Active family with young kids (working in lower QA) - live in city or Eastside? (Seattle: for sale, how much)

[Seattle4321]

I said it in my previous post but no one commenete on it, so to get other people's thoughts the north area of west Seattle might be good for you guys too! I think at least.

Side note: I'm not too sure if Seattle public schools are that great. I went to highline public school recently and if they are anything alike seattle's school districts your kids should go to a private school.

[vsm78]

Thanks, all. This gives us some good info to think about. We will take our scouting trip soon and check out Magnolia, Upper Queen Anne, Ballard, Mercer Island, Redmond, and Kirkland at a minimum. When I started to look at amenities it dawned on me that I have no idea what to do with two young kids in a place where it rains so much! My kids were outside naked and playing at 7 this morning, and if they're inside too long, they are a bit like caged animals. This will be quite an adjustment.

[CrazyDonkey]

Seattle actually doesn't get that much rain - about 37" annually. We're much more likely to get drizzle than downpours. Being overcast, but dry or with a sprinkle or two, is pretty common here, particularly from late October through early April. Temperatures are generally pretty temperate (not too hot or too cold). We're up north, so we get short dark days in the winter, but long bright days in the summer. Your kids are probably more adaptable than you are.

[cmswazey]

It's often over 80 degrees in the summer. We have droughts.

[benleis]

Originally Posted by Seattle4321

I said it in my previous post but no one commenete on it, so to get other people's thoughts the north area of west Seattle might be good for you guys too! I think at least.

Side note: I'm not too sure if Seattle public schools are that great. I went to highline public school recently and if they are anything alike seattle's school districts your kids should go to a private school.

Highline and Seattle are not very similar school districts. They have fairly different demographics, profiles and strengths/challenges. That's not to say SPS doesn't have its problems, for one unlike Highline, SPS is growing rapidly (typically a 1000+ kids/year) and has been dealing with lack of capacity for the last few years.

[jjinla]

SoCal kids do not play in the rain. Mine still don't 3 years later. It comes down to this...for $1M do you want a 2,500 or less older home in a tiny lot close to work, or a 3,500 sq ft one on a cul de sac, but a 45 minute commute or more?

Truly, Seattle and the Eastside could not be more different. You either go over to Seattle and shudder thinking of how dirty and congested it is or shudder on the Eastside with visions of the Truman Show and think it is strerile and soulless.

FWIW I'd cross Ballard off the list unless you enjoy a ton of young hipsters. And West Seattle will take you as long to get to as the Eastside. Someone recently mentioned Kenmore but I can't speak to the commute there.

[evda]

Wow! Jjinia is a bit judgmental. Take her with a grain of salt.
North Seattle btw ship canal and 85th ( including Queen Anne / Magnolia) is good living and hard to complain about any of the schools. We have 3 young boys, live in Wallingford and don't want for much.

[tobester]

Originally Posted by jjinla

You either go over to Seattle and shudder thinking of how dirty and congested it is

Wow, I never realized I had been living in filth and congestion for the last 30 years. Quite the generalization you are making !

[jjinla]

Of course I was making generalizations. I was simply implying that both sides of the lake usually have very strong opinions about each other. Can you honestly say that most of your neighbors in Seattle have a favorable opinion of the Eastside?

If you look at earlier parts of the thread, I specifically said that QA and Magnolia are nice and that I have friends that are perfectly happy there. You are going to just get a smaller and older house for the same amount of money. That is a personal choice.

Truly, I have nothing against Seattle. The Eastside is far from perfect.

[vsm78]

Originally Posted by jjinla

SoCal kids do not play in the rain. Mine still don't 3 years later. It comes down to this...for $1M do you want a 2,500 or less older home in a tiny lot close to work, or a 3,500 sq ft one on a cul de sac, but a 45 minute commute or more?

Truly, Seattle and the Eastside could not be more different. You either go over to Seattle and shudder thinking of how dirty and congested it is or shudder on the Eastside with visions of the Truman Show and think it is strerile and soulless.

FWIW I'd cross Ballard off the list unless you enjoy a ton of young hipsters. And West Seattle will take you as long to get to as the Eastside. Someone recently mentioned Kenmore but I can't speak to the commute there.

I got your gist on this and appreciate your thoughts. I think you distilled it pretty well. Time for some soul searching...