Possibly.... Seattle????? (Sammamish, Bothell, Mill Creek: how much, new home, neighborhood)

[promise44]

Hi

I currently live in colorado with my husband and 4 month old daughter but we are looking to move to the northwest area and are having trouble deciding which city would suite us best. My husband is very active and loves hiking, biking, and all the other lovely outdoor activities. I on the other hand am more of a social person. I do enjoy going for hikes and walks but not on a day to day basis. My husband loves privacy where as I want a neighborhood that my daughter can grow up in around other children. We both want a tiny amount of acerage and also in a good school district for later down the line. At the moment we live 45-50 minutes from the city and I HATE it. Would love to know where in seattle would be a good idea to start looking if we plan on moving out there. Any information would be appreciated.

[borregokid]

You didn't say what your budget is. Things are getting pricey again in King County just like everywhere. There are more good schools than bad schools in the Seattle area. Most of the better schools are on the Eastside of Lake Washington and in the area around Bothell and Woodinville. I like Bothell and Issaquah particularly close to the downtown. Great areas to raise children. Kids can walk to town and you are near the schools.

[promise44]

At the moment we don't have a budget. I will be coming into a lawsuit settlement soon and that is what we will be using to move there and buy a house. We want something with privacy and space but still close to the city. Plus is there groups for new moms and young children? Where we live now there are no centers or groups in the area except for a church based group and I'm not religious.

[tobester]

Originally Posted by promise44

At the moment we don't have a budget. I will be coming into a lawsuit settlement soon and that is what we will be using to move there and buy a house. We want something with privacy and space but still close to the city. Plus is there groups for new moms and young children? Where we live now there are no centers or groups in the area except for a church based group and I'm not religious.

But budget will be important ... that will say a lot about where you can live ... are you planning on spending a million for a house or more like 400K?

[promise44]

We're actually looking to build our house. So technically were looking for land to build on, but I stil, want a neighborhood for my daughter to grow up in. So starting at 500k and then going up from there. What I'm really hoping for is land with privacy but still close to the city. Don't worry about price. I'm just trying to get some info on the area so I know where to look when we decide.

[new_to_seattle]

really expensive to buy a house here. not sure about land but i would think it would be expensive as well.

[sequoias]

Usually the desirable areas are more expensive in Seattle's Eastside with better schools and higher tag. You would find plenty of houses there no less than $400,000 close to school and town.

[Hemlock140]

A decent sized lot, 1/2 acre will still go for $300,000 and up in the kind of area you are looking for, because there are not many available due to the Growth Management Act. In fact, many people with your plan will buy an older home for $400,000+ and bulldoze it to build a new home on the lot. You can figure on $229/sf build cost (minimum) so a 2,500 sf home will start at close to $600,000 in addition to the lot cost. Construction costs have jumped again recently as home prices started back up rapidly, and materials costs shot up.

You can still get a new tract home for $350,000-$700,000 depending on location, using Mill Creek and Sammamish as examples but that will be on a minimum sized lot.

[baba_yaga]

What Hemlock said. Also it's hard to advise on a neighborhood since you basically described the entire Pacific Northwest. How much acreage are you looking for? That might eliminate some areas.