best places to live in south seattle (Bellevue, Federal Way: buying a home, safe area)

[bumble bee]

Hi,

Thinking of buying a home in South Seattle. Would like to live somewhere relatively safe that's good for raising a family. I'm planning on spending $400K or less. Hopefully, less. What areas would you recommend?

[Harrier]

Can you be more specific? South Seattle can be thought of as the southern area within the city limits of Seattle or it could reference the South King County from Tukwila and Burien to Federal Way and Auburn.

[Inkpoe]

Why the sad face? There's lots of places south of Seattle are good safe areas. Harrier's right, though... what is "South Seattle" and how far of a commute are you looking for? And look at it this: the trend right now is that everyone is moving North of Seattle... which only adds to the traffic woes up there (also best to mention, the Sounder train is a lot more reliable coming from the south, not the north; We have light rail as well.)

[MaikeerinWA]

That's the confused icon, not the sad one.

Originally Posted by Inkpoe

Why the sad face? There's lots of places south of Seattle are good safe areas.

[Harrier]

Good point about the Sounder train inkpoe - even the express ST buses that go up 167 and I-5 are rather efficient. We will help u out bumble bee, jut narrow things down a bit! Good luck.

[gigs73]

That is good to know about the Sounder train & buses. My fiance & I will be moving to Seattle in 4 weeks for a job I took out there.
We have been looking at Ballard, Freemont & Magnolia....but thinking since I will be working in SLU that we should look more towards south of there.................Beacon Hill, Capitol Hill, Bell town or near Industrial District? We have read a lot on here about Seattle & we are fine with the weather - same amount of rain & grey as our current city of Columbus, OH.
If anyone has any feedback on any of these locations I would greatly appreciate it.

[Vinylly]

Originally Posted by bumble bee

Hi,

Thinking of buying a home in South Seattle. Would like to live somewhere relatively safe that's good for raising a family. I'm planning on spending $400K or less. Hopefully, less. What areas would you recommend?

Greatest places south is Normandy Park, Des Moines, Seahurst, and all up the coast of West Seattle.

[Ancalagon]

My wife and I are also looking in S. Seattle.

We've been focusing around Link stations in the Rainier Valley. As the system builds out it will become increasingly useful (Capital Hill and the University of Washington in 2016; Bellevue and Northgate by the early 2020s).

Probably our top choice right not is around the Othello LR Station. Specifically the New Holly Townhomes. There's a new or remodled QFC (Seattle area grocery chain) right across from the station and on the way to the residences.

[tobester]

Originally Posted by Ancalagon

My wife and I are also looking in S. Seattle.

We've been focusing around Link stations in the Rainier Valley. As the system builds out it will become increasingly useful (Capital Hill and the University of Washington in 2016; Bellevue and Northgate by the early 2020s).

Probably our top choice right not is around the Othello LR Station. Specifically the New Holly Townhomes. There's a new or remodled QFC (Seattle area grocery chain) right across from the station and on the way to the residences.

The only QFC in that area (that I know of) is near the McClellan station - I know of nothing like that near the Othello Station. Unless it's really new ...

[Harrier]

If your moving to Othello LR area - here is a link to a good rundown on the various gangs that roam Rainier Valley. What's Seattle's most dangerous neighborhood? - Yahoo! Answers