quiet/rural locations commutable to Seattle (Tacoma, Federal Way: apartment, renting, theater)

[gresford]

My wife and I just moved to Seattle from NJ 7 months ago. We are currently renting a small apartment in Seattle and quite honestly we have had enough.

We are looking to relocate somewhere south of Seattle in the next few months. (She currently works in Burien as a teacher but will probably be taking a job in Auburn next school year).

I currently take public transportation and I do not mind commuting 1+ hours each way to work (as long as it is on a bus or train). We would like to relocate somewhere quieter and a little more rural than Seattle. Some places that we have driven through that we (or I should say I) like include Puyallup and Enumclaw. My concern is that her commute be comfortable from Auburn.

Any suggestions for a nice city to live in close to Auburn and commutable to Seattle by public transportation?

Thanks!

[Fallingwaters]

Edit, nevermind, I responded without considering your close to public transportation requirement.

[FoxyKnox]

I would stay away from Puyallup. Your wife's commute to Auburn would be at least 30 min each way...on a good day. Plus Puyallup really isn't very rural and quiet anymore... Enumclaw and Maple Valley may suit your needs. Black Diamond is kind of the rural suburb of Auburn, and for all of Auburn's reputation as a bit "rough around the edges" (mostly downtown), Black Diamond is really quite nice (The BD bakery is phenomenal!). Public Transportation directly may be tough, but peppered throughout the area are park and rides. Also Auburn recently built a new transit center, from which you can catch a multitude of busses, or the sounder commuter train. The more I think about it, Black Diamond probably would suit you really well...there's a park and ride just off of Hwy 18 at Auburn-Black Diamond Rd...and guess where that takes you!? ;-)

[CityGirl72]

I'd say Maple Valley or Black DIamond - are quite nice - but nothing of what you want is commutable by Public Transportation - unless you think over 60 to 90 minutes is commutable

[Deep_Vee]

Check out the Edgewood area of Puyallup (North Hill, situated between Puyallup proper, Milton, Federal Way, and Sumner). It's a really odd rurually area in the middle of much more city feeling areas. It's not too far from the Federal Way transit centers, or the train in Sumner, and the commute to Auburn is probably 20-30 minutes tops.

My wife has some family down there and we considered moving down there before my wife got a job North of Seattle - eliminating the possibility of a commute for us.

Good Luck.

[MaikeerinWA]

The aforementioned Sumner is worth looking at, given that there is a Sounder stop there.

[gresford]

Thanks for the suggestions. Now, at least, I have a starting point.

[ginanews]

You know downtown Tacoma, the old section, is really very cool! You have Amtrack and the Sounder. The theaters, museums, events and the great walking trail that goes on for miles.
I would never recommend the mall area, wow. But hey I don't know anywhere else that has a krispy kreme.
Nothing like a long drive on a sunny afternoon, nothing but a map and the road.
Hey I love that stuff.
Gina