Job Offer in Kent - walkable neighborhood/daycare/prek3 (Seattle: apartments, rental)

[Dream41180]

Good Afternoon!

My family of 4 are waiting to hear if we will be relocating to Kent, WA for wife's job in September/October 2017. We would appreciate some advice on walkable neighborhoods within a 45 minute commute. The kids are 18 months (January 2016 Birthday) and 3 (September Birthday so miss school cut-off).

I really need
1) Walkable Neighborhood Recommendations in school district that is above average (bonus if they offer perk 4..double bonus if they fee prek 3 too)
2) Daycare & Preschool Options near Kent or in recommended neighborhood

Below is some details:

1. Rent/Buy: Rent for 1-2 years then buy

2. Rental Budget: I am really hoping for no more than $1800 month

3. Size: 2 bedroom 1 bathroom at minimum if feasible 3/2, but location and schools are a higher priority than size

4. House Type: House/Duplex/Condo (high or low rise)/Condo style Apartment (High or low rise)

5. Employment: Wife (Kent, WA near Kent regional library and green river college ent campus)/Hubby (Restaurant Industry)

6. Schools: Public Schools

7. Suburban vs. Urban: Urban - Prefer mix of residential and retail/commercial within close proximity, but at price point walking distance to a commercial strip would be great

8. Transit: Access to bus and/or Train is important

9. Daycare/Preschool: I am unsure what is a reasonable monthly cost. I would like both kids in same location if public school perk is not an option. Seattle subsidized preschool sounds perfect next fall but I do not think I can afford childcare and rent this year until oldest ages into system

Thank you!

[CrazyDonkey]

In general, urban walkable neighborhoods and above average schools don't go together. The exception would be Seattle, most of which isn't within you're 45-minute commute window, and North Tacoma, which is, driving or via Sounder rail. For instance (all go to Lowell ES/"9"):

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/2...?fullpage=true

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/3...?fullpage=true

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...?fullpage=true

https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...?fullpage=true

https://www.zillow.com/b/1727-N-Fife...122.470108_ll/

[tobester]

You may want to reconsider relocation - if $1800/mo is your housing budget, it might be very difficult to buy a home in 1 to 2 years, especially if you're looking for urban areas with great schools and affordable daycare.

[VirtualErik]

My 1 bed 1 bath, 500 sq apartment is already over 1k/mo and that's considered cheaper than most places...

[Dream41180]

Thank you for all feedback. I am flying up this weekend with my husband for 5 days to meet with possible job and explore housing options. I appreciate some of the hard advise. $1800 is my limit for 2-3 years until my oldest goes to kindergarten/1st grade and my youngest enters pre-k3/pre-k4. The $1800 number is based on my husband only working part time at 1/3 to 1/2 his full time salary. To make it work he will likely have to go back to full time so our budget can be increased to $2500 or so. I have also received word that I will likely have another offer in Olympia, WA which from review of options appears to be significantly cheaper than Seattle area.

[Dream41180]

I should also mention. I think the aim for urban walkable might be out of reach until after daycare hell is over.

Any suggestions for areas in smaller towns/cities around east or south of Seattle to look into that might offer some limited walkability. I have looked at Trek apartments in downtown Auburn, the retreat in Sumner, midtown lofts in downtown Tacoma.

Also school district is not imperative until fall 2019 for Kindergarten, so I might have to plan to move after 2 years to either rent or buy.

[Gaylord_Focker]

Woah, you're from Bama? Get ready for culture shock.

[Dream41180]

Gaylord...LOL, yes I am from AL.

[CrazyDonkey]

Here's info on Tacoma SD's pre-k programs: https://www.tacomaschools.org/early-...s/default.aspx

[Dream41180]

CrazyDonkey! Thank you!