Kid-Friendly (Seattle, Bellevue, Everett: homes, neighborhoods, good schools)

[TempNest]

Hello,

My husband and I are considering a move to the Seattle area from the Dallas, TX area with our two small children next year, and I'm trying to get a feel for the area. We are free to live just about anywhere as my husband works remotely for a company in the tech department. I have extended family in Seattle so that's one reason we are considering moving (I also hate the heat and other aspects here). So long story short, which areas of the Seattle metro are the most "kid-friendly", meaning an ideal mix of excellent neighborhood schools, libraries and parks nearby, pediatrician's nearby, shopping nearby, and also access to children's museums and similar facilities within a reasonable commute. Let's say our ideal budget is $300-600 for a home, and we don't mind a smaller, older home (newer is fine, too).

I'm visiting this summer and then again next winter to get a better feel for the area, but I'd also greatly appreciate any info from locals here. I know that there are a thousand other threads in this topic, but most are constrained by job location/commute. We are open to any area in the Seattle metro area, from Seattle proper neighborhoods (not sure they'd be in our budget, though) to east side suburbs to suburbs further out like Maple Valley.

Any insight is greatly appreciated. So many thanks!

[CrazyDonkey]

Green Lake. For instance:

2203 N 80th St, Seattle, WA 98103 | MLS #898053 | Zillow

[homesinseattle]

Shoreline, Edmonds, Mukilteo would be great choices, and would accomplish all you speak of. You'll need to be near the top of your price range. At $350k, you'll want to look north to Everett, which is a neat place but the school grades won't thrill you.

[Seacove]

Originally Posted by TempNest

Hello,

My husband and I are considering a move to the Seattle area from the Dallas, TX area with our two small children next year, and I'm trying to get a feel for the area. We are free to live just about anywhere as my husband works remotely for a company in the tech department. I have extended family in Seattle so that's one reason we are considering moving (I also hate the heat and other aspects here). So long story short, which areas of the Seattle metro are the most "kid-friendly", meaning an ideal mix of excellent neighborhood schools, libraries and parks nearby, pediatrician's nearby, shopping nearby, and also access to children's museums and similar facilities within a reasonable commute. Let's say our ideal budget is $300-600 for a home, and we don't mind a smaller, older home (newer is fine, too).

I'm visiting this summer and then again next winter to get a better feel for the area, but I'd also greatly appreciate any info from locals here. I know that there are a thousand other threads in this topic, but most are constrained by job location/commute. We are open to any area in the Seattle metro area, from Seattle proper neighborhoods (not sure they'd be in our budget, though) to east side suburbs to suburbs further out like Maple Valley.

Any insight is greatly appreciated. So many thanks!

I would think the best advice you're going to receive is from the extended family you have in Seattle.

[mkarch]

Ballard has a lot of businesses catering to people with young children. Once you cross the line into Fremont just finding a restaurant or brewery that allows children gets difficult, whereas in Ballard it's the norm. I'd say Greenlake is pretty good but it has a slightly less family friendly feel. Capitol hill on the other hand is the polar opposite. Few kids, not the best place to dine out with them. Most of the in city neighborhoods with good schools will push the upper end of your budget, but it's definitely doable for $600K.

[TempNest]

Originally Posted by homesinseattle

Shoreline, Edmonds, Mukilteo would be great choices, and would accomplish all you speak of. You'll need to be near the top of your price range. At $350k, you'll want to look north to Everett, which is a neat place but the school grades won't thrill you.

Are the first three areas in Seattle proper? Thanks.

[TempNest]

Originally Posted by Seacove

I would think the best advice you're going to receive is from the extended family you have in Seattle.

I'm sure that's true, but I think having multiple perspectives is a good idea. I should clarify that I have ONE family member in Seattle. And hey, city data people are awesome.

[TempNest]

would Bellevue fit my description and have better home prices?

[homesinseattle]

Hi there TempNest. Shoreline is just a bit north of Seattle proper, Edmonds a bit farther, Mukilteo a bit more. They are all close to Puget Sound, which is a nice bonus. You may be able to get a little closer in to town if you are okay with a small home. West Seattle, Columbia City, Seward Park, Ravenna, Broadview, Greenwood, Broadview are possible locations in Seattle proper where you get a bit more for your money. East Bellevue, Newport Hills and North Kirkland/Juanita are possibilities too.

I am a fan of less home getting in a great neighborhood. I just spent a month with my backpack in Ethiopia last year, saw 20 people sleeping in one room. 1000 SF is pretty palatial, depending on your frame of reference

[TempNest]

I totally agree! I'm more interested in place than space, and I want to find the right mix of kid-friendly amenities and city culture. Good schools are a must. I'm trying to understand how the Seattle areas you mentioned compare to the "east side" (did I get that right? ��) suburbs. Here in DFW, many of the suburbs are cities in their own right, with a lot to do. It's different here in that I can easily zip down to Dallas because we have s million highways, so I'm trying to understand better because I know that traffic is congested there. Thanks ��