work in SODO, where to live? (Seattle, Mercer Island: house, neighborhoods, construction)

[acb2008]

Hi everyone!
I am contemplating accepting an offer for a position at a corp HQ in SODO and wondering where would be a good place to live that meets the following:

*20 to 30 min commute MAX on public transit
*safe, family oriented neighborhood
*have a young child (around 2) so walking to playground is important
*quick driving distance to shopping

Thanks so much for your ideas and have a great holiday weekend!

[Inkpoe]

With a public transit 20-30 min MAX, West Seattle (and White Center), Columbia City, Beacon Hill Georgetown, Mt. Baker, and the North end of Mercer Island.

[aa85]

West Seattle sounds like a good fit, Within West Seattle (which is a big neighborhood encompassing many smaller neighborhoods), I'd recommend North Admiral, which is the north part of West Seattle, although it is somewhat expensive.

One downside to living in West Seattle is that there is only one main bridge from West Seattle to the rest of the city and it is usually very congested at rush hour. Public transportation is decent from West Seattle to SODO - it is about 20 minutes by bus. From North Admiral, the #57 bus passes by the HQ of a certain coffee company, if that helps.

[eskercurve]

If you are OK with little shops filled with alternative art and quirk, some good food, and some good beer, with a soccer field and playground in it too, check out Georgetown. Not your cup of tea? There's always Beacon Hill and the north end of Mercer Island. You could also do West Seattle as others have suggested.

[Hemlock140]

Actually any part of Mercer Island would work, assuming the poster has secured a fairly executive job and can afford it. Besides West Seattle you could go north to Queen Anne, Magnolia or even Ballard. For cars that commute will be mess during the next 5 years of construction but the buses will get through, and you will be working right near the middle of the work zone so you can't really avoid it.

WSDOT - Project - SR 99 - Alaskan Way Viaduct and Seawall Replacement

[eskercurve]

Now that he says it, maybe we can assume he will be working for Starbucks. In which case, come check out Magnolia or Mercer Island or perhaps Medina, depending on your level (note: VP will only get you an average house in the north seattle neighborhoods).