Relocation and working in Kent (Renton, Auburn: apartment, to rent, private schools)

[megches]

My husband has accepted a job in Kent and we are looking for an area with a small town, country feel, with less than a 30 min. commute. We would like to rent for 1500/month or less. We need a place where we feel safe because we have 3 children. We also would like a good school. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[Inkpoe]

Look into Maple Valley (though its not really a small town anymore, but a fast fledging suburb)... Bonney Lake, Covington, Black Diamond, Lake Tapps, the nicer portions of Auburn (away from the valley). These will be around 30 mins mark, but under if the the traffic gods will allow. There are portions of Renton that are also rural, so definitely look into that (Lake Youngs, Maple Heights/Lake Desire area are definitely nice with good schools).

[megches]

Thanks so much for those suggestions! Maple Valley and Covington look nice.

Do you know much about Mercer Island? How would that commute be? I'm also interested in the Lake Youngs area by Renton. Any other information would be helpful.

Thanks!

[tobester]

Mercer Island would be a tolerable commute, is safe and has well-supported schools (heard them called the best publicly supported private schools, due to their relative isolation). But guessing 1500/mo might only get you a 1 or 2 br apartment there.