Moving to Seattle Family of 6 (Burien, Rainier: rent, house prices, preschools)

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by Gaylord_Focker

West Seattle starts in the 500's? Asking for me, not OP.

Mostly for 3bd/2ba houses. Most of the 4bd/2ba houses for under $600k are in Delridge or Rainier Beach. You have to decide whether you're willing to bet your children on the future. Best scenario - gentrifying 'hood with an "8" elementary.

[maddieinoz]

How long would a commute from somewhere like Wallingford or NE Seattle be to Highline in a ballpark range?

And regarding West Seattle... I know this has been touched upon but what are the best areas in terms of walkability and proximity to best schools? We are happy to rent as well so we can keep our Aussie home until the Aussie market improves.

[homesinseattle]

Originally Posted by maddieinoz

How long would a commute from somewhere like Wallingford or NE Seattle be to Highline in a ballpark range?

And regarding West Seattle... I know this has been touched upon but what are the best areas in terms of walkability and proximity to best schools? We are happy to rent as well so we can keep our Aussie home until the Aussie market improves.

Hi Maddie, I think the Admiral area of West Seattle would make you happy in a number of ways. Hard to answer your question about NE Seattle/Wallingford to Highline. What time of day there and back? I'm guessing 45 minutes but can be worse when I-5 plugs up. That's why West Seattle would be so much better, I know i'm repeating myself but I can't stress it enough.

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by maddieinoz

How long would a commute from somewhere like Wallingford or NE Seattle be to Highline in a ballpark range?

And regarding West Seattle... I know this has been touched upon but what are the best areas in terms of walkability and proximity to best schools? We are happy to rent as well so we can keep our Aussie home until the Aussie market improves.

Wallingford or NE Seattle to Highline would be very unpredictable, with several major bottlenecks along the way. The Viaduct comes down in another month or so, which means you'll need to pay a toll, both ways. In general, commuting from North to South Seattle is not a good idea.

West Seattle is a much better idea. Walkable: North Admiral (California Ave SW & SW Admiral Way), the Junction (California Ave SW & SW Alaska St), and Alki. Also, look at the Fauntleroy neighborhood, which gives you access to Lincoln Park (for walks) and Westwood Village (for shopping: Target, QFC, Barnes & Noble).

Schools: Alki Elementary "9", Fairmont Park Elementary "9", Genesee Hills Elementary "8". Don't worry about the middle or high school - the elementaries will populate those schools.

[Gaylord_Focker]

Originally Posted by CrazyDonkey

Wallingford or NE Seattle to Highline would be very unpredictable, with several major bottlenecks along the way. The Viaduct comes down in another month or so, which means you'll need to pay a toll, both ways. In general, commuting from North to South Seattle is not a good idea.

West Seattle is a much better idea. Walkable: North Admiral (California Ave SW & SW Admiral Way), the Junction (California Ave SW & SW Alaska St), and Alki. Also, look at the Fauntleroy neighborhood, which gives you access to Lincoln Park (for walks) and Westwood Village (for shopping: Target, QFC, Barnes & Noble).

Schools: Alki Elementary "9", Fairmont Park Elementary "9", Genesee Hills Elementary "8". Don't worry about the middle or high school - the elementaries will populate those schools.

Pretty rare for schools inside any major cities to be rated so high.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by maddieinoz

How long would a commute from somewhere like Wallingford or NE Seattle be to Highline in a ballpark range?
.

It will make you hate life.

[homesinseattle]

Originally Posted by Gaylord_Focker

Pretty rare for schools inside any major cities to be rated so high.

Yeah, we have many beautiful neighborhoods that ring the downtown core pretty closely, somewhat unique in America.

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by Gaylord_Focker

Pretty rare for schools inside any major cities to be rated so high.

Test scores tend to be correlated with family income. Active and engaged parents and staff can make a difference. More and more professional families are moving into Seattle proper, to shorten soul-sucking commutes. An interesting pocket:

Rainier View Elementary "8":

Test Scores "8",
Student Progress "7",
Equity Overview "10" ("Disadvantaged students at this school are performing far better than other students in the state, and this school is successfully closing the achievement gap."),
Low-Income Students "9" ("Test scores for low income students at this school are far above the state average for all students.).

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...homes_profiles

[homesinseattle]

Originally Posted by CrazyDonkey

Test scores tend to be correlated with family income. Active and engaged parents and staff can make a difference. More and more professional families are moving into Seattle proper, to shorten soul-sucking commutes. An interesting pocket:

Rainier View Elementary "8":

Test Scores "8",
Student Progress "7",
Equity Overview "10" ("Disadvantaged students at this school are performing far better than other students in the state, and this school is successfully closing the achievement gap."),
Low-Income Students "9" ("Test scores for low income students at this school are far above the state average for all students.).

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...homes_profiles

Really heartening to see these scores, thanks for sharing. Yes CrazyDonkey, Rainier Beach and the Lakeridge areas are pretty hot right now, nice value for money.

[maddieinoz]

Thanks everyone! CLEARLY I have no concept of the traffic. How fast dongouses typically stay on the market in desirable locations? Do houses often go for more than asking price? Or does it depend?