bicycle commute and town question (Seattle, Bainbridge Island: neighborhoods, good schools, restaurant)

[yolatengo]

Hello, first post -- any help would be greatly appreciated...

My job (along with my family) is being relocated to downtown Seattle early next year. Our top priority is good schools (not ultra-competitive, but good). I'd also like to be able to commute by bicycle most days. I don't mind riding up to 15 miles or so each way. Does anyone have a handle on what areas are best for commuting downtown by bike?

Separately, we are particularly interested in a very "down to earth" type of community. We liked the looks of Bainbridge Island and Issaquah but are concerned with the possibility of snobbery and pretentiousness in those areas. Is that off base?

Thanks a lot. We are very overwhelmed and confused right now...

[Ira500]

Bainbridge would be thought of as more snobby than Issaquah. You also might want to consider Vashon Island. It's less expensive, more down to earth, and a quicker ferry ride.

[yolatengo]

Thanks, Ira. I see you're from NJ. If you don't mind answering another question, how would you characterize the snob level on Bainbridge? -- similar to Montclair, Short Hills? Is it a country club atmosphere?

[Ira500]

In general, the snobby places in NJ are far snobbier than the Seattle area snobby places...They've been at it longer?
so, Bainbridge is clearly less snobby than Upper Montclair or Short Hills. Maybe snobby like Princeton?
There are neighborhoods within Seattle proper ( Hello, Washington Park!) which are far snobbier than Bainbridge. That said, there's a fancy restaurant on Bainbridge called The Four Swallows, which reviewers describe as "exquisite", but I've heard that the name refers to the portion sizes.