Husband to work in KENT, best area 2 live with kids? (Seattle: apartments, rentals)

[skorpio1177]

Hi! So my husband is possibly going to be working in Kent. Im looking for an area to look moving to with our 2 kids ( 6yrs and 6 months). We currently live in what would be KIND OF a suburb of Las Vegas. But anything we want is about a 10 minute drive away. Las Vegas schools rank like 49 I think in the state, so a better school system is almost guaranteed for us! lol
But Id like to live in a nice area (who doesnt duh), but I have no clue where to begin. Ive done endless searches online spending hours and hours looking. I need a starting point I guess. I've seen posts about Covington, Maple Valley, Green lake, etc. We need somethng affordable for us rent wise, like a 2 or 3 bedroom house (no apartments or condo) for roughly $1300/mo. Am I living in fantasy land or is this possible to find? Here are my list of priorities I guess:
1. Safe
2. Affordable
3. Good schools
4. Close to some sort of stuff- like food shopping, walmart, etc., and movie theaters, activities for the kids.

My husband is willing to commute like a half hour or so. And also, he may be required to go to Downtown Seattle for work sometimes.
Thanks for any help!

[christi1981]

First off you can rent a house for 1000 - 1500k. Don't live in kent unless its on east or west hill. I live in des moines about 10 min west of kent and next to puget sound. The school districts are bad, at least that is what I have been told. I live near salt water park, which is a national park with access to the water. I am from socal so living here is a real change in a positive way. I am 27 ad my fiacee is 33 and we absolutley love the area so we bought an 1100 sq ft house for under 300k. Now is a good time to buy. There are also cities like burien, normandy park (more pricey), federal way (very crowded), renton (very mixed), covington (getting very built up very fast), maple valley and auburn (more of a blu collar town, except on hills. I have seen many houses that were over 350k off the market and looking to lease or rent or lease/rent to own. I work for boeing and talk to everyone I could before I looked hard at an area. I am very biased when it comes to des moines because its a very quaint, low crime, nice area. Since its about 20 - 30 minutes from downtown seattle the prices are more reasonable. Please make sure to work with an agent that knows the area well. I know a nice lady that helps people even if they are not ready to buy. I know how it is being up here with no friends or family, so if you have any questions let me know

[CityGirl72]

ALways take advice of a parent

Unfortunately the best schools are always in the expensive areas.

Eastside:Bellevue, Redmond, Issaquah, etc

I like Maple Valley though - we have thought of moving there

I do not think there are many rentals out that way though. But definately check...

It is of my opinion only to stay away from Kent, Renton, Des Moines, or pretty much south King County (well, I like Burien)...but I say that only as a person who always has a six year old and wants good schools and a safe area for my kids.

[Prple]

I would suggest Maple Valley, North Bend or Snoqualmie.

[Dynst1988]

I would check East Hill in Kent or Maple Valley.

[skorpio1177]

So Maple Valley seems to be a good place is the consensis? The advice of a parent is definitely what Im looking for
I totally understand the good schools=more expensive area. Right now nevada schools have no money. I had to pay for full time kindergarten! And my daughter had no teacher for the 1st 3 months of the school year and had 50 kids in her class. Nevada schools ranked the lowest in the country. And they cant go year round- they go in tracks- one month on one month off, etc. So thats a bad school system.
What makes the Seattle area schools bad? Is it violence, drugs, lack of teachers, kids arent learning?
Citygrl- what area do u live in, if I may ask?

[ukdame]

MY son and wife have lived in Seatac near Kent for 2 years now, baby on the way so cannot speak for schools. Seatac townhome 3 levels, bed,huge basment i nthe $300s range/ They like it a lot. They are both w/the airlines so work is close by.

[vin2310]

I am also planning to move to Kent , with family including 8 year old son .. which area should we prefer moving to .. modern flats and best schools are key criteria ... I am searching on internet and getting different advices .. Any parents whi can help ...