Where To Live in Seattle if Awesome View of Water is a MUST? (Bellevue: condos, new home)

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by tekniskagal

Man, the weather looks soo awesome . Does Seattle have a huge mosquito problem? I don't know much about the environment in which they do or DON'T breed - I just know I can't stand them.

Also, another random question...are fireplaces common in the area?

No, no mosquito problem. It's probably too cool for them most of the time, or maybe there aren't large pools of standing water around. If you go camping in the woods or the islands, there are mosquitos. But not in the city.

[Bill Loney]

Originally Posted by tekniskagal

Man, the weather looks soo awesome . Does Seattle have a huge mosquito problem? I don't know much about the environment in which they do or DON'T breed - I just know I can't stand them.

Also, another random question...are fireplaces common in the area?

Not a huge problem at all, just don't move in next door to stagnant water. Fireplaces are fairly common. New building often have the fake ones though.

[zdogg]

I second the West Seattle views. Alki would be a nice area for you to bike and walk.

[Rob Allen]

Alki Beach was the first name in my mind when I read the thread title.

[Xeon1210]

There are several apartments in Belltown that meet your criteria. In that price range you should be able to get something up or out; up on a higher floor or out towards the waterfront. Get as close to the water as possible because obviously builders can and do obstruct views. The only places in DT/BT AFAIK that are semi view safe are the Waterfront Landings (Alaska Way) and the condos in front of the old spaghetti factory(historic building) on Western Ave because they are about as close to the water as you can get. The others along the waterfront "can" be view safe as some along the waterfront are zoned to a max height that includes residential uses, so anything west on a higher floor might be ok as long as the zoning stays in place.

There are also a contingent of buildings DT that will benefit greatly from the teardown of the Alaska Way viaduct. I would scope these places out because they may be cheap now (due to viaduct blockage) until their water views are revealed.

[anemone22]

Your last view is GORGEOUS!

Like many others have stated, West Seattle sounds perfect for you. Lake Washington is also really nice too, if you want to check out places near the shoreline by Kirkland and Bellevue (probably more $$ than West Seattle though).

[Hemlock140]

We do have mosquitos on the eastside where there are no sidewalks and the ditches or water retention ponds have water through about July. Still not what I would consider a big problem. Rarely have I seen them in Seattle. Fireplaces are very common, we have two. Newer water-view condos are more likely to be gas or even fake electric.

[mkarch]

You'll probably notice this the more you look, but Seattle has very few areas with apartments or condos near the water. Most of the existing buildings were built in the 1960's, after which either the city banned them or just stopped issuing permits near the sound or Lake Washington.

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by mkarch

You'll probably notice this the more you look, but Seattle has very few areas with apartments or condos near the water. Most of the existing buildings were built in the 1960's, after which either the city banned them or just stopped issuing permits near the sound or Lake Washington.

You can find a new home here and there on Lake Sammamish, both on the Bellevue and Sammamish sides.

[tekniskagal]

Thanks for all the responses guys. BTW, are there rental agents that specialize in this thing? Might be an idea to hire someone if time is limited....