How to choose an area of Seattle to call home?

[angelenogirl]

Love Bainbridge, and am becoming obsessed with Kirkland, but I would also recommend Edmonds. Has that charming walkability plus natural beauty and water (I love that Sound view).

[knucklehead_vol]

Originally Posted by beautifuljoon

I think Bainbridge Island is the best choice out of the options you listed. I have family there and it's really lovely, laid back. Country-like, with lots of friendly locals. It's only a ferry ride away from the big city if you want it and the ride is spectacular

I think that is where we will end up. For us, the schools are good too.

[ctr88]

I'm a single guy 43 and I moved up to Seattle from San Diego 6 months ago. Right now I'm living on the CD/Cap Hill border, wanted to be central for my first year here. When my lease is up in 6 months I will move somewhere else still deciding where.

If you are single and work from home, I'm thinking Bainbridge will be WAY, WAY to isolating. If you ever want to do anything in Seattle you have to get on a 30 min ferry, possibly much longer with the wait for the ferry. There will be very few meetup.com socializing options on Bainbridge. It would be one thing if you worked in downtown Seattle or something and had peaceful Bainbridge to go back to in the evenings and weekends, but being out there 24/7 would be way too isolating I think.

The Eastside has a lot of awesome attributes being much closer to great hiking, trees, beautiful outdoors then Seattle proper has. And it's very beautiful, Kirkland has a great waterfront, very safe, very clean and new. And I have thought of moving over there primarily because it's closer to nature. But to me it feels too much like what I was trying to get away from in SoCal. Although very pretty with the trees, mountains, lakes....it feels very chain oriented and car culture. Not a very unique or eclectic look and feel, or a very unique populace, it really feels a lot like any newer sprawl area of America in terms of the structures, restaurants, people (see Dallas, Phoenix, Orlando), but with beautiful pines, lakes and mountains. Bellevue reminds me of Irvine CA (Irvine not being a place I liked very much ), kind of a bit sterile and heavily chain oriented. I just personally didn't move up to Seattle to live in "Orange County in the pines". I'm looking for something with a little character, walkability, eclectic feel, not sure how important that is to you. But yet I do want to be closer to the trees, outdoors & quiet so it's a hard call for me.

I'm not sure where I'm going to end up yet but I have 6 months to look.

[bghouse]

Hi all,

I know I went quiet, but just wanted to post quickly and thank everyone again for all the great advice.

I've been doing some serious soul searching about what i really want to accomplish with this move. Part of my indecision revolves around my semi-retired state and how much money I'm willing to devote just to rent.

I've gone back and forth a lot and right now the prices for rentals with the amenities I'm looking for, and in locations that turn me on, is just too high. I could do it, but then I'd be back to worrying about finances and picking up work, instead of working to finally get a life that doesn't revolve around work :-)

Currently, I'm really feeling drawn to Gig Harbor with Tacoma over the bridge for more experiences. There is a ton of great information up here, and I've been researching a lot. I'm finding rentals that are more financially feasible without compromising everything I'm hoping to have for amenities, leaving me free to pursue activities and hobbies without panicking about money.

Anyway, again - I just wanted to say thank you to everyone. I really appreciate all the advice and suggestions.