Double WFH + baby moving to Washington (Seattle, Tacoma: rentals, daycare, home)

[jabogitlu]

If you're looking out at places like Snoqualmie and Maple Valley, don't discount suburbs like Federal Way. You can get a lot of bang for your buck there, and you're close to 1) retail (with a significant East Asian retail component); 2) Sea-Tac; and 3) nature (closer to Mt. Rainier, closer to the Hood Canal/Gig Harbor, with some nice waterfront parks along Puget Sound between SeaTac & Federal Way).

Crime is higher (generally around the commercial highways and some dumpy neighborhoods) and schools are inferior compared to the Eastside suburbs, but those things may not matter as much for you at the moment. Any kind of commute up or down I-5 gets pretty hellacious, but since you WFH... no problem!

[homesinseattle]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

If you're looking out at places like Snoqualmie and Maple Valley, don't discount suburbs like Federal Way. You can get a lot of bang for your buck there, and you're close to 1) retail (with a significant East Asian retail component); 2) Sea-Tac; and 3) nature (closer to Mt. Rainier, closer to the Hood Canal/Gig Harbor, with some nice waterfront parks along Puget Sound between SeaTac & Federal Way).

Crime is higher (generally around the commercial highways and some dumpy neighborhoods) and schools are inferior compared to the Eastside suburbs, but those things may not matter as much for you at the moment. Any kind of commute up or down I-5 gets pretty hellacious, but since you WFH... no problem!

Agreed jabo, Federal Way along the water is really beautiful, nice value for money and absolutely provides good Seatac access. Just like you said, don't live close to Pacific Hwy South, that's where the crime happens at higher levels.

[leastprime]

IMHO,
I'd rent what you want until such time you can investigate the area. Immediate occupancy. Less competition. Big selection. You can rent and get a lot of house. Nice LL

[NWbyNW]

Originally Posted by pomotac

Plenty of folks on this and other forums seem to be describing Everett as a "ghetto". My guess is they're exaggerating, but can you comment on that?

Very exaggerated. People in the PNW don't know what a ghetto is. There is a rule of thumb in that city where north of Casino Rd is where you want to look for homes, not south. In fact, north Everett is absolutely beautiful, especially along the waterfront and newly developing riverfront. Tons of parks and open space as I mentioned in my first post. You can get a lot of home for what you are willing to spend. As I also said, tons of land and towns around the city. Definitely worth a look. I would go so far as to say that the city is a hidden gem. A bit rough around the edges, but getting better all the time. Defiantly look around Grand Avenue, the Port of Everett area, and Harboview-Seahurst areas for truly stunning views.

As said in my original post, I would check out Lake Stevens if you like the idea of some mountain views (less views then Everett) and water, but on a safe lake.

[homesinseattle]

Originally Posted by NWbyNW

Very exaggerated. People in the PNW don't know what a ghetto is. There is a rule of thumb in that city where north of Casino Rd is where you want to look for homes, not south. In fact, north Everett is absolutely beautiful, especially along the waterfront and newly developing riverfront. Tons of parks and open space as I mentioned in my first post. You can get a lot of home for what you are willing to spend. As I also said, tons of land and towns around the city. Definitely worth a look. I would go so far as to say that the city is a hidden gem. A bit rough around the edges, but getting better all the time. Defiantly look around Grand Avenue, the Port of Everett area, and Harboview-Seahurst areas for truly stunning views.

As said in my original post, I would check out Lake Stevens if you like the idea of some mountain views (less views then Everett) and water, but on a safe lake.

Yup, a hidden gem for sure, the real coveted neighborhood is the Northwest Neighborhood (Colby west to Grand, North of 19th St). The streets east of Colby (Wetmore, Rockefeller, Oakes) are really nice too, lots of streets east of Broadway and south of 16th are peaceful and pretty (think Rainier, Virginia, Baker St) I’ve been saying this for years. I liken people’s trip about Everett to the way Tacoma was talked about years ago. Used to be the butt of many jokes, has an industrial waterfront and a couple dicey neighborhoods though incredible beauty. In Tacoma, the waterfront has been completely transformed and not many people are laughing now. Everett is quite similar, stunning waterfront, historic downtown core, relatively affordable homes in beautiful neighborhoods. The “dicey” areas were never 1/10 as dicey as the ones in Tacoma. Like anywhere, you just avoid them.

[mayfair]

All these places mentioned are very different, so the best thing is to visit in person and see how they look and feel to you.

[04kL4nD]

I agree with western Federal Way (and Des Moines outside of the flight path) being more desirable than Everett, personally. For one, you've got great views, as long as you're by the Sound, and you're also in between Tacoma and Seattle and not far as from SeaTac which is 10x better than Paine Field. I don't find Everett to be particularly charming, and Marysville is downright depressing imo with addicts and homeless all over the place. Tacoma has does have some rough neighborhoods, but downtown/6th street and Pt Defiance Park are pretty awesome. Yeah, there are crappy parts of Federal Way near 99, but there's also some good shopping/Asian food and grocery stores located within the strip malls. The Eastside is obviously more desirable than either if you care about good schools, but I think a lot of people downplay South King county and elevate Snohomish county because it's closer to the leafy/quieter neighborhoods of North Seattle, but in the end it boils down to what you'd rather have in closer proximity.

[homesinseattle]

Originally Posted by 04kL4nD

I agree with western Federal Way (and Des Moines outside of the flight path) being more desirable than Everett, personally. For one, you've got great views, as long as you're by the Sound, and you're also in between Tacoma and Seattle and not far as from SeaTac which is 10x better than Paine Field. I don't find Everett to be particularly charming, and Marysville is downright depressing imo with addicts and homeless all over the place. Tacoma has does have some rough neighborhoods, but downtown/6th street and Pt Defiance Park are pretty awesome. Yeah, there are crappy parts of Federal Way near 99, but there's also some good shopping/Asian food and grocery stores located within the strip malls. The Eastside is obviously more desirable than either if you care about good schools, but I think a lot of people downplay South King county and elevate Snohomish county because it's closer to the leafy/quieter neighborhoods of North Seattle, but in the end it boils down to what you'd rather have in closer proximity.

O4k, I dare you to drive to Grand Avenue Park in Historic North Everett on a nice day, stroll around the surrounding streets (Rucker, Hoyt) then walk over the pedestrian bridge down to the marina, have a cold beer at Scuttlebutt Brewery or dinner on the waterfront, tell me you still don't find this part of Everett charming. I dare you .

[texasdiver]

Here's a completely different suggestion.

Take a look at Camas WA which is right across the bridge from Portland next to Vancouver. It has your walkable neighborhoods. 10-15 minute access to PDX airport, and your money will go 25% farther than in the Seattle area. The local school district is about 10% Asian. The schools are good and one of the reasons why people move here. Camas is actually closer to PDX airport than any upscale part of Portland so a lot of executives and regional manager types who fly a lot live here.

4 BR on your budget is going to be a big stretch anywhere in Puget Sound. In the Camas area perhaps a bit more doable.

For example, in the older part of Camas: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2...52869509_zpid/

New subdivision a bit further out of town: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/5...56139287_zpid/

The Columbia River isolates Camas from the rest of the Portland metro area and there isn't anything behind Camas but mountains so there is vastly less local traffic than anywhere else in Portland or the greater Seattle area for that matter. The only traffic hassles are trying to get on the bridges across to Portland during rush hour. But if you are staying on the Camas/Vancouver side you have no real traffic headaches.

Other parts of Vancouver are also nice:

Felida: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/6...23241967_zpid/

Salmon Creek: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/8...60381703_zpid/

Cascade Park: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...23253661_zpid/

[mayfair]

Another thing about north Sno County/Everett/Marysville: not very Asian. It's a very white (though not completely) formerly blue collar area so the feel is going to be very different than south or east of Seattle. Boeing is big influence in that area.

There are pockets of bad drugs/crime/homeless.

The further out you go (as in Marysville/Arlington) the more chance of running into some old racist views. The area is changing, but why choose one of those areas when you have other choices.

People mostly live there because it's close to their work. Edited to add: And don't underestimate the traffic around Everett. It's some of the worst. Especially when the Boeing factory changes shifts.