Vashon: best neighborhoods for families (Seattle: city hall, houses, good schools)

[broookie]

My family is seriously considering a move to Vashon Island. We have one daughter and may not have any more kids. Can anyone tell me which specific neighborhoods/areas on Vashon Island (if any) have higher concentrations of families with school age kids? Ideally, I'd like to live somewhere where it's pretty easy to make neighborhood connections.

Thanks!

[DevanXL]

Originally Posted by broookie

My family is seriously considering a move to Vashon Island. We have one daughter and may not have any more kids. Can anyone tell me which specific neighborhoods/areas on Vashon Island (if any) have higher concentrations of families with school age kids? Ideally, I'd like to live somewhere where it's pretty easy to make neighborhood connections.

Thanks!

I'll be honest, ive never set foot on Vashon Island so take my advice as a grain of salt. But Ive looked extensively at satellite images of the island. The coastline mostly beach houses and large estates (probably very few families). The inner harbor between Maury and Vashon Island seems to have somewhat of a concentration of houses. I would imagine near the schools would have more family neighborhoods. Vashon is a weird place though. Alot of weekend homes there. Maybe even calling the city hall and asking about neighborhoods in the city may be good. I dont think alot of people on this forum have ever lived there but I could be mistaken. Maybe even taking a trip into the town for a day and ask the locals.A realtor may be your best bet.

[homesinseattle]

I lived on Vashon for three years, magical place. You really can't go wrong for location, the island is almost one big community. I lived near the north end, liked being able to hop the boat easily into Seattle when I wanted some big city culture or obscure ethnic food. The island is quite an interesting place, a throwback in many ways. I had friends who lived in waterfront estates, others who actually lived in tepees or tree houses.

[mrsengle]

What are the schools like there? What is the commute into Seattle like? Is it equivalent to a commute from Bainbridge?

[homesinseattle]

Committed teachers, really good schools. If you are commuting in a car, it's more difficult than Bainbridge, the car ferry goes to Fauntleroy-West Seattle. When you dock, you'll have a 15 minute drive downtown with no traffic. With traffic, it can be as much as 40 min.

There is also a passenger only ferry that goes directly into downtown Seattle, much easier commute.

[broookie]

Thanks DevanXL and homesinseattle. We toured some properties with a realtor last weekend and she also said that the whole island is a community, more or less. Given the ways homes are distributed, you're almost guaranteed to be driving your kids to and from play dates at people's houses.

[CrazyDonkey]

The schools are very good. Home-schooling, either part- or full-time, is a real option.

Vashon's alternative education program offers families support - Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber

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