Husband works in Work in West Seattle & I work in Snoqualmie Ridge where to buy house (Bellevue: houses, neighborhoods)

[jesbolt]

We currently live in Federal Way.

I work in Snoqualmie Ridge & he works in West Seattle (Junction area). We are looking to move into a better school district for our kids. Mainly I've been going off of greatschools.org and looking for schools with a 6+ rating. I realize these rating systems aren't great... but it seems like a good starting point.

Any ideas of a happy medium for our commutes? Or possibly where my commute is decent and his is not terrible?

Because of the W. Seattle bridge work being done we know for the next year+ his commute could be gnarly no matter where we live.

Neither of us are interested in the houses being built that are in neighborhoods right on top of each other. Thinking of Snoqualmie Ridge, some of the developments in Maple Valley.

I've been looking at Renton, Maple Valley and Lake Tapps. Not interested in Des Moines, it's a fine place but have never been too interested when driving through/around town. Some people have mentioned Duvall but it seems pretty pricey and i think to West Seattle the commute would get pretty bad.

House we are looking for:
$700 (max) but ideally less than that
4+ bedrooms
2000 square feet minimum
lot size larger than 5,000 square feet. Seems like a lot of the new construction homes are on small lots about 5,000 square feet.

[Bluefox]

Maybe Renton or Renton Highlands? That seems like a reasonable compromise. Maple Valley would be a good option too, but harder for the West Seattle commute. If considering Maple Valley might as well throw Covington in there too, but they are at the very low end of your requirements. MV would be the better choice of the three but a not so great commute to West Seattle.

[flyingsaucermom]

I would add Lake Heights, Newport, Newport Hills and Newcastle. Basically south of Factoria. Not sure of the school district, if it's Bellevue, Issaquah or Renton... that would be a consideration... but the location should work okay between Snoqualmie and West Seattle...

I feel like Maple Valley would be too far for either Snoqualmie and West Seattle (at least it would be for me). Also I would have reservations with relying on Hwy 18. First of all, you hear of too many terrible accidents as it crosses over Tiger Mt. Secondly, I don't know when they plan to build the exchange with 90, but construction won't be pleasant, On the other hand, you're already coming from Federal Way and you might be already used to it.

East Renton Highlands may or may not be okay. The last several times I've used 900 between Issaquah and Renton/405 I've gotten stuck in traffic. Like, inescapable bad traffic.

I guess I'm biased though. I live in Issaquah and sing the praises of living off of 90 (at least relative to the other congested area roadways).

[homesinseattle]

Hi jesbolt, I think with your geographic needs, desire for pretty good schools and $700k budget, Renton Highlands is probably your best bet.

[Botev1912]

Originally Posted by flyingsaucermom

I feel like Maple Valley would be too far for either Snoqualmie and West Seattle (at least it would be for me). Also I would have reservations with relying on Hwy 18. First of all, you hear of too many terrible accidents as it crosses over Tiger Mt. Secondly, I don't know when they plan to build the exchange with 90, but construction won't be pleasant, On the other hand, you're already coming from Federal Way and you might be already used to it.

Just FYI, Maple Valley is 22 minutes from Snoqualmie and 19 minutes from downtown Issaquah (12 miles) . Much closer than Federal Way for example.

[flyingsaucermom]

Originally Posted by Botev1912

Just FYI, Maple Valley is 22 minutes from Snoqualmie and 19 minutes from downtown Issaquah (12 miles) . Much closer than Federal Way for example.

That's true, but it's only half the equation. What is Maple Valley to West Seattle?

[flyingsaucermom]

Originally Posted by flyingsaucermom

That's true, but it's only half the equation. What is Maple Valley to West Seattle?

Edit: I just looked it up. It's just a few minutes longer than, say, Newcastle... about 40-45 minutes. So Maple Valley is just as good as the others I mentioned, but it's probably cheaper and with better schools.

[Botev1912]

Originally Posted by flyingsaucermom

Edit: I just looked it up. It's just a few minutes longer than, say, Newcastle... about 40-45 minutes. So Maple Valley is just as good as the others I mentioned, but it's probably cheaper and with better schools.

Places that go thru Factoria have terrible traffic.

[flyingsaucermom]

Originally Posted by Botev1912

Places that go thru Factoria have terrible traffic.

I haven't really noticed it being more backed up than anywhere else.

[Gaylord_Focker]

Can anyone confirm how crappy West Seattle's high schools are? Or are they at least serviceable?