MOVING TO WASH...QUESTIONS!!! Job in Everett, seeking MODERN community! (Seattle: apartment, renting)

[lowfreq13]

My new job is in Everett and I will be relocating to Washington soon (from CA). Hope you can answer some of my questions!

My family and I are middle class (make around $100k/year) and prefer life in the suburbs to life in the city. We plan on renting first but would eventually like to own a home.

We're looking for:
Modern housing
Modern town (not run down or old)
Least amount of crime as possible
Community College for my daughter
Grocery stores and modern amenities
Shopping mall
Recreational places
Corporate Job opportunities for my wife
Family-oriented community good for teens and young children

I'm not looking to be in a bustling city where my only affordable options are an apartment.

Is there anywhere in particular you may suggest that is commuting distance from Everett? Bedroom communities or overall nice places to live and grow up?

Any input would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks

[mayfair]

Hmmm. You can find newer subdivisions in lots of areas commutable to Everett (Lynnwood, Snohomish, Lake Stevens, even east Everett come to mind). These areas will have some older and run down areas. That's the thing about the area- you'll find newer housing intermingled with older housing. Some run down. It sounds like you want an area of all new subdivisions- is that right?

Everett has a Community College. Edmonds also has one. The areas around either are older.

You might like Lake Stevens- it's new and growing, and will be cheaper than Seattle.

The big shopping is in Lynnwood. Corporate opportunities in Seattle.

[mhmd]

My family and I are considering moving to Washington in the next 1-3 years. Where in Washington is another story...We are looking for a city where my husband can find a decent job (he is in the computer tech business) but we would actually like to live about 20-30 minutes away from the city. Somewhere where there is mountains, trees, maybe even by some water very close by. We love the outdoors and do not mind the weather there. Any suggestions? We plan on visiting places in WA next year.

[tomsilv]

Originally Posted by lowfreq13

My new job is in Everett and I will be relocating to Washington soon (from CA). Hope you can answer some of my questions!

My family and I are middle class (make around $100k/year) and prefer life in the suburbs to life in the city. We plan on renting first but would eventually like to own a home.

We're looking for:
Modern housing
Modern town (not run down or old)

Family-oriented community good for teens and young children

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Definitely NOT Everett. I've lived all over western Washington (Seattle, Everett, Monroe, Issaquah, Olympia, Bremerton) and Everett is far-and-away the absolute worst pit. Old and run down milltown now home of a new and run down navy port. Crime, crowds, terrible schools, crime, congestion, drugs, did I mention crime? I wouldn't drive through Everett with kids in the car without rolling up the windows and locking the doors. The 'better side' of Everett would be Edmonds/Mukilteo, but there the people feel superior to neighboring towns and will call the cops if a older car with a few dents drives by their house. The entire area looks best when seen in your rear view mirror.
Yup, I moved out the first chance I got!