Looking for good public schools + easy access to Seattle (Bellevue: real estate, apartment)

[196CG]

Researching several cities including Seattle area. We are looking for quality public schools, walkable neighborhood, and easy access to downtown Seattle. Wife and I are self employed, can afford to buy but want to rent first (apartment, condo or home), so location will be based on proximity to schools, grocery store, restaurants, coffee shops, parks, and public transportation. We are bikers (pedal kind) and have a 2 year old Aussie Shepherd. What neighborhoods should we investigate? Thx!

[flyingsaucermom]

Many on here will direct you to N. Seattle. There are good schools in Ravenna, Bryant, Wedgwood, Laural Hurst, View Ridge, etc. It's also really close to the bike trail: [url=http://www.seattle.gov/parks/magnuson/bike.htm]Seattle Parks & Recreation: Warren G. Magnuson Park - Bicycle Riding[/url]

There are many families in Queen Anne, Ballard, Green Lake and Greenwood (more so than before at least), but I don't think the schools are performing as the first group. I've also met a few families in West Seattle, but they homeschool so I couldn't comment on the public schools there.

[Hemlock140]

This is a difficult combination of requirements. The good schools are not near downtown, and mostly not in areas that are walkable to shops and restaurants.
The neighborhoods mentioned by flyingsaucermom and also Ballard, Magnolia and upper Queen Anne have some of the better Seattle schools and some walkable areas if you are lucky enough to find something available.

[196CG]

Very much appreciate these responses. We will investigate. What are your thoughts on Bellevue? Is that too far from city? Thx.

[Ira500]

Originally Posted by 196CG

Very much appreciate these responses. We will investigate. What are your thoughts on Bellevue? Is that too far from city? Thx.

it doesn't normally take long to get from Bellevue to Seattle.
People who are looking for walkable neighborhoods, or looking for established downtowns with old cute houses or charming vintage apartment buildings nearby are not drawn to Bellevue. Downtown Bellevue has become big. But it's mostly new and shiny. And the downtown area lacks old buildings. it has a nice park in downtown Bellevue, and there are plenty of good places to eat and movies, etc. There are also a bunch of other neighborhoods within the city of Bellevue outside of downtown. West Bellevue, within walking distance to downtown Bellevue, has some extremely expensive houses. It's prime real estate. It's more economically diverse around Crossroads in Bellevue. Bellevue Schools are almost all thought of as great. But generally, outside of DT Bellevue, it's not really that appealing to people looking for walkability.
Downtown Kirkland is certainly pleasant. The schools are great. It's got walkability and vibrancy.
Within Seattle: Wallingford, Ballard, Queen Anne, Ravenna all have good schools and walkability. West Seatttle's gorgeous and has a couple of great elementary schools.

[196CG]

Thx for more great info. Sounds like we need to investigate Kirkland too.

[Bill Loney]

Test scores alone don't tell you everything about a school. But they certainly help.

Here's an awesome link to the OSPI Site. It allows you to see and compare (side by side, see drop down upper right "Compare My School") scores from all public schools in the State of WA.

[196CG]

Thx Bill.

[SeattleCat]

You might want to check out Issaquah too. Easy drive to Seattle and great schools.