Thinking of moving from Houston - Area Recommendations

[jabogitlu]

Bothell's value increases are locked-in. Its medical manufacturing and R&D sector will continue to grow. This industry + proximity to Kirkland (Google) and other eastside sectors means good value for money, if you can afford it.

East Renton is likely the least appreciating. Renton is in a good place for commuting and commercial options, though.

Maple Valley is a bit further out and is influenced more by Kent & Renton. It's just a little different than Bothell, ERH & Sammamish.

Personally I'd choose ERH because I prioritize affordability, proximity, and older vibe. However that is a very personal choice after having lived here for years. You should try to visit each of these communities if you can.

[FLcycler]

Originally Posted by Cluckr7

Thanks for the helpful replies.

As I’m thinking a little more, I’m second guessing my initial thought about tolerating a 1 hour commute. I think the plan would be remote work but probably should hedge for possibly needing to commute into the city in the future.

Anyone have any insight on the Bothell, Sammamish, East Renton, Maple Valley? And to clarify this is in “normal” non Covid times.

I was in the East Renton/Maple Valley area for the last 10 years. The commute to Seattle wasn't bad... 45 mins to an hour in "good" traffic but I worked a 6-2:30 shift. For the record... Seattle traffic sucks and is often congested.

I recently moved to Florida... and...

Originally Posted by armiva

Sammammish is a really good area, we're looking there in our current search. You won't get a single family 4BR for $1.4M unless you're okay with under maybe 2300 sq ft.

Madness like that was the main reason. ^

https://komonews.com/news/project-se...-homeless-camp

https://komonews.com/news/local/enca...rn-frustration

https://komonews.com/news/project-se...erns-neighbors

All that was close behind on the list. ^

The perks of voting Democratic.

Originally Posted by CrazyDonkey

Light rail will be expanding to Redmond in 2023-2024. An insurance policy in case of a future commute could be to live within reach of that line.

Ahhhh yes... won't miss those $500 yearly car tabs either for financing a light rail I hardly ever used.

[Blondebaerde]

Originally Posted by Cluckr7

Hi all,

We're thinking of moving to the Seattle area and were hoping to crowdsource some recommendations on areas to focus in on. We're very early in the process (it's basically just an idea), so we're just sort of screening what our money could get us.

We've looked (online) at the Eastside suburbs, and it seems like maybe our budget would place us as far out as Sammamish? Any other areas to consider?

Hard requirements:
- Good schools, family and kid friendly - i.e. surburban vibe, parks and playgrounds
- SFH, 4+ BR with yard
- ~$1.4M budget

Soft wants:
- Good commercial areas somewhat close by (decent restaurants and shopping)
- Within ~1 hour of the city. Remote work with only occasional need to go into Seattle

Also, what's a typical property tax rate?

Thanks in advance.

Examine one of the neighborhoods near downtown Kirkland. That's low-median price for the kind of place you want, note however that my buddy who had a house built in Sammamish claims you can buy more for less there. Norkirk and a few other Kirkland neighborhoods check off your hard and soft (constraints). I thought about that years ago and decided that convenience trumped the somewhat more-rural upside of Samm.

I live a mile north of downtown Kirkland which is a pleasant stroll or quick drive. Local bus down the street, too, though I don't know if that's running frequently these days. The 255 bus used to go to the Transit Center, then to downtown Seattle as-well and I used that for commuting a couple months in '17 (worked great). The route's changed but still is a viable option for avoiding the traffic beast if one "must" go into Seattle-proper on a daily basis. That was before WFH which I find immensely more satisfying.

I couldn't be dragged away from here. Not sure how inventory is these days...that's what realtors are for.