Commute time...working in Tacoma, hubby working in Bellevue (Seattle: house, to live)

[movingtoseatac]

Hi all,
My husband and I are looking to move to the Seattle area. He likely will have a job in Bellevue and I would have a job in Tacoma... Where would be the best place for us to live so the commute is not horrendous for us? Do you think a commute from Newcastle to Tacoma in the morning is doable?

Thank you so much for your help!!

[Kayela]

I work in Redmond, and the co-worker who sits next to me lives in Tacoma (south part), and commutes daily. He is part of a vanpool, and it usually takes him ~1 hr, from the Park 'n Ride to work, however, on bad traffic nights it can easily take him 2+ hours. I will also note that he is here around 7:30 and out of here by 4:30. So yes, it's doable, but can be highly unpleasant.

I'm pretty sure he'd rather live somewhere between, but he and his wife have a lot of family there, they can afford a lot more house there, and her job is there. This way only one of them is on the road. They also have a little one, and it seems very helpful to have one parent close by in case he needs to be picked up early, taken to appts, etc.. Dunno if you have kids or not, but that might be a consideration.

[Hemlock140]

Newcastle gives you the worst stretch of commute in the area (405) for both of you. Though there are surface streets into Bellevue those are also jammed. I would look at Maple Valley or Covington, and use highway 18 to I5 for Tacoma, 18 to Issaquah/Hobart Rd and then I90 to Bellevue.

[Prple]

Hmm, maybe you could move somewhere along the Sounder line so that the person who works in Tacoma could use the Sounder to commute. Tacoma to Bellevue could take up to 2 hours each way in traffic; I know someone who commutes from Puyallup to Bellevue every day. If it was me, I might consider moving to Maple Valley, Normandy Park or Lakeland Hills in Auburn. New Castle could work too, but its still pretty long for the Tacoma driver. These are just some suggestions...

[Ira500]

Why not Renton?

[Prince Mongo]

Just as a point of reference, I live in West Seattle and commute to south Tacoma. The drive in the morning takes 40 minutes and the evening drive is usually around 50 minutes. I am going against traffic, so I'm always moving at least 60 mph down I-5.

[amaiunmei]

Originally Posted by Prince Mongo

Just as a point of reference, I live in West Seattle and commute to south Tacoma. The drive in the morning takes 40 minutes and the evening drive is usually around 50 minutes. I am going against traffic, so I'm always moving at least 60 mph down I-5.

Piggybacking on this thought: there is a direct bus between West Seattle and Bellevue:

560 | Bellevue - Sea-Tac - W. Seattle - SoundTransit

[yakn4ever]

I agree with Ira500, Renton, specifically Fairwood area, is where we picked and we like it so far. We are in the same situation, with one commuting to Tacoma, and the other about to commute to the north. I405 is all clogged up right there, so I would not go any further North, and if I go north during the day, I am taking back roads.

[blaserbrad]

I would look for homes in Auburn, Kent, or Renton. They are right in between the two cities

[homesinseattle]

I'm just feeling Burien for you, it really has come a long way. The homes near Three Tree Point are lovely.