Where to live outside of Seattle (Renton, Redmond: apartments, condo, house)

[boxingcowbagels]

My wife and I are planning a move sometime in this next year. We want to be somewhat close to the city (less than an hour, closer is ideal) but closer to mountains/biking/hiking/skiing. We both work out of the house so commute is not an issue. What cities or neighborhoods would be ideal for this? Looking on Zillow, Issaquah seems like a good fit, but I don't know if it fits our budget of $600-$650k.

Here's what we're looking for:
- being able to walk to trailheads and bike paths
- nearby to water for kayaking and boating
- "mountain living", but not being too remote from everything
- house preferred over condo/apartments, and we both dislike tract style housing
- reliable and fast internet available
- maximum budget is about $800k for the absolute perfect place, but we'd like to stay under $650k

[leastprime]

Build a relationship with a RE agent. SFH will list on Thursday. Sold on Sunday. Probably the winning bid has an escalating clause.

[Hemlock140]

If you find anything in Issaquah, Sammamish, or North Bend that's under $800k, jump on it. Across the street from us the house sold in 4 days, with multiple offers over asking, and was a "fixer" listed at $749k. Under $650k for a house is going to require being farther out, close to or even a bit more than an hour from Seattle. For example, there might be something available in the Fairwood area of Renton for $600-700k.

[homesinseattle]

Originally Posted by boxingcowbagels

My wife and I are planning a move sometime in this next year. We want to be somewhat close to the city (less than an hour, closer is ideal) but closer to mountains/biking/hiking/skiing. We both work out of the house so commute is not an issue. What cities or neighborhoods would be ideal for this? Looking on Zillow, Issaquah seems like a good fit, but I don't know if it fits our budget of $600-$650k.

Here's what we're looking for:
- being able to walk to trailheads and bike paths
- nearby to water for kayaking and boating
- "mountain living", but not being too remote from everything
- house preferred over condo/apartments, and we both dislike tract style housing
- reliable and fast internet available
- maximum budget is about $800k for the absolute perfect place, but we'd like to stay under $650k

Hey bagels, Walking to trailheads, mountain living and nearby water is a tough combo. You might want to look out toward North Bend, Mt Si is nearby and good river kayaking too.

[flyingsaucermom]

I'm going to turn you towards a slightly different direction than Issaquah (although I own -and mostly live- in one of two homes we have in Issaquah).

I just bought 3.5 acres off of 900 between Renton and Issaquah (unincorporated King Co) at the base of Cougar Mt (one of the "Issaquah Alps"). My street is between trailheads and is VERY popular with cyclists.

Two bedrooms. Several outbuildings, a shed and dog kennels. Had King Conservation come and consult us on our wetlands and we learned we also got a beaver.

More info about the area:
[url]https://patch.com/washington/renton/eggs-almighty-alps-to-wander-jay-berry-s-cafe-fuels-a-family[/url]

We closed for under $510k.

You can also try for Fall City, Preston, Mirrormont on Tiger (Issaquah), Squak Mt. (Issaquah). Neither community have much of those tract homes you don't like. Maybe Ravensdale. North Bend and Snoqualmie too.

[homesinseattle]

Originally Posted by boxingcowbagels

My wife and I are planning a move sometime in this next year. We want to be somewhat close to the city (less than an hour, closer is ideal) but closer to mountains/biking/hiking/skiing. We both work out of the house so commute is not an issue. What cities or neighborhoods would be ideal for this? Looking on Zillow, Issaquah seems like a good fit, but I don't know if it fits our budget of $600-$650k.

Here's what we're looking for:
- being able to walk to trailheads and bike paths
- nearby to water for kayaking and boating
- "mountain living", but not being too remote from everything
- house preferred over condo/apartments, and we both dislike tract style housing
- reliable and fast internet available
- maximum budget is about $800k for the absolute perfect place, but we'd like to stay under $650k

If you could be flexible on the “mountain” part, islands like Vashon or Whidbey could work. Great salt water kayaking, local trails, just not a mountain vibe.

[leastprime]

Originally Posted by flyingsaucermom

Two bedrooms. Several outbuildings, a shed and dog kennels. Had King Conservation come and consult us on our wetlands and we learned we also got a beaver.

.

Must be another transplant like us from Oregon.

[CrazyDonkey]

Some options:

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/9...48889118_zpid/ (Snoqualmie)

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3...48974918_zpid/ (Issaquah)

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3...48658543_zpid/ (Redmond/Ames Lake)

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/8...48655205_zpid/ (Carnation)

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2...38460020_zpid/ (Snohomish)

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...48670275_zpid/ (Maple Valley)

[CrazyDonkey]

To check available broadband providers by address:

https://www.allconnect.com/

[Blondebaerde]

Originally Posted by boxingcowbagels

My wife and I are planning a move sometime in this next year. We want to be somewhat close to the city (less than an hour, closer is ideal) but closer to mountains/biking/hiking/skiing. We both work out of the house so commute is not an issue. What cities or neighborhoods would be ideal for this? Looking on Zillow, Issaquah seems like a good fit, but I don't know if it fits our budget of $600-$650k.

Here's what we're looking for:
- being able to walk to trailheads and bike paths
- nearby to water for kayaking and boating
- "mountain living", but not being too remote from everything
- house preferred over condo/apartments, and we both dislike tract style housing
- reliable and fast internet available
- maximum budget is about $800k for the absolute perfect place, but we'd like to stay under $650k

Issaquah is an awesome place to live, you're on the right track.

I live in Kirkland, which I'm fond(er) of. Issaquah was Top-5 of my Eastside choices some years ago.

Both hit all your marks. Yes, your budget is a bit sketchy, but it isn't impossible. You may in fact end up in "tract housing." Issaquah was a frontier, long ago, and still has a bit of back-woods going on though nothing like North Bend another 10-15 miles down I-90. And during Salmon Days there may not be a parking spot in the entire town.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Issaquah_Salmon_Days