Kid-Friendly (Seattle: school, living, bus)

[mkarch]

Originally Posted by TempNest

Wow....

Are there are plans for a subway system or something if traffic is this terrible?

Sort of. But it's many years off for the areas north of UW.

[homesinseattle]

University Link light-rail service starts March 19:

University Link light-rail service starts March 19 | The Seattle Times


More info on progress: Sound Transit pushing hard on light rail progress in 2016 - seattlepi.com

[TempNest]

Originally Posted by robrath

Just keep in mind your budget, the Ravenna and Maple leaf area is about $300-350+ per square foot and is in very high demand (it will not be a walk in the park to put in a winning offer in this neighborhood). Homes in this neighborhood would be small and older (40+ years older), but it is a nice area with some VERY GOOD schools.


Bothell is about $200-250+ per square foot (traffic can be bad into Seattle), Kirkland and Bellevue would be $300+ (go over the lake via 520 to get to Seattle, but you pay toll).


Good areas for you to look would be Kenmore, Lake Forest Park, Lake City, etc. Very easy commute into Seattle and easy access to 5 or 405.

Why are the homes in these cities cheaper, despite the shorter commutes into Seattle?

[homesinseattle]

They aren't cheap, just less expensive than central Seattle or the Eastside.

[TempNest]

Originally Posted by homesinseattle

They aren't cheap, just less expensive than central Seattle or the Eastside.

I'm looking on Zillow and I see that nothing in the area is cheap, especially coming from the DFW perspective, but I'm curious to know why they are less expensive than the east side? The commute is better and the schools are good, so what am I missing? Thanks.

[homesinseattle]

The Eastside (or better put, Bellevue and surrounding towns) aren't subordinate to Seattle. Bellevue is one of the largest cities in the state and home to numerous prosperous companies.

[TempNest]

Originally Posted by homesinseattle

The Eastside (or better put, Bellevue and surrounding towns) aren't subordinate to Seattle. Bellevue is one of the largest cities in the state and home to numerous prosperous companies.

I see. Thank you again for all of the helpful info. I really appreciate your help, as well as the help I got from everyone else here. I feel much better prepared for my visit now because I have some sort of understanding of the area to use as a starting point!

[homesinseattle]

My pleasure, TempNest.

[StealthRabbit]

Greenlake is definately my choice for walkable family neighborhood with a really good church; (don't say that word in PNW, but it is permissible while you are still in TX)

You want a 'kid friendly' society? Move to Spain!, or many other countries You might even be able to get healthcare ! (Which is nearly impossible to afford in USA)? USA typically hates kids, very evident in social and political agenda. YMMV, but definately prepare yourself for PNW.... We keep a home in TX so we can participate in society. (Not so possible in the Me First! (Me ONLY!!!) PNW. TX is great during the 280 days / yr of drizzle in PNW. (which is great during the 80 days of HEAT in TX)

We were on assignment in Spain, and it was GREAT for our kids. We lived in several countires and home schooled. Age 12 they were 'apprenticed' into skilled trades, Age 16, our kids took advantage of WA free college instead of wasting time in High School. (Running Start... Available in HI and WA) a REAL plus for tens of thousands of kids.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_Start

International living and working was very 'formative' to my kids, I would not want to reverse the benefit it has brought them. (it is also very good for your resume / pay / travel budget / world perspective / education) ... AND it has extra benefits during an Election Year

[Hockeygirl063]

Seattle has many many kid friendly areas and things to do. They also have great bus services so if you live in the outskirts it is an easy commute to the city or to wherever you want to go.