Living options in the Seattle area if working in Everett - 2 small kids - schools, walkability, ~30-45 minute commute (Bellevue: renting)

[mitova]

I've read through many of the threads and narrowed my search into 3 categories:

Seattle neighborhoods that sound like they could work: green lake, wallingford, Fremont, Ballard and Queen Anne. Question - is the commute to Everett manageable? How are the schools?

Closer to Everett - Mulkiteo and Edmunds seem like a lot of folks have nice things to say, a lot about how beautiful it is...but is there any type of walkable community - shopping/restaurants/parks? Pretty is nice - but want to have a community where people are out and about and see each other.

East - Kirkland, Bellevue - schools, commute, stuff to do?

Any thoughts here would be helpful - ideally i would like to keep the commute to 30 minutes, have great schools, and live in a community with some life/action for the kids and us too!

Appreciate the local input, you really can't beat it!

[mitova]

Based on no responses, i am either way off base, or gave too many options.

Any advice? - thank you!

[MJSnow2009]

Mulkiteo is a nice area from what I understand and depending on where exactly you are working is a good commute. Paine Field is actually closer to Mulkiteo than to Everett (fyi), at least according to google maps. I've found that is a great tool to see neighborhoods that will show up on the map. As for schools in Kirkland specifically: I know there is a private school that is pretty good, however you have to attend the church in order to be apart of the school and volunteer some time as well. We were considering that area as well. Sorry I couldn't be much more help. :0) I'm from Nor Cal moving up this summer and have found that rates are a bit more expensive for housing costs, but comparable. Almost considering buying rather than renting at this point! Seems like it's the cheaper option! When are you transferring?

[Ira500]

Originally Posted by mitova

Based on no responses, i am either way off base, or gave too many options.

Any advice? - thank you!

I think " gave too many options" was the issue.
But I'll take a stab at it. My question for you is " Is living in the City of Seattle so important that you're willing to endure soul crushing traffic on a regular basis?"
Yes, Greenlake, Wallingford, etc are nice parts of Seattle and really special in their way, but: Are you going to be going into the city of Seattle very regularly?
If there's something that's going to draw you into Seattle as often as work will bring you to Everett, then sure, consider Seattle.
But otherwise?
I'd simply look north, and forget Seattle or Bellevue.
I-5 is a miserable beast, and you'd be wise to avoid it as often as possible.

As far as walkability, Edmonds is pretty good for that. It's an artsy and genteel downtown. safe, good schools, a vibrant downtown, and really pretty.
I wouldn't even rule out Everett. It has some beautiful parts.
Mukilteo feels a little more suburban, but it has a couple of great places for coffee, and is also very pretty near the water.

[Inkpoe]

Yes forget Seattle/Bellevue. It wouldn't be a 30 mins commute anyway.

Edmonds is very nice, great community. Mukilteo is more suburb-y, but it has a great park (Lighthouse Park).

If you're wanting to check out some of the Eastside, then I'd suggest Bothell (anything south would be a commute PITA). They have a little DT area, great schools, cute little community.

All have enough population density to offer some shopping/restaurants/parks.

[mitova]

I truly appreciate the feedback! looking to move from michigan probably in August so just trying to narrow in areas before seriously looking at houses.

Thanks - great tips.

[snowbird2B]

Depending on where your job is...Whidbey Island might be an option? We have alot of Boeing, etc. commuters here... just a thought..

[mitova]

Thank you all - I think after speaking with some folks I am narrowing in on two areas:
1.) Edmunds - only concern, school scores on greatschools.org are not good. any body have any personal experience with the schools?
2.) Kirkland - the commute is a little longer - but downtown, newer construction, and schools seem good. Any suggestions on specific neighborhoods in Kirklands?

Thanks again!

[Jalhop]

Near "downtown" Kirkland is $$$$. Look at the city map online. To the north (e.g. Juanita Beach, Finn Hill) is the less expensive, still nice part.

Everett has a downtrodden part, in the south. The downtown and north of there is a lot nicer.