Moving to Monroe, what about the prison? (Seattle, Snohomish: real estate, crime)

[onemoretime]

Hi there,

My husband and I moving to a new home very near the Monroe State Penitentiary. Although I grew up in Snohomish, I don't know what it would be like living so close to the prison. Can anyone give us feedback about Monore as a community, crime, schools, hospitals, jobs, etc that may help?

I'm not naive so please just give us info or suggestions if you have them.

Thanks a ton!

[Quantum]

I live in Seattle, but this past weekend I did a comprehensive survey down SR2.

The further east you go, the more beautiful the forests, and the lower the crime. Can't speak for the schools, but for kids nothing beats a natural, rural environment, especially if they like to explore.

Baring looks good to me. Halford no longer exists, Grotto is poor, and Skykomish has rail through its center.

Skiing at Steven's Pass can not be beat. Check out Deception Falls (even though it's closed).

[lilscout2u]

You don't really notice the prison at all here. There seem to be a lot of police officers so you should obey the laws at all times. Housing and food things are expensive and Traffic is hectic during rush hours and weekends.

It's sad because it's almost not a small town anymore, there are getting to be too many people here. I can't even walk across my street to check the mail, I have to run, and I live on a rural road.

[vnodak]

I live near Monroe and it still has a small town feel. I have a friend who moved there and she has kids. It was one of the few places she could afford in the Seattle area. She loves it and their are alot of stuff for the kids. Crime is low and people are friendly. I think you will be happy there and do not worry about the pen. I have not heard of any problems. Good luck and I wish you well. Traffic is a pain sometimes but if you live in the Seattle area that comes with the territory. The whole Seattle are is having growing pains. Also, I know several people who have kids going to school in Monroe and they are not unhappy with the school system.

[vnodak]

Oh, Seattle area is not cheap---cost of living is up their. However, I have found Monroe not to be as exspensive as other areas closer to Seattle.

[Haakon]

Monroe is growing, there's a lot of construction going on - both residential and commercial. The prison is really a non issue. You can see it if you look for it, but it's not obtrusive. I don't remember ever hearing about someone breaking out of it, so security because of the prison isn't an issue.

I've only been to the hospital there for a few stitches but they seemed competent, I didn't have to sit around and wait to see a doctor.

Monroe seems to be sort of a bedroom community for Seattle and the Eastside, well paying jobs actually in Monroe don't seem to be very common.

Nowhere around here is cheap to live anymore, but there are a lot more expensive places to buy a house than Monroe.

[pjdxxxwa]

I had the same concern. The real estate man said this: If someone broke out of prison they are not going to stick around. We have lived in Monroe for 15 years now. No problems with the prison whatsoever. A couple breaks but they inmate was caught quickly. You know when it happens...you hear low flying, slow helicopters. Monroe has fewer dangers all around than larger cities that have no prisons.

Originally Posted by onemoretime

Hi there,

My husband and I moving to a new home very near the Monroe State Penitentiary. Although I grew up in Snohomish, I don't know what it would be like living so close to the prison. Can anyone give us feedback about Monore as a community, crime, schools, hospitals, jobs, etc that may help?

I'm not naive so please just give us info or suggestions if you have them.

Thanks a ton!