Thinking about moving to Seattle to raise my family (low crime, homes)

[homesinseattle]

You'll get the most for your money in Sammamish of the places you've mentioned. $1 mil doesn't go as far as you think out here. Might want to consider Newport Hills (South Bellevue) too.

[misscross]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

The cities you already mentioned, plus Kirkland and Issaquah all have great schools and areas where kids play outside. We are in Sammamish and every afternoon there are 12-20 kids playing in the street across from us (dead end court). Mercer Island has very little shopping or restaurants, but is a short 10 minute drive to the best Asian food, in Seattle's International District (longer at commute time). Bellevue has some Asian restaurants, fewer in Redmond and Kirkland and Issaquah, only one in Sammamish.

the best Asian food isn't in the International district. It's in Bellevue scattered all over little strip malls. It's like LA where really nobody goes to Chinatown for Chinese food or is it even called Chinatown anymore? Same here. Bellevue school district is excellent in part due to the demographics there which you can easily see on various sites. Neighboring Eastside communities of Issaquah, Kirkland, Redmond are also all great choices as they border Bellevue.

Sammamish is too residential suburban for my tastes and it lacks good access to freeways.

[homesinseattle]

Bothell is another option, very good schools and you get more house for your money.

[DevanXL]

Originally Posted by misscross

the best Asian food isn't in the International district. It's in Bellevue scattered all over little strip malls. It's like LA where really nobody goes to Chinatown for Chinese food or is it even called Chinatown anymore? Same here. Bellevue school district is excellent in part due to the demographics there which you can easily see on various sites. Neighboring Eastside communities of Issaquah, Kirkland, Redmond are also all great choices as they border Bellevue.

Sammamish is too residential suburban for my tastes and it lacks good access to freeways.

IDK if Bellevue has the best. Federal Way is pretty solid for Asian food. If you are ever in Federal Way I recommend Tokyo-ya ramen. Best in the area!

https://seattle.eater.com/maps/best-...al-way-seattle

[Seacove]

Big difference between Houston and Seattle and honestly, the weather in Houston is probably a better fit for someone used to Las Vegas and Orange County.

[RotseCherut]

Just a million for a home, quite modest Seattle also has quite a bit more blue collar than some people realize as well.

[cis_love]

i am also from socal and really love how here in the seattle burbs my kids are constantly playing outside with the neighborhood gang. this NEVER happened in LA. but here it's very common, very community oriented and very neighborly. in our neighborhood some old ugly fixer uppers have been going for 750K so i do not think 1M will get you very far. but you'll be in a great neighborhood and school district (no need for private school)

[homesinseattle]

cis, keep in mind that those fixer uppers are more popular than you know, and probably getting bid up quite a bit with multiple offers when they come on the market. People actually like things they can remodel and put their own tastes into.

[Gardyloo]

Originally Posted by mmgoodies

I love Asian food, so maybe Mercer island is just too isolating?

On the contrary. Mercer Island is much closer in time terms to the International District, or to the eastside Asian "hot spots," than most Seattle neighborhoods. MI used to have a rather stodgy and insular reputation, but that's changing very rapidly with the influx of younger families. The downtown area is increasingly hip, with a fun farmers' market and cafes etc. popping up. Luther Burbank Park, on the lake just north of "downtown" MI, is one of the region's real gems. And transit options - buses to downtown Seattle or Bellevue, plus light rail on the way - are as good or better than most parts of the region.

Obviously you need to come for a tour, and do so sometime NOT during the summer, so you can get a feel for the weather and lifestyle when you're not surrounded by a bazillion tourists.

[Akama13]

Bellevue is almost 30 % Asian if that makes a difference. I think you should look at the tam o'shanter area specifically, it's very pretty and close to everything including the awesome tam o'shanter park with a zip line and a hiking trail. Lots of asian food options within a 10 minute drive or less. Bennett elementary is a very good school, too, and the high school has an IB program.