Seattle Neighborhoods

Artereis

I've made a few posts in the past about moving out west, only now it seems like it might actually happen. I'm under consideration for a position in my company that has the option of going remote, which will allow me the freedom of getting the hell out of Virginia. Anyone have any recommendations for neighborhoods to live in? I've been casually browsing listings in the Bothell/Kirkland area, and some of those seem nice.

schuss

I think it depends on what you're looking for, as a young single guy has different wants vs. a couple in their 30's. Also, why Seattle? What things are important to you?

Artereis

My wife and I are both 28. We're foodies, like getting out into nature, and are set for our third visit to the city for PAX and have enjoyed the area immensely. Also, NOVA is super expensive, and we feel it will be a huge lifestyle improvement for us, especially if we decide to have kids in the near future.

schuss

I was just doing semi-research as we toyed with moving to Seattle, but I then realized the lack of sunshine would make my GF horrifically grumpy. I thought Fremont looked nice, though it's a bit IN the city if you're looking to get out fairly often.
http://seattlemag.com/article/seattles-best-neighborhoods-2011

Thanatos

I'm guessing you're looking for a single-family home, rather than an apartment or duplex situation? And when you say "getting out into nature," do you mean, like, walking to a park, or do you mean going camping? Do you plan to own a car/drive a lot?

Artereis

Based on the prices we've seen on Craigslist and a few other places, we'll either be renting a house or condo to start. Day hikes are more likely than outright camping, but we like that, too. We'd most likely ship our cars as part of the move across country.

finral

Bothell and Kirkland are pretty suburban, and removed from the city proper. Nothing wrong with that if you like that sort of thing. My advice would be to check out Mapleleaf. It's mostly homes rather than apartment buildings, but is closer in to the city itself (located to the north of the U District. I lived there for a few years, and for me it was just the right mix of being quiet, while still being relatively close to the central parts of the city. Sand Point is also adjacent, and is pretty nice for the same reasons.

Seattle Thread

We'll need some actual details. What's your price range? Are you keeping your car? How much of a nightlife do you enjoy? Is quiet or convenience more important? Would you prefer republican or democratic neighbors? Will hearing other apartment dwellers mid-coitus bother you? How much do you want to avoid getting shot? Starbucks or Cafe Vita?* The more we know, the better we'll be able to help.

I will say this: if you're interested in food, I'd stay away from the Eastside entirely. They've got some nice restaurants, but Seattle proper has it beat three-to-one in that category, and you'll get sick of crossing 520.


*the correct answer is Ladro.

mrt144

Artereis wrote: »

My wife and I are both 28. We're foodies, like getting out into nature, and are set for our third visit to the city for PAX and have enjoyed the area immensely. Also, NOVA is super expensive, and we feel it will be a huge lifestyle improvement for us, especially if we decide to have kids in the near future.

Capitol Hill is great for food and entertainment, but not so much for kids. My wife and I live on Capitol Hill and work downtown and we aren't going to have kids so this is really the ideal life for us.

Bothell/Kirkland is totally suburbs. My boss with 4 kids lives up there. Depending on where you work it can be great (like Redmond as a commute) or can be hell (Renton as a commute)

I'd honestly look at West Seattle or Beacon Hill if a family is gonna happen.

Artereis

Makershot wrote: »

We'll need some actual details. What's your price range? Are you keeping your car? How much of a nightlife do you enjoy? Is quiet or convenience more important? Would you prefer republican or democratic neighbors? Will hearing other apartment dwellers mid-coitus bother you? How much do you want to avoid getting shot? Starbucks or Cafe Vita?* The more we know, the better we'll be able to help.

I will say this: if you're interested in food, I'd stay away from the Eastside entirely. They've got some nice restaurants, but Seattle proper has it beat three-to-one in that category, and you'll get sick of crossing 520.


*the correct answer is Ladro.

Our situation may end up being a little unusual. The job that I'm being sought for is a remote position, so I wouldn't be commuting anywhere. My wife would either also be working remotely because she was able to convert her job, or she would be looking for work. Night life may be a good thing? We don't really have any where we are now in Virginia, but if neither of us is working in an office, we may come to crave people being around.

There are, unfortunately, still a lot of unknowns over the whole thing. We don't necessarily know what we want yet, so what may be most helpful are people's own experiences, and what they did or didn't like about places they've been.

schuss

As someone who works from home - you'll either want a 2 bedroom place, with 1 room dedicated to office work, or a cube/desk rented at a coworking place.

Dehumanized

Yeah, if there will be a decent amount of work done from home, ensure that you have office space that is completely separate from your living space.

mynameaintyao

I've been working from our Redmond home for the past 4 years. Eastside is great for families but not-so-good for those wanting some semblance of a nightlife outside of hanging with your friends at home and playing games. We tend to have late dinners and the only after 10PM options are either fast food (yuck!) or pho. Luckily, we love pho but even pho lovers need a holiday.

We chose our home in Redmond for the following major factors:
* 10 minutes from my Microsoft office (no longer employed there btw)
* backyard shares a fence with the elementary school--our K and 4th grade kids can walk to school
* 10 minute walk to one of a shortlist of parks (Idylwood) with free parking and a beach

If we didn't have kids, then we would have definitely looked at the Westside in Seattle where you might even be able to get away with not driving.

Artereis

That's good info, thanks.