Family Moving from SE Gulf Coast looking walk most places or public transit (Seattle: apartments)

[Mad_Hatter]

We're currently renting in a small SE gulf coast town.

Downtown is a 2 mile walk and there are no franchise places there its all local owned places to eat, drink, shop. They have events going all the time and a farmer's market every Saturday. The neighborhoods are a lot of older Katrina (hurricane) survived homes remodeled or rebuilt. There is a mix of blue collar areas as well as $1-?M homes.

Within less than 5 sq miles there are several schools including private, and at least 5 public parks not counting the school parks, plus the beach front park. I can walk 1 mile south of my condo and be on a public beach that is really across the beach front street from private homes and mostly just locals go here. Even the more common beach areas are mostly locals. About 8 miles away across a big bridge is beginning of the resort district and their beaches.

My wife and I like the idea of being able to take the stroller and kids and walk downtown for events or just browsing, or walk to the beach to just chill. We can still get in the car and in 15-20 min be at a large out door style mall with all the common franchise/big name stores.

I don't need to hear about the weather or why we're moving. I've been around the NW and Seattle years ago when I traveled for business, and always felt I wanted to live there.

So I'm looking for a town or community close to the water, nice downtown with local flavor, but also be able to get to some of the benefits of living close or in a big city fairly easily even by public transit. The kids need decent preschool and up. Bicycle friendly routes would be nice to have. We like the YMCA here so something similar for a place to swim and exercise during poor/cold weather.

We plan to rent initially until we can get a good feel for the greater area, and I would like to keep the rent at no more than $1100/mo, but would go more for the right setting. We probably need 3brm 2bath but 2/2 might work for the first year.

Not looking for the latest yuppie, hip, hangout/community. We like simple yet different. Don't want to feel like we're living in a city, but not far away from a city environment.

[Hemlock140]

Seattle and surrounding areas are very hilly, so the walkability and bicycling to downtown are not the same as they would be there. Your biggest problem will be rent, the areas that might suit you would be studios or 1 bedroom apartments for that, while a 3/2 is more line $1,600+.
There are only a few beaches in the Seattle area, with most of the sound and Lake built up with homes/businesses. The best are Alki in West Seattle, Golden Gardens in Ballard, Discovery Park and Seward Park. Probably the closest to what yo9u are asking for is Green Lake, with beaches on the small lake, trails and plenty of local shops and restaurants within easy walking distance of the homes. Since it's so nice many people want to live there so prices are high. A friend living there was paying $1,600/month for an older 2 BR 1 BA house but when the lease expired it got sold for $430,00 a year or so ago.

[BellevueNative]

I was thinking you would like Kirkland, but you won't be able to find an apartment that big for that little. Just to give you an idea, when I lived in Kenmore (Eastside suburb with no real downtown and weird zoning) several years ago, my rent was about 1,100 for a 1 bedroom. West Seattle is very charming, but I'm not sure about the public schools. You mention private schools in your post, so not sure you're open to those, but it goes without saying that great private schools are always an option.

[Mad_Hatter]

OP here,

If necessary we would be willing to live an hour outside the city assuming a suburb has what we need for everyday living including good doctors, dentist, etc. I guess we could go further if needed. Like I said this is a temp place to land, and we'll get an idea of where we want to be after about a year.

If we can get around with public transit and walking, I have no problem getting rid of the car and add another 300-400/mo to my rent.

We have also recently adopted a whole new healthy life style. We prefer to walk or ride a bike, mostly eat vegetarian and homemade juices. Like where we live now most people would say it's ok if you like the artsy types, vegans, etc.

[seattlerain]

The city of Edmonds which is about 15 miles north of Seattle might be worth looking at...

[Ira500]

Issaquah has a nice old downtown, pretty mountains nearby, and good schools.
Bothell has a nice old downtown that's being revitalized.
Burien has that artsy veggie friendly thing going, a great old downtown, nice places to hike, Puget Sound views, a Trader Joe's, and lower rent prices, but schools that are considered mediocre( outside of the Gregory Heights and Normandy park elementary schools, which are thought of as very good).