Why is Issaquah so expensive to live? (Seattle, Bellevue: for sale, apartment)

[Ira500]

Do note that some of Newcastle is also in the Issaquah school district. Homes there are generally less expensive than Issaquah and more expensive than Renton, but with great access to hiking trails.

[Wellness]

What about the city's that outskirt Issaquah?
Like North Bend, Snoqualmie, and Fall City.
Are they far to commute from Issaquah?
They seem cheaper live. What about Maple Valley?
How far is the commute and is there traffic.
My budget is around 425k or less for a 3 bed, 2.5 bath,
at least 2000 sq ft, and at least .15 of yard.
What are my best options for the easiest commute
into Issaquah and best schools.
Thank you!

[Ira500]

North Bend, Fall City, and Snoqualmie are all in the Snoqualmie Valley school district. The commute to Issaquah would be between 15 minutes and 30 minutes to any of those places, but the school district is not considered as good as Issaquah's. Maple Valley is in the Tahoma school district, which is considered very good. Traffic on Hwy 18 between Maple Valley and Issaquah can get bad traffic, but the trip is mostly about half an hour.

[Wellness]

Thanks Ira500!
Where would you relocate if you were in my shoes?
Work in Issaquah, needing good school's, easy commute
and on a 400k budget for a home.
Like to stay out of the flooding area's like Duvall and Carnation.
Is Bothell and Woodinville a far commute and in my price range?
Thank you.

[Inkpoe]

Bothell and Woodinville will have traffic, the bottleneck type (i405). However, once you learn the back roads and use them, it'll be easier.

Have you checked into the Issaquah Highlands?

Woodinville is also in the flooding area. The only thing about the Eastside flooding is that you just need to make sure you're on a higher elevation.

Any of the towns could work, but it's just you have to find what would be a good fit for you because all of them have a different feel. However, they are all family friendly.

[Wellness]

Thanks Inkpoe...
I think Maple Valley is too far out and most of the homes are on small lots.
Snoqualmie looks nice, but heard the schools there are sub-par. I just
have to lower my expectations and hope my spouse agrees...

[Wellness]

How to view homes in the Renton Highlands for the Issaquah school district?

[Ira500]

Bothell is more affordable than Woodinville, but neither would be a picnic commuting.
So, if I were in your shoes, and looking for the best house at the lowest price, in a good school district with a reasonable commute to Issaquah?
I'd probably look in the eastern Renton Highlands. Issaquah school district. 15 minute trip to Issaquah with little traffic. You might also want to look in Sammamish, more expensive than the Eastern Renton Highlands but less expensive than Issaquah, and also mostly in the Issaquah school district..
Some places like much of Issaquah itself, parts of Bellevue, and some of Seattle are nice but just too expensive. Some other places like the eastern Renton Highlands are significantly less expensive, but are just as safe as these more expensive places, with the same stores, nice parks, etc.

[Ira500]

Originally Posted by Wellness

How to view homes in the Renton Highlands for the Issaquah school district?

Go to a real estate website like windermere.com, estately.com, or redfin.com.
When you click on a house on the Redfin map, for example, it will list the school district. I work for a different brokerage, but I find the Redfin maps to be very user friendly.

[Ira500]

Also, most of the 98059 zip code is in the Issaquah school district.