Lake Forest Park - flood me with info (Seattle, Bellevue: for sale, real estate)

[VirtualErik]

I just learned of this area of Seattle and would like as much info as possible on it so that I may learn more about the area, in terms of living, either renting or buying and anything else. Cost of living and safe areas, places to avoid and ect. Things to do, places to see and shop, restaurants, everything!

Thanks!

[BellevueNative]

Lake Forest Park is its own town, not a part of Seattle. It is part of the Shoreline School District (good schools), it's very safe, and is almost all residential. It has a small strip mall with a grocery store, book store, bakery and a couple restaurants. But it's a lovely place to live - lots of older Craftsman style homes amidst the trees. Some of the properties are waterfront, and others have membership/access to the Civic Club on the waterfront deeded in property ownership. It is convenient to I-5.

[mkarch]

Generally a nice area but very suburban (Hence the things to do, places to shop, restaurants etc... are more limited and you'll probably have to go elsewhere) Most of it was built out in the 50's and 60's and being a little further out you can find more affordable housing - especially notable are the large number of mid century moderns available well below prices you find in Seattle. Much of it is heavily forested which is both beautiful and a bit dark.

Other bonus: you can find lake view properties at a relative bargain! I've seen some nice large view homes up there for under $500K.

[Ira500]

I've often thought of Lake Forest Park as one of those unknown cool areas. Not cool in the " appeals to 20 somethings" cool, but it has views of mountains and water, curvy roads, hills, big trees, and lots of cool old 50's houses with big windows. Also, I wouldn't call the mall a strip mall. It's bigger than that and has more character. Some of it is inside, including the food court with independent, non chain eateries. The mall actually has two bakeries, and not just a bookstore but Third Place Books, one of the best bookstores in the Seattle area.

[Ira500]

Lake Forest Park is relatively inexpensive, but it's mostly single family houses, so there would only be a limited amount of places to rent.

[mikester007]

The part of LFP east of Lake City Way is probably the best kept secret in all of the Seattle area. It's far enough to be peaceful yet close enough to all the city life.

It's close to virtually everything:
10 minute drive to U-Village
15 minute drive to Green Lake or Wallingford or Fremont
20 minute commute during rush hour to downtown Seattle on I-5 Express
25 minute drive to downtown Kirkland
30 minute drive to Bellevue
30 minute drive to West Seattle

Yet, for $600k you can get a 3000 sqft sweeping lake view house that's a 5 minute walk to the Burke Gilman Trail.

[Gaylord_Focker]

Originally Posted by mikester007

The part of LFP east of Lake City Way is probably the best kept secret in all of the Seattle area. It's far enough to be peaceful yet close enough to all the city life.

It's close to virtually everything:
10 minute drive to U-Village
15 minute drive to Green Lake or Wallingford or Fremont
20 minute commute during rush hour to downtown Seattle on I-5 Express
25 minute drive to downtown Kirkland
30 minute drive to Bellevue
30 minute drive to West Seattle

Yet, for $600k you can get a 3000 sqft sweeping lake view house that's a 5 minute walk to the Burke Gilman Trail.

doesn't sound bad at all

[VirtualErik]

sounds like its right there where the action is but just outside of it enough to not be bothered by daily city stuff, definitely going to check into this further.

[BellevueNative]

Originally Posted by mikester007

The part of LFP east of Lake City Way is probably the best kept secret in all of the Seattle area. It's far enough to be peaceful yet close enough to all the city life.

It's close to virtually everything:
10 minute drive to U-Village
15 minute drive to Green Lake or Wallingford or Fremont
20 minute commute during rush hour to downtown Seattle on I-5 Express
25 minute drive to downtown Kirkland
30 minute drive to Bellevue
30 minute drive to West Seattle


Yet, for $600k you can get a 3000 sqft sweeping lake view house that's a 5 minute walk to the Burke Gilman Trail.

Show me one of those houses. 3000 sq ft in walking distance of BG Trail, yes, but it will not have lake views. If it does, it will be a pit or in need of major updating.

$600k homes for sale in LFP currently:

http://www.redfin.com/WA/Lake-Forest...155/home/90115
http://www.redfin.com/WA/Lake-Forest...155/home/93089
http://www.redfin.com/WA/Lake-Forest...155/home/92451 (on a hill known for slides)
http://www.redfin.com/WA/Lake-Forest...155/home/94092

Ok, so I did find this one (which was shocking), but it looks like it's never been updated: http://www.redfin.com/WA/Lake-Forest...155/home/89887

I like LFP, but lake view homes are expensive no matter where they are.

[rockyinyourradio]

I looked into Lake Forest Park.. I thought based on some real estate sites that it was very pricey.. way over my budget. Are there any townhomes or especially apartments for rent in Lake Forest Park? I know it's a pretty safe area too and very scenic with lots of huge trees to boot.