Need help with finding a fantastic place to live! (Seattle: house, neighborhood)

[ecofreako]

My fiance and I are moving from a very fun neighborhood in Denton, TX to somewhere in the Northwest. This move won't occur for another year and a half but we would like to be looking ahead of time. She's a theatre major and I've got a bachelors in Emergency Mangement, looking to start my masters in Environmental Science when we get there. I work for FEMA as a GIS (Geographic Information Systems) Specialist.

We enjoy the outdoors, love to cook, appreciate good wine, and are very intersted in gardening and urban homesteading. We try to live sustainable lifestyles and are ultimately looking for a place to live near people who share the same kind of ideas. We love hosting parties and I make good margaritas.

If anyone has any suggestions as to where the best area around Seattle for us may be, we would greatly appreciate it.

Thanks so much,
Alex

[toughguy]

Fremont, Capitol Hill, Greenlake

[ecofreako]

Maybe something not so much in the city. I'm willing to drive 30 minutes.

[Heiwos]

Where do you expect you'll be working? I'd start there. Commutes are a big criterion here, for choosing where to live.

[Ira500]

People will disagree with me here, but I'm going to suggest the outskirts of Renton, WA. I live just west of Renton, where many of the homes have large lots, and housing is less expensive. We bought here because we wanted a large garden...Also, downtown Renton has a place called the Red House, which is a combination winebar/wine shop/restaurant, and has incredibly good food and an amazingly large wine selection, and every Wednesday they have a tasting where you sample many different varieties and an appetizer buffet for twenty dollars. Where I live is 20 minutes from downtown Seattle, and has a semi rural feel( some neighbors have sheep)...

[texastrigirl]

I would look into Woodinville. Lots of nursery growers, horse properties and small businesses based on what the land can provide. Also a nice little downtown area, not too expensive AND you are close to a really great TOP Foods (if you like to cook), a really great nursery (Molbaks) and Red Hook Brewery plus all of the front ends of the WA wineries. It's just beautiful up there and yet you can still get into Redmond and Kirkland easily for more to do. Fall City/Carnation might also be an area to look. Beautiful out there!

[seattlenextyear]

You're going to find like-minded people all over the area:

SCALLOPS | King County (http://scallopswa.org/members/king-county - broken link)

See also: Seattle Greendrinks

[ecofreako]

Heiwos,
I'll probably be working in Bothell and the wife will probably be working in Seattle.

[ecofreako]

texastrigirl,
Woodinville looks great, except what's the large commercial/industrial area east of Woodinville - Duvall Rd and west of 522?

[Heiwos]

Originally Posted by ecofreako

I'll probably be working in Bothell and the wife will probably be working in Seattle.

In that case I think a house with garden space, anywhere between Bothell and somewhere north of downtown Seattle would do fine. Seattle is liberal country, where you'll find like-minded people all over, as someone mentioned above. The shortest combined commute, and near a bus route to downtown Seattle, will more likely give you the best lifestyle. Of course the closer you get to downtown Seattle the more expensive it will be.