Need to commute to Seattle (bellevue)...?

Question

i have been offered a job in Bellevue and need to find a good area to live. I have 4 kids, so schools and lack of crime are important. We are on a tight budget and would have a max of 325k to spend on a house. Any advice? It would be nice to keep the commute under and hour if possible, but I hear Bellingham is a really nice place with great schools. Mapquest shows 1.5 hour drive time from Bellingham. Is that right? Thanks for any advice.

Answer 1

Yes, that is right for bellingham. 1.5 hours at the very least. You have to consider traffic(which is always horrible) and weather. The weather in Belligham can get pretty bad too. I am sorry to tell you this but for 325k you will only find a townhome with 3 beds(very small rooms) and 2 baths at best. No homes. Issiquah is the closest place that has the townhomes for that cheap. I would try and get a loan if I was you. Issaquah is a really nice area for families. It is only about 30 minutes away from Seattle and 20 to bellevue! There is no getto in seattle! I would stay away from capital hill in seattle though! I would advise you not to take your family to Seattle unless you have a little bigger budget. Im so sorry to tell you this. The houses out here are outragous and the decent houses start at about 800,000. Im sorry! But let me tell you Seattle is the most beautiful city in the world. I would deffinetly move here if I were you and had the money. I love it here and everyone I know does. Try to find a way. Good Luck!

Answer 2

Forget about Bellingham. The rush hour(s) traffic will kill you.

I would suggest Mercer Island although it is pricey. If you look around you might find something acceptable to you. You would only have a 15 minute drive and the schools are superb. A very low crime rate makes it an exciting option. You would be living on an island which makes it exclusive but the floating bridges take you to Seattle or Bellevue in a matter of minutes.

Answer 3

I think you would like the Puyallup, Sumner &South Hill area, good values in housing relative to other areas and also really safe & quaint! I'd stay away from Bellingham...yuck! And terrible commute! FYI, Seattle has excellent public transportation throughout the region with lots of bus & commuter rail services that are clean & safe! Good luck!

Answer 4

i might strongly propose no longer using, quite take great factor approximately Seattle's ideas-blowing public transit gadget! From the UW section to downtown Bellevue in basic terms use Sound Transit show course# 556 or King County Metro course #167 this might keep you $$$ and rigidity! in case you ever ought to shuttle between Bellevue & Downtown Seattle you may gain this definitely by way of Sound Transit show course #550 solid success!

Answer 5

I'd go to a real estate site (maybe windermere) and do a search with your max price. You will see what area you can afford. I would avoid Seattle, probably too expensive, what you might afford would probably not be family friendly and you would have to take one of the roads over lake washington which will wear you out even though you might be going against the commute. I think its pretty bad in either direction. I think you'll find the house price will be the decider. On the positive side if you can buy somewhere it will probably hold its value.