UW Bike Commute/ great public schools? (Seattle, Bellevue: home search, school district, living)

[mmuck]

Hi folks - it's looking likely that we'll be relocating to Seattle, with my husband working at UW.

We're coming from the Boston area, so the housing prices aren't a shock (and we're OK with small fixer-uppers). What I'm trying to do right now is figure out where can we live with excellent schools that's within a reasonable bike-commute distance (up to 1 hour/ 10 miles), where my kids won't be *completely* surrounded by families who go skiing in Aspen on the weekend (or whatever the local equivalent is). We're not rich!

I'm tempted to just look at Ravenna, but the 20% "not graduating in 4 years" rate at Roosevelt high school bothers me. I'm looking over Eastside on the Coldwell Banker Bain site, but it doesn't show bike routes and elevation gain/loss.

My husband commutes ca. 7 miles with one big (200 ft) hill by bike now. I'm confused by what I've read on-line about commuting over the 520 bridge. There's some sort of bike trail next to 520; are there bike lanes across the bridge? Is it really practical to plunk your bike on those front carriers to get across?

thank you,

mmuck

[scirocco22]

Hi mmuck. MANY folks bike to the U of W from the eastside using the bike racks on the buses. Currently, there is NO bike lane or pedestrian walkway on the SR520 bridge. That will change when the bridge gets rebuilt eventually ...it's years away, however.

Metro Transit is having some problems with the new 3-bike racks they recently retrofitted to the buses but they are working diligently on the problem. They are also researching different ways to provide service to bike commuters as there is a GREAT demand for the service as you can imagine.

One of the considered possibilities is to have bike lockers at the park and rides which are located close to the bridge. That way, a commuter could ride his/her bike to the lockers and then hop on the bus to downtown or the U of W. I believe they have that planned at the new Mercer Island P&R being currently rebuilt.

At any rate, yes, I'd recommend living on the eastside and commuting by bike instead of putting up the the marginal to mediocre public schools in the Seattle school district.

[Treefriend]

I-90 has a bike lane if you move to Bellevue.

I recommend looking in North and north of Seattle.

Wedgewood. Sand Point. Lake Forest Park. All these areas
have easy access to the Burke Gilman trail, which runs right through UW.

Even further around the lake...Kenmore, Juanita.

I used to live on JUanita Drive (a connecting route between North lake Wa and
Bellevue) and it's an easy ride to the trail.

That being said, Governor Gregoire is committed to rebuilding 520 soon
and the new bridge will have a bike lane, so there will be a more direct
route from the east side by bike. As it is now, you have to ride around the lake
in either direction to get to Seattle.

[scirocco22]

Consider the eastside if you are concerned about schools.

[Treefriend]

[b]View Ridge is a nice residential area

I did a drive though this afternoon...


Moderator cut: image deleted

The view from this rental...that body
of water is Lake Washington. The bike trail paralles it.
Only a couple miles to UW.




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[scirocco22]

Kids will still be going to Roosevelt, though.

[woodinvilleguy]

I'm a biker and can answer most of your questions about elevations. First, the Puget sound area is hilly (very hilly) But if you find a place close to the Burke-Gilman trail, your husband can bike commute to the UW. It is very flat. With the distance you are looking at, the furthest out would be Kenmore from the UW. Maybe Lake City...

You'll find the biking in Seattle is great. Don't forget to get fenders and gore-tex :-)

[sean98125]

The Northshore School District is supposed to be good, and you'll be close to the Burke-Gilman.

[BostonBorn]

mmuck, my wife and I are relocating from Boston to the Seattle area at the end of this year. When are you and your family moving? If you'd like, perhaps we can e-mail each other and share what we learn.

Either way, best of luck with your home search and your move!