Possible relocation to Seattle

[VeronikaW]

Originally Posted by jdmrider

Rent, at the beginning, I would think I could afford around 15-18 hundred for rent. I will have a first grader and a 4th grader. So good schools are a must.

If you're going to rent first, we live in the Issaquah Highlands (we have a fairly new elementary school), and we have a 3 bedroom 1600+ square foot townhome that we rent for about $1700/month.

It's very, very family friendly here, and you can commute downtown on the bus (the park and ride is less than a mile from our house), and it's like a 30-45 minute bus ride.

V. =)

[Prple]

Originally Posted by VeronikaW

If you're going to rent first, we live in the Issaquah Highlands (we have a fairly new elementary school), and we have a 3 bedroom 1600+ square foot townhome that we rent for about $1700/month.

It's very, very family friendly here, and you can commute downtown on the bus (the park and ride is less than a mile from our house), and it's like a 30-45 minute bus ride.

V. =)

Issaquah Highlands is really nice, if you could find something there to rent. Here is some more info:

Issaquah Highlands New Homes & Homebuilders in Issaquah

//www.city-data.com/forum/seatt...highlands.html

[jdmrider]

Thanks to all of you for the information. This is a very difficult decision, as you could imagine. I am actually flying in next week and staying for about a week, to drive to different areas and such.

Anymore information would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks alot1

[kaps1121]

We moved to WA a few years ago and decided on Snoqualmie Ridge. It has been a great place to live with school age children, super family friendly. Most people have been so welcoming. There are social events planned thru the Owner's Assocation for adults and for families. We are invited for impromptu cookouts often by neighbors. The community is full of new WA residents from all over the country, and others raised in WA or more specifically the Seattle/Bellevue area.

There is a new elementary school in the first phase whose staff and principal are great. There is a growing retail section which has restaurants, shops, a library, dry cleaners, spa, hair salon, daycare/preschool, IGA grocery (which is just ok, not like a large chain), a local coffe shop and a Starbucks (a must for any new Northwesterner!). A gas station is to open soon as well. There a parks all around the subdivisions, trails for biking and running. The views of the Cascade Range and Mount Si are amazing, Mount Rainier out my son's classroom window on a clear day!

Your travel time to Seattle should run you 45 minutes and easily under an hour, depending upon traffic of course. Snoqualmie Ridge is east on I-90 from Seattle and Bellevue.

The beauty of the location is being able to go west into Bellevue in 20-25 minutes, downtown in 40-45, or east to Snoqualmie Pass to ski, board, snowmobile, or tube in 25 minutes. There is so much to do and see to explore the region by a couple hour drive.

Here is the ROA site
Snoqualmie Ridge News, Links and Events
If you golf we have a fabulous Jack Nicklaus designed golf course in the neighborhood. Washington Golf Club - Seattle Private Golf Course - TPC at Snoqualmie Ridge The seniors tournament in August is a fun-filled event bring in big names from all over. Golf or social memberships are another way to meet more people.

There are rentals or leases sometimes available on the Ridge. IMO, it has been the perfect choice for us.

[2PAK]

Here are the facts:

You dont have to go all the way to Puylallup, check out Kent and Federal Way. There are many good neighborhoods and homes in the low 300's in both cities. Yes, the commute sucks into Seattle downtown but you can actually buy an affordable and nice home. Schools are another story.

Schools in Western Washington have always been a roll of the dice. You get what you pay for which is another way of saying it's mostly better in areas where home prices are higher e.g., the eastside Redmond/Sammamish/Issaquah plataeu and Snoqualmie Ridge (if you enjoy wind). And, Seattle schools?

By the way, forget Snoqualmie Ridge, you cant afford it on $70k income unless you happen to have a big down payment. Renting is a better option there.

On your income, the best bet is to rent only in the best area you can afford if schools are the main issue for your family.

[allforcats]

jdmrider, if you're looking on a map, that's actually spelled Puyallup.

[Ira500]

...and correctly pronounce pyoo-wallup?

[allforcats]

Originally Posted by Ira500

...and correctly pronounce pyoo-wallup?

Hahahahahahaha!!! And we're back where we started!!!! Hahahahaha!!!

[Prple]

I thought of another place to add to your list:
Renton: There is a part of Renton that belongs to the Issaquah school district. It might be worth looking into.

I have to admit, I just realized that I misread your original post and I was thinking that you had four chidren, which is why I suggested Puyallup (for the ability to get a bigger house, etc., so disregard that)

The average income and housing price in Snoqulmie Ridge is high, but 3 bd houses are availabe in the high 300's to low 400's, downtown is more affordable. The zip code is 98065. Here is a $1500 rental in Snoqualmie Ridge: Free standing cottage for rent in Snoqualmie Ridge (broken link)

The majority of Snoqualmie Ridge attends Cascade View Elementary, but part of the neighborhood (the newest neighborhoods) attend Snoqualmie Elem in downtown Snoquamlmie, which is more affordable than the Ridge.

I have heard good things about the following Seattle public Elementary schools: View Ridge, Laurelhurst, Bryant, AE2.

A lot of it is going to depend on whether or not you want to rent in a place that you might eventually want to stay and buy in, which is what makes things a little trickier.

Hope you enjoy your visit!

[Ira500]

Let me second Prple's comment about that part of Renton in the Issaquah School District. For the most part, that's a gorgeous around the May Valley Road and Squak Mountain.