Where to start... (Seattle, Spokane: apartments, houses, neighborhoods)

[christi]

I am currently living in Wyoming. I have a daughter who will be two in May. Her father is moving to Seattle soon. We have been separated for awhile but are talking about getting back together, in which case I would have to move to Seattle. I just don't know where to start. I have been to Seattle and love it, I have always wanted to move there but I know nothing about living there.

Does anyone have advice? I am wondering what some good neighborhoods to look into, what to expect for housing...which is better, apartments or houses and what price range I need to think about for a two bedroom place and anything else that might be helpful in thinking about moving there.

Anything is helpful, like I said, I'm clueless at this point.

[wamommy1]

Hello.

Do you want to live in Seattle Proper or the burbs? Also, is there a job, where will you or your signifigant other work? That will certainly help on the advice. King county has a median home price of 450K, snohomish county(north) is getting high too. If you want a 2 bedroom aprt you could pay 900-2,000 depending on where you live?

[CityGirl72]

Being a mom (who's remarried) but we live away from my son's dad. The question is "Where do YOU want to live?"

Are you moving away just for him? Will you be by any family or friends? You might find it better for you and your daughter to just stay put. Unless you think Seattle is a better place for raising your child.

If still moving to Seattle, please know the schools are crap and only across the water at the "Eastside" where all the yuppies with lots of money live are the good schools. Most people on the Seattle side put their children into private schools.

[AZ_singlemother]

I know a family from Wyoming who relocated to Spokane, which is a similar comparison. Seattle would be a culture shock if you could handle that.

[jwb123]

Before anyone can give you any specifics about where to live, etc - you need to provide your expected housing budget, where you will be working, etc.

On the negative side, prepare for a much higher cost of living, lots of congestion, generally average school districts and rain.

On the positive side, a vibrant, active, creative city with a lot of energy and interesting things to do and look at. Very scenic...

[Aquajox]

Originally Posted by CityGirl72

Most people on the Seattle side put their children into private schools.

I've read this statement a few times here, and it is completely false. If Seattle is so expensive to live, how can most people also afford to put their 2.3 children into private schools?

[41Willys]

Originally Posted by Aquajox

I've read this statement a few times here, and it is completely false. If Seattle is so expensive to live, how can most people also afford to put their 2.3 children into private schools?

Its also a very well educated city. Education = money!

[scirocco22]

Exactly, Aquajox. I too sort of question that statement when it's brought up. Yes, there a lot of parents using private schools in Seattle but "most," eh, I don't know. I'd like to see the stats on that before I actually believe it. It sounds unlikely but you never know.

However, I do agree with CityGirl that Seattle's public schools are suffering and seem to be getting worse and worse.

--'rocco

[pwright1]

Originally Posted by Aquajox

I've read this statement a few times here, and it is completely false. If Seattle is so expensive to live, how can most people also afford to put their 2.3 children into private schools?

It is COMPLETELY false. About 1/3 go to private school.

[41Willys]

Just for comparison, what does a good private cost a year in Seattle?