Moving to seattle (Bellevue, Bellingham, Shoreline: real estate, apartment, renters)

[sdleemd]

My husband just got a job in Seattle and we're looking to move this summer. We have 2 kids (2 & 4), so we're looking for an area with good school districts. Any suggestions as to where to live that's within 20min drive to Seattle with good public schools?

[mthomson]

I'd look at Issaquah.

[allforcats]

Hi. Contributors to this forum consistently rate the following as "the best" school districts in western Washington, from north to south:
Bellingham
Shoreline
Bainbridge Island
Mercer Island
Lake Washington (Kirkland and part of Redmond)
Bellevue
Issaquah (which includes some of northeastern Renton)
Olympia

The closer to downtown Seattle, the more expensive rentals or real estate will be. Shoreline, Mercer Island, Lake Washington, Bellevue and Issaquah are the closest to downtown Seattle.

You might want to check GreatSchools.net, and the WA State Report Card Washington State Report Card
for individual schools.

[Ira500]

There's not a lot within 20 minutes of Seattle with good school districts, only because traffic can be a bear, not because these places are actually far.
But, if the traffic gods co-operate, in no particular order:
Mercer Island, Bellevue, Kirkland, Issaquah, Shoreline, Lake Forest Park are all in good school districts, and a little further out ( half hour ish on a good day)Maple Valley, which will give more home or apartment for the money.

[eskercurve]

Mercer Island is quite attractive for renters right now, as there are tons of units which will be coming online in a year or so and by then prices will be depressed due to oversupply. Combine that with some of the best schools in the area, and a nice area to live, it's a good bet.

Other areas mentioned here will also have nice schools and safe areas. Shoreline you will want to stay away from the Aurora (WA-99) Blvd because it is ugly and attracts unsavory types (prostitutes, drug dealers). It's ironic because in most areas of shoreline it's pretty nice. It's just the immediate vicinity of Aurora is bad.

I would disagree with Bellingham. It is too far away from Seattle. It will take anywhere from 40 min to 1 hr + to commute downtown.