NEED ADVICE! Moving from South OC Cali to Sammamish/Issaquah Wa.

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by chevytruc1658

Thanks for all your feedback thus far! What is everyone's opinion on Snoqualmie?

Very tough commute to Kent. A little less tough to Seattle, easier to Bellevue.

[Unicorn hunter]

Kent is pretty big....might depend on what area of Kent your job is in, but Covington or Maple Valley seem like they would work....there are back ways to avoid at least some of the traffic into Kent...but again, depends on exactly where in Kent you are talking about.

[Hemlock140]

That Walmart in Renton is, unfortunately one of the worst crime areas in western WA. There are two in Bellevue, where there are no worries. As for Sammamish, our older (1978) 3,000 sf home is valued at under $700k, and we still see smaller 2,200-2,500 sf homes even a bit newer in the 500s but they go fast. Brand new 4,000sf starts at about 1 million.
I commute to Seattle every day, and your work hours are the key. I work 6-2:30 and when I drive it's not a bad commute,
40 minutes out, 50 back. By bus it's a lot longer but I can relax and enjoy the iPad.

[chevytruc1658]

Thanks, everyone. I am seeing that the parts of Kent closest to Covington and Maple Valley seem to be much nicer areas, and a couple of the elementary schools that one of you recommended are rated very high. We found some homes in our price range that we really like, however, the Middle School was rated very low, and my oldest would be starting Middle School this fall. Does anyone have any insight on why the school is rated so low, and if there are any other alternatives aside from private?

[razmatazzy]

You should check out the schools in Maple Valley, the tahoma school district is supposed to be good.
The commute to Kent may not be too bad depending on where in Kent.
Also, you get more house for your dollar in Maple Valley

[misscross]

Originally Posted by razmatazzy

You should check out the schools in Maple Valley, the tahoma school district is supposed to be good.
The commute to Kent may not be too bad depending on where in Kent.
Also, you get more house for your dollar in Maple Valley

A teacher friend of mine chose Maple Valley for her own children. Enough said. Look at MV

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by chevytruc1658

Thanks, everyone. I am seeing that the parts of Kent closest to Covington and Maple Valley seem to be much nicer areas, and a couple of the elementary schools that one of you recommended are rated very high. We found some homes in our price range that we really like, however, the Middle School was rated very low, and my oldest would be starting Middle School this fall. Does anyone have any insight on why the school is rated so low, and if there are any other alternatives aside from private?

Middle schools draw from a wider area. If looking at GreatSchools rankings, realize that they are 100% based on test scores, which are highly correlated with family income. Check Niche for ratings/grades based on a list of criteria.

[CAMama]

Originally Posted by chevytruc1658

Thanks, everyone. I am seeing that the parts of Kent closest to Covington and Maple Valley seem to be much nicer areas, and a couple of the elementary schools that one of you recommended are rated very high. We found some homes in our price range that we really like, however, the Middle School was rated very low, and my oldest would be starting Middle School this fall. Does anyone have any insight on why the school is rated so low, and if there are any other alternatives aside from private?

What middle school are you talking about?

Ridgewood, Lake Youngs, and Carriage Crest feed into Northwood Middle which is rated pretty highly (8). Northwood feeds into Kentridge HS, which is also rated highly.