relocating to seattle from scotland help!! (Bellevue, Kirkland: home, neighborhood, best schools)

[jades82]

Hi I am wondering if i can get some advice on whats it like to live in seattle. I am moving to seattle within the next few months and having never been to the states I would like to know where's best to raise my 2 kids aged 3 and 18 months? Are the pre scchools good? is there lots for a stay at home mum to do, meet people, take the kids etc?? My husband will be workinng in Kirkland. Any advice woud be must appreciated. thanks Jadie

[sean98125]

If your husband is working in Kirkland, then you want to live on the east side of Lake Washington. You could even live in Kirkland so your husband doesn't have to deal with much traffic. The schools on that side of the lake are pretty good, and Bellevue has some of the best schools in the country. There are plenty of options for preschools and plenty of parents groups so you should be able to keep you and your kids busy.

[AlohaHuey]

Originally Posted by jades82

Hi I am wondering if i can get some advice on whats it like to live in seattle.

It's great.

But don't confuse "living in Seattle" with "living in Kirkland"...

I'd spend a few hours familiarizing yourself with the many threads on this board. A lot of questions will be answered.

Cheers.

[eskercurve]

I agree with Aloha. Kirkland is quite suburban, whereas Seattle itself and even Bellevue are more urban in comparison. But do read more on these forums.

So, you need to specify whether you want to live in an urban environment or suburban. Kirkland and Bellevue have good schools. Seattle itself, not so much, most people who can afford to send their children to private school and live in Seattle do so. Most everywhere is safe on the Eastside. In Seattle, the only sketchy areas are south of I-90, but Seattle is a very safe city compared to other American cities (trust me, I grew up on the south side of Chicago, I am familiar with ugly parts of cities, Seattle doesn't have gangbangers picking off cops and firemen and beat up white people just for being in their neighborhood).

[sean98125]

Originally Posted by eskercurve

In Seattle, the only sketchy areas are south of I-90, but Seattle is a very safe city compared to other American cities

And within a 5 block range on either side of Aurora north of 75th to the city line. And the area between Lake City Way and 30th Ave NE from 130th to the city line.