Where would you suggest a family moving to western Washington state look for homes?

Question

We are relocating to the western Washington area and have small children. We have flexibility about where we can live, but my husband is in sales and on the road, so we do need to have access to the airport & freeway. We don't want to spend a fortune on Seattle real estate. We've considered looking in an area like Puyallup, but I've never even been to Washington and feel like I'm taking a shot in the dark. Which areas are considered desirable for families? I'd love to hear opinions and details about Washington!

Answer 1

The most affordable cities fairly close to the airport include Renton, Kent, and Federal Way. Unfortunately Puyallup is a bit far form Seatac airport, but as you've noticed the homes are more affordable there. If you want to avoid high prices try to stay away from Seattle, Bellevue, Redmond and Kirkland. Those are the most expensive areas in western Washington. Good luck!

Answer 2

I live in Silverdale. Silverdale is on the Kitsap Peninsula. West of Seattle across the Puget Sound. I think it is the best place to raise a family. The schools are excellent. We have all the benefits of a large city, but not the junk that goes along with the city. The housing market is varied and you will get more house for your dollar than in the Seattle area.

The down side is Silverdale is about 1 hour to 90 minutes away from Seatac. You do have the option of the airporter. It is a van that costs about $16.00 to ride. It picks up at a local hotel and drops off at the airport, so it is convenient.

Try doing a search about the schools in the area, since you have young kids that will be an issue. This is a good site: www.greatschools.net Also, try www.zillow.com for comparing house values. You will be able to tell how much house you can get for the money in the different areas people have listed.

Good luck! I hope you love Washington as much as I do! Welcome!

Answer 3

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Answer 4

The areas directly next to SeaTac airport are not the nice. Also, a little north of SeaTac and south aren't that nice. If your looking for nice areas close to the airport and downtown Seattle try West Seattle, Tukwila and Renton. Also, if you go south of the airport you can get more for less money, but you are further away from downtown, but still close to the airport. For that, try Federal Way, Des Moines, parts of Kent and Puyallup. I would suggest not getting too far from I-5 and/or I-405. Those are the main interstates used to get around.

Answer 5

, Rather than just tell you where you "should" move to , I would like to tell you which cities to avoid to and why, (Based on some of the answers other people have left.)

1) Everett . Too much crime, housing too dense. they are packing in the houses and people like sardines. avoid living in north everett , south everett is better than north everett.

2)Bellingham, Mt vernon, Anacortes or Burlington: These towns are at least a two hour drive from the airport(without traffic) . We have alot of traffic in this area, So pretty much it's safe to say that it is a 3 hour or more drive from airport M-Fri between 6:00 am and 7pm

3)Bellvue, Redmond, Kirkland.Kent Des moines (other cities in this area): Too expensive

They best places are Mukilteo, Edmonds ,south Whidbey Island, Bothell Mill creek Woodinville (ferry ride required). These are nice towns, have good schools good housing choices and less crime than all other areas. Also o.k. are areas located in "unicorporated snohomish county", Although these areas have houses that are close to the city , they also have that country feel.

Answer 6

I live here and am very familiar with the areas. Everything is pretty expensive here now but your best bet is south of Seattle.
I am also in sales and travel in the area alot.

Check out the following cities:

Sumner: Great small town with many older homes and a downtown area that is filled with antique shops. Very low crime rate and excellent schools. Good access to freeways. Great city to raise kids. They can walk to school if they want.

Puyallup: Next door to Sumner and a larger city. Not as nice of a place and the schools aren't quite as good and higher crime rate.

Orting: Much cheaper but very small town with no real identity. Much harder to get to the freeway. Schools are very average.

Lake Tapps: Next to Sumner. Beautiful area built around a huge lake with millions of trees. Gorgeous but EXTREMELY expensive. No downtown area and busing is required for schools.

Bonney Lake: Avoid this town. There is nothing there for small children. No downtown area.

Auburn: Much more expensive. Average schools and much higher crime rate.

Kent: Very high crime rate. Avoid.

Welcome to Washington!

Answer 7

Remaining in and around Seattle is possible but not inexpensive. Try:
Renton, Kent, Auburn, DesMoines, Edmonds, Lynnwood

Going North a bit:
Mukelteo, Everett, Stanwood, Mt. Vernon, Burlington, Anacortes, Bellingham

It is a beautiful area regardless, and lots for everyone.

Answer 8

Hey my family with young children are moving to Western WA as well. My hubby is working in Kent. We are looking at Puyallup, Bonney Lake, Spanaway, Orting, Sumner, they seem to be more affordable. Seems Peirce Co is more affordable than King Co. possibly Auburn............we have yet to decide where we will be setting down roots. I have also used great schools.com as a guide for the schools, it has some good infor from parents as well as test scores. We are have a realtor that we have been assigned by our relocation company whom is helping us with the area as well.We are moving from Wisconsin, so it will be a change for us! Good luck to you and your family!!!

Answer 9

You might want to look at areas outside of Seattle-proper. North Bend is a bit out of town to the east, but time-wise it takes less time to get to Downtown from there as it does from Puyallup or Everett. Bonney Lake is a growing community south of town with values still available. Kent is closer to town, but is much pricier. Auburn to the south has some nice areas to live. If you can afford to live there, you might look at Woodinville or Bothell as they are close to town, but still out of the core with much to offer.

Answer 10

I live in Burien. The part I live in is safe and affordable. If you live in Gregory Heights or Three Tree Point, then Burien is fine. Normandy Park is also great. It is amazingly close to the airport, and I don't hear the planes since I am far enough to the west.