Which would you rather live: Wealthy Neighborhood (South King County, Tacoma) vs Average Neighborhood (Eastside) (Federal Way: foreclosures, houses)

[DevanXL]

Growing up in Federal Way, I took my fair share (and well deserved) amount of jeers about the area. Tacoma and the Surrounding areas to the north were either too smelly, too gritty looking, not enough excitement, and not safe enough, for those who lived outside the area. Since I have grown up the area has gone through alot change for the better. In the South King County area you can find or build a nice large home for a reasonable price. Many of these wealthy areas include beautiful views of the Puget Sound, Mt Rainier, The Olympics, Cascades, Some get a view of all four. But for we it has always seemed that some people would prefer a home in a standard (no thrills) eastside neighborhood vs living in the south sound area.

Which would your rather live?

If commuting was not an issue, how would you choose where to live?

-Pros
-Cons

[Diana Holbrook]

I'd vote for further South and more acreage.

[Seacove]

Originally Posted by Diana Holbrook

I'd vote for further South and more acreage.

I'm in Woodinville where you have a nice neighborhood and acreage.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Diana Holbrook

I'd vote for further South and more acreage.

Actually, I was able to do that in the north end. Many of the lots there were double sized, and there were a couple of parcels that were the size of about 1/3 of a city block. The biggest ones have been divided up now, but there are still a few double lots left, I think. All of that, within walking distance of Northgate, imagine! It was a great neighborhood. Full of cedars.Not a "wealthy" neighborhood, either. There were a lot of small starter homes there, and quite a few immigrants, as well as UW faculty, retired folks, families.

[flyingsaucermom]

Tacoma has a relaxed, cool, coastal, unpretentious vibe and I would have TOTALLY preferred it, except it's not a desirable commute when the bread winner's job is in the Eastside.

[Akama13]

Average neighborhood on the Eastside for accessibility. I like being close to everything.

[mkarch]

The south end neighborhoods had much higher concentrations of foreclosures, prices dropped a lot further and haven't recovered as much. It looks as though there is still a decent shadow inventory of underwater properties down south, which could impact neighborhood quality and pricing going forward.

The Eastside is a healthier market overall, even if you get less for your money.

[DevanXL]

Originally Posted by mkarch

The south end neighborhoods had much higher concentrations of foreclosures, prices dropped a lot further and haven't recovered as much. It looks as though there is still a decent shadow inventory of underwater properties down south, which could impact neighborhood quality and pricing going forward.

The Eastside is a healthier market overall, even if you get less for your money.

True but alot of the Wealither Neighborhoods aren't really sellers markets. In the neighborhood I grew up near I can count on 1 hand how many homes were sold in the 18 years I lived there.

[Seacove]

Originally Posted by DevanXL

True but alot of the Wealither Neighborhoods aren't really sellers markets. In the neighborhood I grew up near I can count on 1 hand how many homes were sold in the 18 years I lived there.

How do you define a seller's market? A lot of our neighborhoods, the issue is no one wants to sell. That's not to say the houses wouldn't sell very fast if listed. It's just that no one wants to leave.

[DevanXL]

Originally Posted by Seacove

How do you define a seller's market? A lot of our neighborhoods, the issue is no one wants to sell. That's not to say the houses wouldn't sell very fast if listed. It's just that no one wants to leave.

Pretty much what I mean, probably should of rephrased it. But the houses I did see sell that were near Redondo Beach sold fairly quick. The houses that had the hardest time selling were the $900,000+ homes. Most people could find land and build a nice home in the area cheaper then that.