a few lifestyle questions (Seattle, Kent: HOA, insurance, house)

[mamamaya]

Originally Posted by CityGirl72

Do you have kids?

I have two little ones. We live in a family oriented neighborhood in the bay area and yet we rarely ever see kids playing. We are a block from a park but usually when we go there all the kids are in organized soccer camps, except the babies and toddlers with their nannies.

We lived back in the UK for 2 yrs where kids still all congregated in the local park after school, where most kids walked to and from school, and where they rode their bikes and played football in the street. They were also in and out of each other's houses all the time. After school activities were prettty much limited to a Scouts group or music lesson once a week, and I never heard the term "playdate"; rather kids just got together and played, unscheduled.

It's been incredibly hard to transition to this isolated US lifestyle. We may be in about as good a place as it gets for families in some ways and yet we're still in search of somewhere that feels more community/family oriented and where the stressors are less.

[jwb123]

Sounds like you guys want to slow down a bit Definitely check out the Austin forum and ask these same questions. I think you will be surprised and find what you are looking for.

[mamamaya]

Originally Posted by Jenbar

Lot's of people moving to Austin from California... It can be hot, but it's pretty much ideal in my opinion. Great place to raise a family.

Oh yes, I've heard great things about Austin. We're coastal kinds of people though so doubt that would work for us.

[jwb123]

There are tons of large lakes, and it's a 4 hour drive from the coast. Same as Seattle.

[ness]

I know this may sound crazy, but I think it is the more affluent/expensive areas that suffer from this kids with nannies and isolated/super planned out existence. Some of the less upscale neighborhoods seem to have kids playing in the cul de sac, riding bikes, enjoying BBQs and time with neighborhood kids. Maybe too much $$$$ isn't good for kids. ??? Just throwing this out there.

[chris]

Originally Posted by mamamaya

It's been incredibly hard to transition to this isolated US lifestyle. We may be in about as good a place as it gets for families in some ways and yet we're still in search of somewhere that feels more community/family oriented and where the stressors are less.

You should be able to find that just about anywhere in America, but it exists predominately in small town/rural areas. It's a tradeoff in most cases, quality of life versus money. Very few areas in a city will offer both without being astronomically expensive.

My wife decided being home with the kids was more important than her career, but as a result we had to move out of the city. I was actually psyched because I prefer to be in areas where I don't smell exaust, am not exposed to constant benzene/chemicals all day, and can go fishing/hunting/hiking without getting into a vehicle.

[mamamaya]

Originally Posted by ness

I know this may sound crazy, but I think it is the more affluent/expensive areas that suffer from this kids with nannies and isolated/super planned out existence. Some of the less upscale neighborhoods seem to have kids playing in the cul de sac, riding bikes, enjoying BBQs and time with neighborhood kids. Maybe too much $$$$ isn't good for kids. ??? Just throwing this out there.

Not crazy...I totally agree...a therapist from the Bay Area recently wrote a book about how troubled over priveleged kids are...have to search out her name.

At least it makes me feel better that we're broke!

Chris, I agree it's a trade off...we tried rural when I decided to be a sahm(western MA) and I discovered it was not for me. Having to get in the car for absolutely everything (groceries, seeing friends, etc) really got me down, and we were very isolated because everyone commuted hrs to work. Not like english countryside where I grew up where you walk down to the village post office, pub, etc...though that is also fast disappearing.

We're seeking some kind of balance, but maybe there isn't one in this country. It's a country of extremes, it seems.

Unless Austin is the answer to all our woes

[ness]

mamamaya---
we've been looking at Gig Harbor b/c it seems to have a nice balance between properties with land that feel a bit more rual but also close to a cute little downtown and shopping, etc. My Mom is English and she's hoping that we decide to move to the PNW b/c she thinks it feels like England. I love the idea of living close enough to the harbor that I could walk down in the mornings and walk along the water and get a cup of coffee etc. I think Gig Harbor is an area where that would be possible......or at least live only a short drive from the harbor. Some of the neighborhoods have groups of houses on cul de sacs that seem to have an abundance of children. Seems pretty ideal. There are a lot of new developments there that have HOAs, which DH and I don't like. We'd rather buy into one of the older developments and live in a more relaxed environment. The best deal on houses there seem to be ones that were built in the 70s and 80s b/c they need updating. You seem to get a lot for your money if you're willing to do a little work updating.

[LMB]

Originally Posted by ness

I love the idea of living close enough to the harbor that I could walk down in the mornings and walk along the water

Ness, you just described my normal morning (and evening) walks in Poulsbo...and it's just as nice as you imagine. So serene and relaxing.

We love living in the older part of town with no HOAs (yay!), houses with character--no cookie-cutter neighborhoods, kids playing in the park down the street, moms and/or dads pushing strollers, neighbors walking dogs, etc. I know living in a small town in an older neighborhood isn't for everyone, but over the years we've lived in enough different areas to appreciate the advantages we have here.

Lynn

[mamamaya]

what's an HOA?