Gig Harbor info and Kirkland Info needed!!! Thx (SeaTac, Rainier: home, safe neighborhood)

[tarasb]

Hi! My husband, 3 month old daughter and I might possibly be moving to the area in a few months, and I'm looking for more info on both places! Any input greatly appreciated. We're looking for the following:

-Great schools
-Safe neighborhood where you can walk/run etc/ family friendly for little ones
-A Good variety of restaurants that aren't super busy
-no more than a 40 minute commute to SeaTac (he'll be going to work at either 4am or 4pm, coming home at either 6am or 6pm)
-A nice home that might need updating under 425000
-Beachpark access (although how busy are Kirklands beach parks?)
-Shopping no more than 10 minutes away
-We'd like a little space from neighbors, but I know you can't have it all

Seriously, we'll consider anywhere! A good friend lives in GH and has really gotten me excited about it. Any other places to consider would be wonderful! OR any input from people who live/have lived in these areas would be helpful too. Thanks

Also, as silly as it is, I've told a few people I might be moving to the area, and they tell me about the huge earthquake risk. Any ideas?

[mthomson]

With the exception of the variety of restaurants, you just described Gig Harbor. You can get a lot of good info on Gig Harbor here.
Huge earthquake risk? I've lived here 12 years and we've had 1 earthquake that I felt, none that have done any damage. Maybe they're thinkking of the risk of Mt Rainier erupting. That could happen sometime in the next 500-1000 years. Not a huge risk, I wouldn't say.

[cabocurtis]

I think the commute from Seatac is generally better from Gig Harbor to Seatac than Kirkland from either I-405 or Interstate 5 via 520 bridge. You also have the option of sound transit bus option which uses the express lanes. 425k wont get you much in Kirkland. Mthomson Im sure can find you a Gig Harbor home in that range. Kirkland has a great walking waterfront with many restaurants but Gig harbor has a nice walking waterfront and across the bridge Ruston Way way a 10 minute drive has a great walking waterfront path and variety of restaurants.