are building a massive new high school, and the quality of new teachers will no doubt be of the type found in King County. The present high school will become Ridgefield's second junior high (thinking of your son). This also opens up opportunity for exceptional new teachers there. This is a money town (but that is relative--everything here is affordable compared to Issaquah and Kirkland, and the schools are scurrying to accomodate the residents.

You will be a hop skip and a jump from Woodland, and also from Portland. If you can get yourselves to Ridgefield, lucky you! Watch out for the new ultra-dense housing developments, though. All looks, but lacking in the quality department. There is an awesome development called Wishing Wells right behind the current high school. Quality homes 475-550 range all on about half an acre, all by individual builders, so no cookie-cutter-blow-em-down houses.

Good luck!