cool areas to live in washington state?

josh76 · Post by **josh76** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 2:01 pm

Hi Everyone,

I saw from the poll of location, that there were a lot of people from the pacific area. I just moved to Washington from Connecticut for a job in the Bellevue / Kirkland area and am currently looking into where I would like to buy a house. I am looking for any suggestions or advice from people on this board.

Thanks

-Josh

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 3:34 pm

I'm envious! I'd love to live in that area

Gerard Del Monte · Post by **Gerard Del Monte** » Sat Sep 09, 2006 11:40 pm

Hi Josh- I used to live in Kirkland in the Kingsgate area, near the 160th Ave exit off 405. Left there 8 years ago and moved an hour north to Mount Vernon to escape the traffic.

Where you live will really depend on your budget, and what you are willing to put up with in terms of a commute (that is, if you HAVE to commute).

A local real estate agent who is dialed into the market should be able to fill you in. Obviously, the more into the boonies you go, i.e. east of the Snoqualmie Valley, the cheaper housing will be unless you are crammed into Issaquah or Snoqualmie Ridge. Anything west of 405 is bloody expensive. Nothing gets reasonable until you are at least an hour+ away from Bellevue/Kirkland. The neighbor across the street from me commutes from here into Seattle proper 4 days a week, I think she's nuts. Me, I commute 3 miles- downhill.

Good luck with your housing search-

spidernut · Post by **spidernut** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 4:03 am

Gerard gave you wonderful advice. No matter where you look, take his advice and get an agent who knows that specific area (not just the city proper). A good agent is worth their weight in gold! Once you narrow your search, call the local police department and ask about crime in the area. Visit the schools and ask around about the quality of the schools. Lastly, if you're buying a home - take the time to introduce yourself to every neighbor near your home. Ask if there are a lot of parties in the neighborhood, ask if there are kids in the neighborhood, ask about crime, traffic, etc. They'll be surprisingly honest with you. Always remember that you're buying a neighborhood and lifestyle...not just a home.

So Cal Mark · Post by **So Cal Mark** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 12:41 pm

wow, great advice. Geez, this has certainly become a full service forum lately!

josh76 · Post by **josh76** » Sun Sep 10, 2006 10:42 pm

Thanks for all the input.

I like the outdoors, skiing, hiking, camping and mountain biking.

I work near the intersection of I405 and 520, so I have 4 directions that will be a straight highway commute for me, I guess we will have to see where my wife finds a job!

Anyone have experience living in the Seattle proper area? The idea of living inside the actual city is pretty appealing.

Gerard Del Monte · Post by **Gerard Del Monte** » Mon Sep 11, 2006 8:35 pm

If you work on the Eastside and live in Seattle the commute across either 520 or 90 is an unenviable grind ev-e-ry day.

Now if I lived in a houseboat on Lake Union and could paddle or bike to work, well then

deriley · Post by **deriley** » Tue Sep 12, 2006 8:01 am

I live on Bainbridge Island, the only heavy traffic is when the ferry comes in. Two stop signs between work and home! The weather is alway at least 10 degrees cooler then concrete city. But a hell of commute on the ferry everyday! Since your new to the area you'll need to come over to the island (small town USA) for a visit. Catch the ferry in downtown Seattle and have a nice boat ride. Welcome to Washington state and to this site/

josh76 · Post by **josh76** » Thu Sep 14, 2006 9:35 am

For the moment we have a 3 month lease in Kirkland (old Totem Lake?), to try and learn the area and give ourselves plenty of time to find a house that we like. It will also give me a chance to try riding the bus for a while instead of commuting. Maybe save some money to work on my spider again!

I don't think that we are quite rich enough to buy into that area though.

So far I have noticed that maps and people here call places different things. There seems to me that areas get named after developments.

Thanks for all the input.

brad131a4 · Post by **brad131a4** » Tue Sep 26, 2006 12:04 am

Josh welcome to the eastside the only place to live in the seattle area. I grew up in west seattle have lived in downtown at the bottom of queen anne hill and in newport hill by factoria. I've lived in Issaquah and Sammamish with my wife and daughter now for about 15 years and can say it beats living in seattle hands down. The schools are way better and believe it or not most of the time the traffic isn't to bad. Only when it rains after having a dry spell do the dipshits come out . It's like they have to relearn how to drive in the rain like they've never seen it before. You can find deals on housing if you really look hard and happen to be in the right place at the right time. I've seen a neighbor sell their house for almost 150,000 under everyone else just because he wanted out of town and to move back to the country. there have been a few houses that some people have flipped around here so there is opprotunity out there. Check craigslist as I've seen some good deals on there. Good luck .If you need any help my wife is a fanatic at looking up houses for sale .I sometimes think that it must be her hobby.