Bonney Lake area? (Seattle, Tacoma, Kent: gated, apartments, condos)

[trevnkd]

Hello, we are moving to Washington from California and we don't know the Seattle area at all... My husband will be working in Kent but we want a nice small town feel of living for our kids to grow up with, nice houses, safer, good schools, etc. Looking at houses we've found some nice ones in Bonney Lake, does anyone out there know that area enough to tell me anything about Bonney Lake? I can find statistics but that really doesn't tell you much about whether or not it is a nice, pretty little town like we're looking for. Thanks for anyone that helps!

[compltlyme]

I don't know much about it other than going there a few times to visit a client. I like the area. Seems nice and a bit rural. Looks like there is plenty of the usual shopping but nothing Major like a CA Mall.

Where in CA are you coming from? Maybe I can compare it to something close by...

[Mark S.]

A good friend of mine has lived in Bonney Lake for about 6 years now. He said it was a very nice place up until about 2-3 years ago. This whole area is just growing so fast. Bonney Lake used to be a nice, rural community. Now it's filling up with strip malls and condos.

You might consider Enumclaw. To me anyway, it has more of an actual town feel, whereas Sumner and Bonney Lake both seem like a series of strip malls interspered with condos, apartments, and houses. The only drawback I've ever seen to Enumclaw is that it is in "volcano alley," and in late summer/early fall when the County Fair opens, traffic can be horrendous with all the visitors. But that's only for a few weeks. The rest of the time, it's quite nice.

Buckley (right by Enumclaw) is also a nice place.

I've only driven through Black Diamond a few times, but it seemed nice enough, I guess.

I used to know a guy who lived in Orting, and he loved it, but his job transferred him out a few years ago. I've never been out there myself.

If you're wanting a quiet town, low crime, and safe schools, you definitely want to stay out of Kent, Renton, Pacific, and most parts of Auburn. Puyallup is a bit better, I think, but not much. The closer you get to Tacoma and Seattle, the worse things get.

[chris]

Mark S is spot on about the area. I just moved away from Bonney Lake and it reminded me of what I don't like about Californication. Houses 10ft away from each other, 410 traffic was getting to be a nightmare, people getting more rude by the month. California transplant invasion for lack of a better description. Orting is nice but is becoming jammed up with traffic due to many new developments.

Enumclaw/black diamond is nice but extremely expensive now (great schools). Maple Valley would be the best for a short commute, but the closer you are to Kent, the more violent crime you'll encounter. Many would recommend Puyallup/Auburn for Kent but both areas are too crowded and 167 becomes gridlock almost every day.

Wish I had something nice to say about the area. Guess it's a sign that I'm getting old and really appreciate my free time.

[onlnmom123]

I live in Orting and have lived here for the last 3 years. We live in a gated community 3 miles from town. We like the area we moved from CA 4 years ago and rented in Puyallup, would never live there the schools weren't that great for us. We like the schools in Orting I have a daughter in Jr. high and one in 5th grade. I agree with Mark the Orting area is growing with homes and it is becoming very congested down here in the little town. It is a 2 lane highway coming in and out so rush hour it is crazy to go anywhere. It is a good area, if you can handle the congestion of the growing areas.

Another place you might consider is Auburn our children used to attend Evergreen Heights Elementary school and we really loved the school, the only reason we didn't buy out there is we were looking for a newer home with a decent lot.

Hope it helps. Where are you moving from in CA? We moved from Pleasanton

[WA-to-TN]

Originally Posted by onlnmom123

I live in Orting and have lived here for the last 3 years. We live in a gated community 3 miles from town. We like the area we moved from CA 4 years ago and rented in Puyallup, would never live there the schools weren't that great for us. We like the schools in Orting I have a daughter in Jr. high and one in 5th grade. I agree with Mark the Orting area is growing with homes and it is becoming very congested down here in the little town. It is a 2 lane highway coming in and out so rush hour it is crazy to go anywhere. It is a good area, if you can handle the congestion of the growing areas.

Another place you might consider is Auburn our children used to attend Evergreen Heights Elementary school and we really loved the school, the only reason we didn't buy out there is we were looking for a newer home with a decent lot.

Hope it helps. Where are you moving from in CA? We moved from Pleasanton

When's the last time you practiced racing to high ground to escape the lahars from Mt. Rainier? I figure I have one event "free" until the lahar fills the Orting Valley and comes up to my level on South Hill.

[Karen Jackson]

Bonney lake has had the small town feel and still does a little. It has grown a ton in the last 5 years which is taking away from that. Enumclaw and Sumner may be a good option for the small town feel.

[moderator cut]

[MJBunny]

I have lived in Bonney Lake for the last 3 years. I see both sides of the argument about the area. Until recently (5 to 7 years) it was really small town and "homey." I bought a new house here because it doesn't bother me to be in a new community where the houses are side by side with small yards. I wanted the new house because I don't want to be fixing things all the time. I don't want to mow a huge yard either and I do want the proximity to neighbors. Halloween is more fun because there are lots of kids that come out with their parents.

You can still buy an older house away from the "developement" if you want and you are still less than 2 miles from lots of stores.

Values are flat but haven't fallen and I expect the area to keep growing because you get so much more here for your money than you do moving closer to Seattle.