Questions about moving to the Seattle area? (Bellevue, Eastgate: sales, apartment)

[jkaeni33]

I know this has been asked before, but I'm going to ask again.

My mother might be getting a new job in Seattle and we found a nice apartment to rent in Bellevue. It would just be my mom and I as well as our 3 pets moving. I was wondering what the people are like in that area, in general? And do you think that 95k a year will be enough to live on out there? Also, how are the schools? We're still looking for slightly less expensive places outside of Seattle to live just in case. We'd be coming from Wisconsin, where the cost of living is much lower. Thanks for reading.
Any answers / suggestions would be very much appreciated!

[texastrigirl]

Renting and making $95K...you should be fine. There is no state income tax in WA though sales tax is 9.25% in most spots. Bellevue has excellent schools for the most part and is a very desirable area to live in terms of location to great shopping, dining and proximity to jobs in both Seattle and Bellevue. Eastgate Park N Ride provides a lot of public transport options.

The cost of living is generally much harder to manage if your goal is to buy a house but in renting a 2 bedroom, I think you'll be fine.

Good luck!

[Hemlock140]

I agree, renting, you will do fine at about $60k or more, the median income is about $83,000. In Bellevue the schools are great, there is very little crime, and while you may find it hard to make really good friends people treat each other well. Unlike Seattle, you can park free to shop, and no parking meters. Only a few office buildings charge in the garages.