Relocating to Bellevue area ... commute times, family neighborhoods? (Seattle, Renton: to rent, home)

[TK488]

My husband is flying out for a job interview in Bellevue this week and I've been checking out the surrounding cities/neighborhoods. We've got two kids in elem and a preschooler. I work at home online, so no commute for me. We would have to rent first, but would like a 3-bedroom home. I'm pretty dismayed with the housing options I've seen on Zillow and Craigslist. Currently we live in a newer 4-bedroom/3.5 bath, 2300 square feet for $1350/mo. It's in a lovely, kid friendly neighborhood with shopping, schools, parks and restaurants all in a walkable distance. My husband's "commute" is 10 minutes.

We will probably be able to afford 2,200/mo. at the most if we move to the Bellevue area. Any suggestions of an area that would be in any way like our current living situation? I was thinking Issaquah looked nice, but I don't want my hubby to commute more than 30-40 minutes. How long is the commute during rush hour from center Bellevue to Issaquah? Or Renton? Thanks in advance!

[Hemlock140]

I used to commute from Bellevue to Sammamish, through Issaquah for 16 years. Despite being only 10 miles, it can take 20 minutes just to get to the I90 freeway from Bellevue, then another 10-15 depending on traffic. Renton is about the same distance but add 10-15 minutes since the highway 405 commute is one of the worst in the area and almost always backed up. I would also be surprised if you could find a 3 bedroom for $2,200 in Issaquah, parts of Bellevue (Lake Hills & Crossroads areas) are probably closer to that, but you would have to go Renton or even farther out to find many at that price, such as Maple Valley, Auburn, Covington or north to Lynnwood. If you are moving from a state with income tax you will save some as we have none here, but our housing, like much of the west coast is much higher than other states and going up fast.

[ilovekotatsu]

Where do you live now?

[Ira500]

If you found something in the northern part of Renton, or the Renton Highlands, you can avoid taking 405 by taking either Lake Washington Blvd or Coal Creek, and the commute would be less than 30 minutes most of the time. Kennydale is a nice neighborhood in the northern part of Renton with a great elementary school, and McKnight's a decent middle school. You can find a three bedroom in Renton for 2200, but it won't be brand new.

[CrazyDonkey]

The Bothell area can have somewhat lower rents and has excellent schools. Commute (on I-405) should be in the 20-30 minutes range. To judge commute times, see:

95% Reliable Travel Times

[drewba]

A lot of the commute time from Issaquah depends on when you leave. I carpool through Issaquah (from Sammamish) and get to downtown Bellevue in 25-30 minutes. However, we leave around 6:50. If you're a single driver leaving at 7:30 or 8:00 on a rainy day, I could easily see it taking 45 minutes to get from Sammamish to Bellevue. My guess is that leaving from Issaquah would take 5-10 minutes off of those commute times. There is also a bus from Issaquah to downtown Bellevue (Sound Transit 556). It isn't particularly speedy, but it is no-stress.

In general, commutes on I-90 are less congested than commutes on I-405. Having lived in Renton prior to Issaquah, I'd encourage you to try and find a way to live on the I-90 corridor instead of I-405 if you're driving instead of taking the bus.

[TK488]

Thanks so much for the responses! They have been extremely helpful.

[Kalex]

I live in SW Issaquah, closer to Renton. My daughter goes to school in north Bellevue - right near Microsoft- and I do this every day. I take either 90 to 148th or East Lake Sammammish. It's never taken longer than 30 minutes (unless there's an accident, which is rare). Typically it's around 25. Getting to DT Bellevue would add at least 10 minutes due to traffic. If you live up in the Highlands/Klahanie, or are dependent on Front Street in any way, it will take a good deal longer.