Commute Times (Seattle, Spokane, Bellevue: houses, living, price)

[Verio]

We're looking at houses, in the Seattle area, and I'm curious, what are the average commute times from lets say Sammamish, Renton, Bothell and Auburn... to downtown by the Stadiums.

Google Maps is saying 30 mins even with traffic, but based on a lot of posts here, I'm calling shenanigans.

[Hemlock140]

I can make it from Sammamish near Sahalee to my office at Pier 69, on I90 then 99, in 35 minutes. But I leave at 6:30. It will go to 45 minutes before 7am. Going home there is more congestion getting onto I90 with big trucks and it adds 5-15 minutes. I leave work about 4:10 and hit the stadium area about 4:15. Try it later and add another 10-15 minutes. Better than the other way though, I90 going into Seattle backs up to Bellevue by 4:30.

[Ira500]

All of the areas you mentioned are large, so there will be a large range in the commute times. I live at the western edge of Renton, and used to commute to work near the stadiums. It took about 15 minutes, but being in other parts of Renton could add up to another 20 minutes. I-5 in the morning is usually fine from Renton until you hit exit 163, Spokane St/Columbian Way, but if you get off there and head north on surface streets, it's easy schmeezy.
Auburn is probably typically a 40 ish minute commute, Bothell maybe 35?, and Sammamish 45 if done at normal rush hour.

[texastrigirl]

Verio...if you are looking at AMZN...eventually all will be located at the South Lake Union campus. Most everyone should be moved by now...or at least close to it. Slightly different commute. 40-45 minutes by car but the bus route is really tough right now because there is no direct express bus there like there is to downtown to my knowledge. You have to get off the bus and walk to the **** line. (South Lake Union Trolley that is!).

[eskercurve]

Originally Posted by Verio

We're looking at houses, in the Seattle area, and I'm curious, what are the average commute times from lets say Sammamish, Renton, Bothell and Auburn... to downtown by the Stadiums.

Google Maps is saying 30 mins even with traffic, but based on a lot of posts here, I'm calling shenanigans.

Depends on when you leave home. Assuming you live near the highway:

If you leave by 7AM ...

35 min Sammamish, 35 min Renton, 45 min bothell, 40 min auburn

If you leave by 8 AM

45 min Sammamish, 50 minutes Renton, 50min-2 hrs bothell, and 50 min+ auburn

Times start to drop off for Sammamish by 9 AM.


Let me ask you ... why the suburbs? Seattle has excellent living options within the city that will grant you access to Alaskan Way / Aurora, even after / during the viaduct replacement. The WA-99 highway is probably the single most important highway in Seattle as it siphons off traffic from I-5.

[Verio]

Originally Posted by eskercurve

Depends on when you leave home. Assuming you live near the highway:

If you leave by 7AM ...

35 min Sammamish, 35 min Renton, 45 min bothell, 40 min auburn

If you leave by 8 AM

45 min Sammamish, 50 minutes Renton, 50min-2 hrs bothell, and 50 min+ auburn

Times start to drop off for Sammamish by 9 AM.


Let me ask you ... why the suburbs? Seattle has excellent living options within the city that will grant you access to Alaskan Way / Aurora, even after / during the viaduct replacement. The WA-99 highway is probably the single most important highway in Seattle as it siphons off traffic from I-5.

To Texastrigirl - Yes, I am looking at options in relation to AMZN. I'm being flown out, as soon as we can find a suitable schedule, since I'm going to be speaking at two security conferences in the next 3 weeks. Talk about terrible timing.

As for why not downtown in the city? I have a wife, 2 young girls and a black lab. I also have a 3,000sq foot house and .3 of an acre currently. While I don't expect anything near that at all for a similar price range, I want an area where I can still grill food outside (i.e., a patio) and a place that's dog friendly. I've had to put an animal up for adoption before, due to a move, and I wont ever do that again.

If you have some ideas where I can find a 3 bedroom, 2 bath (I have 3 women in the house, ugh....) that has an area for outside grilling and will allow a lab that's not outrageously expensive, I'm open to ANY ideas.

Thanks!!

[texastrigirl]

Verio, send me a DM if I can help you further once you get closer to what your options are and what you are looking for. Happy to help. I have two boys (elem and MS age) and a Golden Retriever

In general though, Seattle is very much geared towards people with dogs. There are fantastic off leash parks everywhere and my dog thinks the Mercer Island dog swimming area is like Disneyland!