Greater Seattle (Federal Way, Kent, Shoreline: renting, neighborhoods, schools)

[tt85248]

I currently live in the Phoenix area SE valley Chandler and I'm looking to relocate to the Pacific Northwest. Would like to hear from people who may have lived in the Phoenix area and could possibly give me an area comparable to the SE valley or Chandler. My wife and I are social/polictical liberals and the western part of the pacific northwest fits us perfectly. We were deciding between Seattle and Portland but chose Seattle because its surrounded by water and we really want to be near water.

[wamommy1]

Hi. I was born and raised in the Seattle Area and lived in Gilbert for 5 years. I am now back in Seattle. Are you in Ocotillo? Let me know more specifics in relation to where you live in the E. valley and I can give you better info. I know you said SE Chandler, but give me cross streets. Az is nothing like Wa ( in neighborhoods) this way I can help you the best. Also, what ammenities do you need?

[tt85248]

Originally Posted by wamommy1

Hi. I was born and raised in the Seattle Area and lived in Gilbert for 5 years. I am now back in Seattle. Are you in Ocotillo? Let me know more specifics in relation to where you live in the E. valley and I can give you better info. I know you said SE Chandler, but give me cross streets. Az is nothing like Wa ( in neighborhoods) this way I can help you the best. Also, what ammenities do you need?

I live right near the fashion square so yeah Ocotillio 85248. However, I will be working in Georgetown I guess south of downtown. Some areas I'm looking into are Kent, Renton, Federal Way Shoreline, Lynnwood, and Edmonds. Would like to live in the suburbs for my family's sake but be close enough to enjoy the ammenities of Seattle. I know the areas I listed are not right on water but close enough. Also what are some good neighborhoods in the city proper thanks for your help!

[wamommy1]

I would compare the 85248 zipcode to areas such as Woodinville, Redmond, and Bothell. These are east suburbs. I will tell you that the freeway system here is awful. Traffic is a nightmare. Believe me, Phoenix has got some great freeways and a good commute compared to here. There are bascially no main arterials here. That being said, you will wantto workclose to where you live. I would avoid Kent. Honestly the best places to live suburb wise are the Plateau ( Issaquah and Sammaish), and Bothell/Mill Creek. I would not reccomend the north end however due to you working in the Georgetown area. The Renton Highlands are a good choice also. Historically anything south of Seattle has never been that great. If you want to live by water what about West Seattle? This is a great part of Seattle and close to your work and downtown. NE Seattle is really great too. You are very close to Lake Wash., and services. These zips are 98105, 98115.

Do you have kids? This might change by advice on where to live. The water is generally always close by no matter where you live. You will find most here are liberal comapred to Arizona. You may find yourself a conservative/ moderate here compared to a liberal in AZ.

In terms of convience for services and or goods it will not evern come close to life in AZ. This is a beautiful place just very different from AZ. It's a consumers dream in AZ, here not so much. Some people live in Kitsap county and take the ferry across. You would have water everyday.

After living in AZ and moving back by best advice is... whatever you budgeted add 15% if you move here. Please letme know If I may offer more insight, good or bad.

[tt85248]

Originally Posted by wamommy1

I would compare the 85248 zipcode to areas such as Woodinville, Redmond, and Bothell. These are east suburbs. I will tell you that the freeway system here is awful. Traffic is a nightmare. Believe me, Phoenix has got some great freeways and a good commute compared to here. There are bascially no main arterials here. That being said, you will wantto workclose to where you live. I would avoid Kent. Honestly the best places to live suburb wise are the Plateau ( Issaquah and Sammaish), and Bothell/Mill Creek. I would not reccomend the north end however due to you working in the Georgetown area. The Renton Highlands are a good choice also. Historically anything south of Seattle has never been that great. If you want to live by water what about West Seattle? This is a great part of Seattle and close to your work and downtown. NE Seattle is really great too. You are very close to Lake Wash., and services. These zips are 98105, 98115.

Do you have kids? This might change by advice on where to live. The water is generally always close by no matter where you live. You will find most here are liberal comapred to Arizona. You may find yourself a conservative/ moderate here compared to a liberal in AZ.

In terms of convience for services and or goods it will not evern come close to life in AZ. This is a beautiful place just very different from AZ. It's a consumers dream in AZ, here not so much. Some people live in Kitsap county and take the ferry across. You would have water everyday.

After living in AZ and moving back by best advice is... whatever you budgeted add 15% if you move here. Please letme know If I may offer more insight, good or bad.

All your advice has been great. I'm married with two young children. I have done my research and realize that Seattle has a higher cost of living. The only reason I was thinking south was due to my job location. I know anything in the city proper in terms of housing will be expensive. But I will definitely look into Bothell/Mill Creek and Woodinville. Do you know specifics on Federal Way. Honestly cost is not a concern because my salary will go up every year I just want to be in a decent area with decent schools. I know east of city has reputation for being very good so I think I may look into that. The organization I work for has flex hours so I can get there to work anytime between 6-9 a.m. and as long as I get my 8 hours of work in. Looking forward to the move its been a long time coming.

[scirocco22]

Hi tt--

If you're considering Federal Way, just be sure to be selective. Parts of Federal Way are becoming undesireable and its schools are starting to get bad reputations.

IMHO, you really can't really compare Federal Way with any of the eastside suburbs or the Bothell/Mill Creek/Woodinville areas. You'll find housing will be quite a bit less expensive in Federal Way but with it comes a higher rate of crime. What wamommy said is true about the suburbs south of Seattle but there are pockets of nice areas in each of those burbs in the southend.

IMO, try to find one of those pockets OR ...as wamommy has said, West Seattle might be a good place to at least look and also Beacon Hill is becoming nicer as time passes. Some places on Beacon Hill, you may even be able to bike to work ...well, maybe not; it'll all be uphill going home!

--'rocco

[ComradeR]

I live in Phoenix as well, and planning on moving to Seattle by October.
I cant wait.

Pheonix is just not for me. Originally Im from Russia, and I use to culture, educated people, variety of fresh food, and nice weather. Yeah sun is great and all, but 100 degrees from May till October is not great at ALL.

[tt85248]

Originally Posted by ComradeR

I live in Phoenix as well, and planning on moving to Seattle by October.
I cant wait.

Pheonix is just not for me. Originally Im from Russia, and I use to culture, educated people, variety of fresh food, and nice weather. Yeah sun is great and all, but 100 degrees from May till October is not great at ALL.

I'm with you, looking forward to an area where my kids will no what its like to experience seasons and culture. Good luck in your move!!

[ComradeR]

Originally Posted by tt85248

I'm with you, looking forward to an area where my kids will no what its like to experience seasons and culture. Good luck in your move!!

Thanks, you too buddy!

I cant forget the Pikes Market and Piroshky Piroshky cafe next to it.
Oh man the seafood, and the leaves changing colors.
Going back there for a week in June.

[wamommy1]

Originally Posted by tt85248

All your advice has been great. I'm married with two young children. I have done my research and realize that Seattle has a higher cost of living. The only reason I was thinking south was due to my job location. I know anything in the city proper in terms of housing will be expensive. But I will definitely look into Bothell/Mill Creek and Woodinville. Do you know specifics on Federal Way. Honestly cost is not a concern because my salary will go up every year I just want to be in a decent area with decent schools. I know east of city has reputation for being very good so I think I may look into that. The organization I work for has flex hours so I can get there to work anytime between 6-9 a.m. and as long as I get my 8 hours of work in. Looking forward to the move its been a long time coming.

Good Luck on your move. I will tell you that if you live in the northend ( Bothell/Mill Creek) and Woodinville your commute will not be enjoyable. I would focus on parts of Seattle. The eastside has great schools and the best commute, of course you pay for that too. Check out Snoqualmie Ridge. This is a little further than Sammamish/Issaquah. but cheaper prices. Also. the Renton Highlands are nice too.

We are looking to move to the eastside because traffic is awful on I-5. Traffic in Phoenix is NOTHING comapred to here. So look close at where you live. Have you thought about narrowing it down to the community and renting to make sure you really like the area?