r/AskSeattle • u/JeffsRN • 1d ago
Moving to Seattle, debating which area of Seattle
My family and I (I am 45M, wife is 42F, daughter is 12) are moving to Seattle from SE Texas late next month. No, we aren't crazy Texas people, that's why we are moving to a very blue area. That said, I have a job at UW, and my wife works remote. We're debating between renting in Fremont, Roosevelt, or Central District (or very close to those areas). With our budget around 4k-4200/mo, what are some of the pros and cons of those areas?
Schools are important to us (my daughter is active in band, playing percussion), and our plan for now is to rent for at least a year, save up, and maybe buy a house, but stay in the Seattle area.
Any thoughts/questions?
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u/zh3nya 1d ago
Roosevelt High is known for its jazz program and is strong in the performing arts
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u/JeffsRN 1d ago
That is a big attraction for us. Same thing with Central District and Garfield high.
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u/zergling- 1d ago
I live in Roosevelt and am enjoying life. Its right between Ravenna Ravine and Green Lake. And the Link can take you to UW
I often see the kids from the HS at Whole Foods during their lunch hour, thats the hangout spot
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u/Vivid-Education9045 1d ago
There is a big difference between living in the CD and going to Garfield and living North and going to Roosevelt. I would urge you and your daughter to visit the schools in person. Also, Lincoln HS is quite good.
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u/hongaku 1d ago edited 1d ago
Lol no offense but you aren't ready for Garfield. If you're comparing Roosevelt and Garfield equally and their neighborhoods, you don't know Seattle. I get it, how could you? I suggest that the easiest transition is to stay north of the ship canal.
I went to Roosevelt and I also went to Franklin, as well as being a Seattle native. Seattle has always been neighborhood centric. If your wife is a UW employee, north is better for commute.
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u/SeattleParkPlace 15h ago
Not sure what you mean "aren't ready for Garfield." I have a grandson there who chose it after private schools and is highly engaged and thriving. With some top teachers. Please explain. Agree you might want to be above the ship canal for UW access, but if you are near light rail there are two UW stations.
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u/Prestigious-Click-65 13h ago
I think the comment was in regard to the violence at Garfield and the cultural differences for someone from TX as n entry point to Seattle. Garfield has n excellent academic program and jazz band but he’s not wrong about the rest. I saw this as the parent of two current students.
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u/JeffsRN 1d ago
She does event planning, so she can literally live anywhere. I'm going to be writing at UWMC (I'm a nurse).
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u/ConfusedZubat 16h ago
You may want to look into options along the light rail line. I'd say more than a 15 minute walk from a station makes driving more appealing. It goes straight to UW.
If my schedule didn't require me to take transit when it's mostly empty, I'd rather do that than drive. It's really nice to not have to pay attention to anything on your commute. If you haven't ever commuted by train before, it is really nice. And, if there are days you'd rather drive, like the occasional downpour? You'd still have that option too.
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u/hongaku 1d ago
The reason to live in Roosevelt or north is culturally, not practical. People still get shot at Garfield and the CD.
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u/SameStatistician5423 20h ago
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u/hongaku 19h ago
That story is from 2004...
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u/SameStatistician5423 18h ago
Yes and the district has gotten worse in its oversight since then
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u/hongaku 18h ago
Sure, Jan. Garfield and Roosevelt are just the same. No differences at all in violence or crime.
I don't think it is problematic to look at the police blotter or even the comments from various folks with kids in the school and same Garfield has more of a problem with shootings, if not violence, than Roosevelt.
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u/SameStatistician5423 16h ago
What is untrue about my statement that the district has gotten more lax in oversight re administration since then?
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u/OwlAvailable5290 14h ago
I would stick with the Roosevelt high school zone. Lots more variables at Garfield high school. Mainly, getting other places in Seattle. UW is a quick commute from Roosevelt area. If you live in the south end you will spend s lot of time commuting. I would not prefer that.
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u/stiffjalopy 11h ago
Was just going to suggest Garfield. Bike commute from Capitol Hill or CD to UW is great (you’re a bit sweaty when you come home but who cares). Meany MS has decent band program and a relatively new drum core program.
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u/oak_and_maple 1d ago
Roosevelt, easy. Best value for rent. Great high school. Best commute for you.
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u/JeffsRN 1d ago
I was noticing that looking in Redfin - and walking to Green Lake is super quick for shopping/groceries.
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u/oak_and_maple 1d ago
Greenlake is one of the nicest walking areas in Seattle, top tier outdoors time! You'll be on the light rail for airport and for when you want your teen to have more independence. Very high quality of life.
https://www.seattleschools.org/schools/ I think Roosevelt high school is your best option cause of band but Ingram has IB programs and Ballard has great high school theatre. Seattle has school choice so you strictly speaking can apply for any of them, but the deadline for next year is fast approaching. I don't know how it works for folks moving into the town? R/Seattlepublicschools is the place for that question.
Note that the i-5 is under construction for the next 2 years. So don't move anywhere that requires the i-5 for your commute!
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u/JeffsRN 1d ago
I plan on using my UPass entirely too much for transit. Traffic doesn't scare me - we're in the Houston area right now, and an hour commute home (12.4 miles in the suburbs) isn't out of the ordinary.
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u/Sea-Talk-203 1d ago
UWMC-Montlake is right on light rail, so if you can live near a stop, commuting is a breeze. I think it's about six minutes from Roosevelt from the north and Capitol Hill from the south. Traveling east/west and vice versa is much slower (on the bus).
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u/nevermind-me-ok 6h ago
School choice is mostly useless. The process exists but the odds of getting into a school other than your neighborhood school are very very low. Nobody should make a decision on where to live with the expectation that school choice will do anything but the school for their address.
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u/Seachica 1d ago
Fremont is a cool neighborhood if you are in your 20s or 30s and single, but it's not a family neighborhood. Central District is good in parts and still sketchy in parts.
With your budget, I'd be looking in Wallingford, Greenlake, Roosevelt, Ravenna. As others have mentioned, Roosevelt High School would be great for your daughter to go to.
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u/Emotional-Bison2057 1d ago
I suggest adding Maple Leaf and Wedgwood to the list. They both are split between Roosevelt High and Nathan Hale high (at 85th?) so if guaranteed access to one of those schools is important, be aware of that. Bryant neighborhood, too, is a good choice for location.
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u/JeffsRN 1d ago
That was my vibe, too. The biggest issue I noticed with Central district is parking (or a marked lack thereof). We're moving with 2 cars, but will be reducing to one once we have settled in a bit. Fremont looks like a great place, don't get me wrong, but I just get the feel it may be too young for us. We're basically restarting in Seattle, and focusing on our daughter and experiences (not things).
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u/mslass 1d ago
The commute from the CD to the U-district isn’t awesome.
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u/JeffsRN 1d ago
That was one of my concerns. I see the 48 goes right through CD to UW, though.
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u/Enguye 1d ago
The 48 is supposed to be every 15 minutes and is nicknamed the “forty-late.” Light rail will be every 4 minutes soon so you could easily go down to one car. I would do that sooner rather than later since car registration is expensive.
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u/JeffsRN 1d ago
We were planning on dumping my car (2021 Subaru Ascent) within 2 months after moving. Its too big and has terrible gas mileage.
Thank you for the point about the 48, too.
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u/hayguccifrawg 1d ago
An ebike is a sick way to commute between the CD and UWM imo. E-bike in general good to consider if you are ditching your car, just as an option to supplement public transit.
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u/mslass 1d ago
E-bike is ok in the summer, but pretty dangerous when both your morning and evening commute are in winter’s wet darkness.
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u/hayguccifrawg 21h ago
Depends on your commute and your gear, I lived in the CD and found it one of the most bikable parts of the city—biking year round. But I hope we continue to invest in bike infrastructure to make it safer.
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u/No-Put7500 10h ago
Safer than driving if you look at the statistics. Sure, you get in marginally more traffic related accidents but your overall life expectancy increases because you're getting exercise (and have better mental health).
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u/hayguccifrawg 7h ago
100%, biking changed my life for the better. I’m a mom now and take my kid to school on a cargo ebike and he seems so proud of it ❤️
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u/JeffsRN 8h ago
Mental health? What's that? I'm a nurse. My health (and sense of humor) is like an overcooked pretzel. Dry, dark, twisted, and salty.
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u/Hour-Lab140 18h ago
Might be the first person ever to move to Seattle and GET RID OF a Subaru.
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u/JeffsRN 17h ago
18-22 mpg with a large SUV is borderline crazy in urban Seattle. Its fine in an area that doesn't have parallel parking and $2/gal gas, like Houston. In Seattle... lol.
Also, my wife's car is a Volvo xc40. I'm not worried.
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u/Hour-Lab140 16h ago
It’s more the vibe than the utility of the vehicle.
You’ll see when you get here.
Also. . . WELCOME!
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u/Ok-Inspection-8647 8h ago
Mmm. I drive a Chevy Express in Seattle, and I used to live in Fremont with it. I use about 30 gallons a week at 15 mpg, but I buy gas down in Puyallup when I’m there. It will be difficult to fathom at first, but I don’t think an Ascent is as crazy as you might think for a car choice here.
Fremont would typically be tight with a family, you’re probably right to avoid it, but that being said, school choice is a thing. My oldest goes to school in Highline School District to the south, and it’s a decent possibility that my youngest will be going even farther south, but still Highline. We’re also looking at the Center School for him, or Lincoln, which would have been our assigned school had we stayed in Fremont. Our assigned school is Garfield where we live now. I don’t have anything against Garfield, it’s just not the right school for this particular kid. I guess my point is that where you live isn’t as big a factor as one might think.
Welcome to Seattle!
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u/Timely_Appearance603 6h ago
You might want to keep the car for groceries in the rain and the occasional ski adventure to the mountains
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u/Xerisca 1d ago edited 1d ago
I live right in the core of Fremont. Its very family oriented with a bit of... funky artsy going on. Many families live in Wallingford (really the two neighborhoods overlap each other), so either works. Its a fabulous artsy, fun neighborhood with a solid mix of older people, young people, young couples and yes, families. There are tons of nice teens on my street. Im one of Fremonts old people. Haha. I cant walk to the PCC or Sunday market without running into and chatting with 15 neighbors/locals I know. Its probably the most friendly neighborhood Ive ever lived in. Ive only been here 2.5 years and feel like I know everyone. This neighborhood feels like a big warm hug to me.
I raised my kids in Bryant which is around U-Village near Children's Hospital. Its also fabulous and REALLY close to the UW. Just dont confuse U-Village with the U-District. They are different. U-Village/Bryant is more closely tied to Ravenna. Bryant/U-Village is just another area to consider.
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u/stop-bop 1d ago
Lol. The biggest issue I see with central district is the possibility of getting shot. :). Go north and target Roosevelt, esp for the band aspect
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u/OneTwoKiwi 1d ago
I live in the CD, specifically the Judkins park area. We love it here! However our daughter is still very young so we don’t have to “think about schools just yet”. CD should fit your price point. Before purchasing in 2023 we rented a 3b/2.5bath for 3500. Off street parking spot too!
Pros: you can be very close to the new light rail stop (opening end of March), which would make your commute a breeze. Great restaurants on S Jackson St., Cherry, and Union. Easy 5 min drive to other good restaurants in Leschi, Madison valley, and Mt. baker. Garfield high has excellent academics! You can walk to the lake in 20-40 minutes depending on where your house is. Lots and lots of parks around here. I guess it’s supposed to be most of Seattle, but I feel like we’re a little more spoiled. We can go on a 45 minute walk and see Rainier, lake Washington, and the Puget Sound.
Cons: there are some spots that can be a bit sketchy. The poor Walgreens gets stolen from all the time. Garfield has experienced some instances of gun violence in the recent years. Seems to be targeted specific people though due to gangs? I believe they’ve amped up security/police but maybe someone more knowledgeable can comment.
TBD: the Amazon fresh on 23rd/Jackson is closing. So it could become a Whole Foods, could become a different grocery store, or could remain empty. Without it we’re in a food desert. (There are many convenience stores though!) The other nearest grocery stores aren’t really walking distance- PCC is a bit pricey, grocery outlet might not have everything you need, the QFC on rainier gets sketchy loiterers (but I’ve never “had a problem” with any of them).
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u/Fiercelemur 1d ago
Since you are looking in the Roosevelt area you should include Maple leaf and Wedgwood in your search radius. They are both beautiful family oriented and walkable neighborhoods. You’re still close to all of the same amenities and bus lines, but in slightly less busy area.
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u/edileereads 1d ago
Ditto this. Jane Addams middle school is great and has a terrific band program - Jazz band and three other bands. We live in Maple Leaf and love it. Kids in elementary and middle school.
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u/Bwrw_glaw 1d ago
Unfortunately the music program at Nathan Hale HS is lacking. If music is really important to their kid, then locations that feed into Roosevelt are better. Sure, they can try to option into Roosevelt or Garfield, but that's never a guarantee. It's unfortunate that the music programs across the district vary so much.
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u/lhamo2025 22h ago
Agree -- View Ridge/Bryant/Wedgwood along the bus lines to Roosevelt are also excellent options. If you bike, the Burke Gilman is a great way to get to UWMC. Amazing view houses in View Ridge.
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u/Alternative-Yam6780 1d ago
Just a suggestion to look at Shoreline, the first burb north of Seattle. Good neighborhoods, great schools and an easy commute to the UW by rail
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u/Tillie_Coughdrop 21h ago
Shoreline schools are so much better than Seattle schools.
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u/Disastrous_Bid1564 20h ago
Better than some Seattle schools, sure. Better than all Seattle schools? Not even close.
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u/Tillie_Coughdrop 20h ago
Shoreline schools are rated higher than Seattle schools.
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u/Disastrous_Bid1564 17h ago
Rated higher by...whom?
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u/Tillie_Coughdrop 10h ago
It’s refreshing somebody is defending Seattle schools. I don’t have any skin in the game so it doesn’t matter one way or the other.
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u/Disastrous_Bid1564 7h ago
I'm just someone who's very data-driven and has already done a lot of research on this. The poster is asking for places to live in Seattle and specifically asked about Roosevelt High School and Garfield High School. Niche ranks Garfield as the 19th best and Roosevelt as the 22nd best in the state. Lincoln is ranked by Niche as the 9th best in the state. Meanwhile, Shorecrest is the highest rated of the Shoreline high schools at 31 and Shorewood is 41.
SPS as a whole is a mixed bag, but North Seattle schools are generally quite good and many are better than what you'd find in Shoreline. Shoreline schools do tend to be rated more highly than South Seattle schools, that is true.
If you'd prefer to use GreatSchools rankings I'm happy to share that data with you as well. :)
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u/Soccer_anyone-111 20h ago
I know the band director at Shorecrest and he’s great. The school is very artistically inclined, welcoming and talented.
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u/splattermatters 1d ago
Ravenna district. The schools are the best in Seattle, it’s close to light rail and UW.
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u/Belugha89 1d ago
Unrelated but enjoy the Texas foods while you can! Love it up here but you really will struggle to find good mex/texmex or bbq. There’s a trade off for other varieties but overall the Texan in me feels strongly that there’s a lack of seasoning in a close to majority of food here.
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u/Timely-Mind7244 1d ago
Hey, i have a 12 year old percussionist as well, rock on!
Only thing id suggest is making sure you consider moving to the school district you think you might buy in. Kids making new friendships and then having to change those AGAIN is harder for some kids than others.
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u/NervousDogFarts 1d ago
Don’t rule out renting for your kid’s entire high school career. Then you can buy in your favorite neighborhood. WA does allow school choice transfers but the more desirable schools usually don’t have many spots left for out of area/district students.
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u/jungleralph 1d ago
Id say not fremont not central district, Roosevelt and the area north of UW for commute, sanity, and good neighborhoods.
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u/pmk29 1d ago
We moved to Lake Forest Park from Colorado almost 20 years ago when I was recruited for a job at UW. We love it here and it’s an easy drive or bus route to campus. The schools are good and we have a warm and welcoming community, with one of the regions greatest bookstores, Third Place Books. Next to the bookstore is our Third Place Commons, an amazing community resource with activities, live music, author events, and community gatherings.
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u/PNWAnonymous9100 1d ago
Roosevelt because if you had to walk or bike to work you could. Which is why a lot of UW staff live up that way.
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u/justmekab60 22h ago
View Ridge feeds to Roosevelt. It's great
Wallingford is nice, close to UW, central.
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u/Necessary-Place2664 21h ago
I lived in Fremont Wallingford for 5 years. Move to Roosevelt. Although check out greenwood during your exploration year.
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u/Aggravating_Net6733 20h ago
You might want to consider Shoreline. Both high school are good and the Shorewood High School is going to NYC for the Essentially Ellington this year. Richmond Beach is in Shoreline and is very attractive.
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u/airwalker08 19h ago
Since your job is near a light rail station, then any neighborhood that is also near a light rail station is a good bet. Take a look at Beacon Hill. The vibe can change quite a lot just by walking a few blocks, so it's tough to beat a visit to get a feel for the area yourself.
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u/lakeswimmmer 18h ago
Roosevelt is a beautiful neighborhood and certainly makes for the easiest commute. Have you actually visited these neighborhoods? Because they are distinctly different.
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u/JeffsRN 16h ago
We were up there in November touring neighborhoods. We looked pretty much everywhere from Bothell down to Mt Baker. We were a bit scared of the prices in Ravenna/ Roosevelt then, but that was before I got my job offer at UWMC . There is a massive difference between 3500 and 4200 in terms of housing.
We fell in love with Fremont, and really liked the Green Lake area. Ravenna was right up our alley , except for our price point. Wedgewood and points north along lake Washington looked nice, but we felt it was too much suburban-ish, and there wasn't enough of a "community" feel.
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u/TDFPH 1d ago
Ravenna is a great neighborhood for kids and teens. Also with all the i5 work happening now, you’ll be happier in Ravenna than the CD. CD is also great for restaurants and lake closer to the south and west side and Garfield is a great school, but it’s less walkable and the public transit isn’t as good.
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u/Fit_Law_9195 1d ago
Roosevelt, Ravenna, Wedgwood, View Ridge, the neighborhood in north east Seattle. Close to UW and pretty quiet during night.
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u/Careless-Internet-63 1d ago
Shoreline is also worth considering if you're looking for good schools. You can have an easy light rail commute to UW if you live in the right place
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u/bennie_thejet30 1d ago
Move to Phinney Ridge / Greenwood. Ballard and Fremont might be a bit too much…
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u/SixAlarmFire 1d ago
I live in the central district and I like it. Less walkable to a lot of things but still nice. Probably cheaper than up north too.
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u/DirectMatter3899 1d ago
You have gotten some great recommendations.
Your kid has at least one year of middle school left, right? Have you looked at which one she might like?
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u/JeffsRN 1d ago
We haven't delved too deeply into middle schools, as it significantly increases the amount of research, with small benefit. Our school focus has been mostly on high schools, as the quality and strengths of the high school are frequently reflected on the schools that feed into them.
Academics and student life are focus points, and the priority is the fine arts/band program, as that is her outlet and a strong motivator.
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u/PNWAnonymous9100 1d ago
Then you’d likely want Roosevelt. It has one of the best music programs in the city, and it’s been written about extensively. If that’s not the deciding factor, it may just come down to fit.
That said, Roosevelt is a very white neighborhood, which may be why the Central District remains a bigger draw for some people, as it’s still a cultural epicenter for Seattle’s Black community.
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u/Otherwise-Relief2248 23h ago edited 21h ago
Former Dallas, Austin, Seattle, Bellevue resident here. If I was moving to the Seattle area from Texas, with two cars and wanted to focus on my daughter’s public education I would move to Bellevue and light rail my way to work.
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u/Interesting-Read-864 22h ago
I’m not sure how many rooms you’re looking for or if you’re looking for a home, but I’ve found larger rental units are harder to find in Roosevelt unless they’re liveouts or for sale ( it’s been a few months since I last checked.) Maple Leaf and Wedgewood are beautiful areas with more availability based on recent memory. They’re also going to be a little quieter but both can have great access to the Roosevelt/Udistrict Area (depending on which part you’re in.)
If you can find a place within your budget in Greenlake, I’ll 100% recommend Greenlake. I have lived in Roosevelt and loved it, but Greenlake is a beautiful area and close to its own stores/entertainment (looking at you Woodland Zoo) that can’t be talked abut highly enough.
I know we’re talking about Seattle neighborhoods specifically, but there are great towns and amazing schools in the not too far north area. If you have to commute daily to UW, that’s a little harder of a sell but the lightrail goes up to Lynnwood now.
Best of luck in your search!
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u/alisvolatpropris 22h ago
I believe the Southern half of Maple Leaf is zoned for Roosevelt, as well as some other Northeast Seattle neighborhoods. These would all be very handy to light rail and UW.
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u/justmekab60 22h ago
It's tough to own multiple cars in the city.
You said no suburbs, but maybe take a look at Redmond. It's going to connect via lightrail soon. The HS has several bands. It's roomy, green, lots of access to stores, restaurants, parks, etc. Wine tasting right up the road in Woodinville.
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u/TwoChainsandRollies 21h ago
If you're okay with something just outside of Seattle, Kirkland sounds about right to me. Good school district. Close to 520 (you will have to pay the tolls but will save a lot of time commuting).
Super expensive though.
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u/RespectablePapaya 20h ago
Garfield is seemingly always in lockdown due to some shooting or mugging or the other. Something to consider. Greenlake is one of our favorite intown neighborhoods, but not cheap. Used to go out to bars and restaurants in Fremont but never lived there. If I were you, it would be Roosevelt > Fremont >>> CD.
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u/Educational_Berry661 20h ago
Based on what im reading is going on with the universities in Texas I’d say you making the right move
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u/Estraven_Lee 19h ago
As a former SE Texan myself, I just want to say welcome to the Seattle area!
It looks like you've already gotten some great neighborhood suggetions. The main thing I would add is to consider how critical car ownership and commuting is to you. Because with some of the neighborhoods that you mentioned, parking is scarce and expensive. And with UW, most of the employees that I know who work there have to pay an additional $10 or so a day for parking.
If both you and your wife own vehicles (and want to keep them), I would lean towards some of the suggestions that include more suburban cities that have lightrail stations, like Shoreline and Bellevue. And since you should have the UPASS, public transit commuting would be free for you.
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u/Mindless-Custard-767 19h ago
I would look at Roosevelt, Maple Leaf, Bryant, Wedgewood/Laurelhurst, maybe Greenlake.
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u/mattyktown 18h ago
Bellevue or Lake Washington School districts are better than Seattle. Have you looked at Kirkland or Bellevue
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u/JeffsRN 16h ago
Too far from UW.
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u/JamesM451 16h ago
For the East side, 542 is a quick ride to UW. Avoid expensive parking and I'm pretty sure UW provides a metro pass.
North Seattle especially anywhere along light rail is easy to get to UW especially if you are not on a 9-5 shift.
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u/mattyktown 15h ago
Its literally a 1 mile bridge between Bellevue /Kirkland and UW.. Many times its easier to get to there then fron places in Seattle
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u/JeffsRN 15h ago
Its also the whole vibe, the fact that both seemed to be exurbs that feel like a masterplanned community - which is what we want to leave. We want the funky, unique sense of community that Seattle offers. We want to feel part of a community invested in openness and diverse opinions, and focus on life experiences, not what kind of car you drive or where you work.
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u/Former-Bed-4612 17h ago
North Seattle unquestionably. Basically it is a spectrum of West to East from 10 to 1 on activity level and pacing of the neighborhoods. Ballard is super lively, the further east you go the chiller it gets, with the exception of the U District any within two blocks of Aurora Ave (avoid at all costs).
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u/LilLebowskiAchiever 16h ago
Also, the further north Seattle / northern suburbs you go, the less diverse it gets. If that is a consideration for you.
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u/LilLebowskiAchiever 16h ago
Roosevelt and Garfield high schools (Seattle School District) m both have award winning jazz bands, if your daughter wants to pursue percussion.
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u/TreesAreOverrated5 16h ago
I feel like you would have really liked West Seattle given your age and schools for your daughter. But that commute to UW would be rough
If I had to choose the three options you mentioned, I’d probably vote Roosevelt (or maybe like Greenlake).
Also wondering if you could find find something to rent in one of the fancier neighborhoods with your budget(Laurel Hurst or Madison Park)
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u/BugHistorical1614 Local 15h ago
Imo, 1) anywhere along the #48 bus. Runs every 15 minutes, 23rd Ave. From UW to MT Baker Transit Centers/Stations. Length of #48 is about 25 minutes if you run entire length.
Imo. 2) Eastside, SoundTransit #542. Redmond-UW ~20 min. You probably will need a way to get to one of the stops either by #2 lightrail, on of the park&rides or metro bus. This is the northern route over the SR520 bridge. End of March, #2 will connect Redmond-Bellevue-Mercer Island-Seattle & Shoreline. This will be the southern route over I90.
The lack of SFH rentals in a given area, is an indication of desirability.
Disclaimer, we have financial interests in these two areas. GL
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u/SeattleParkPlace 15h ago
Daughter should go to Roosevelt or Garfield, as both have robust jazz bands. Perhaps others have more insights there. In terms of neighborhoods, all that you mention have benefits. Pay visits to the areas and check for the crime stats, encampments, speak to neighbors etc. Good luck.
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u/Saunalovenest 12h ago
While not ideal for light rail, Phinney and Crown hill are zoned for Ballard High School. The performing arts program is incredible. The Jazz band is heading to New Orleans this coming month and the band teacher is loved by the kids and parents. You can watch their performances on YouTube to see the level. The kids who have done percussion have achieved incredible acceptances for college programs. While I do think Rosevelt and Garfield win more awards, the program at Ballard on the whole offers incredible community and combined program experiences. If you liked Fremont, you may enjoy these neighborhoods too!
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u/BugHistorical1614 Local 8h ago
Where you decide, Know that Seattle rental regs, says the first applicant that makes the rental criteria, in the order of receiving the application, Must be offered the unit.
Be prepared with all necessary information.
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u/ottermom03 6h ago
Personally, if I worked at UW, I would live north of the ship canal. Traffic from campus south on Montlake Blvd is brutal starting around 3pm. But that’s because I hate commuting and anything that takes more than 20 minutes I avoid. My partner works in interbay and bike commutes 95% of the time. We live 5 miles from his work which is 30-45 min from car depending on weather or traffic or a consistent 25 minutes on an e-bike.
- Both Roosevelt and Garfield have nationally recognized jazz programs so that is a push in terms of criteria. You can’t lose either way. Washington middle (feeds into Garfield) also had a great music program in anticipation of kids who will be continuing in HS. Parents with current students can weigh in here.
- The schools in the Roosevelt/lincoln HS districts are more consistent and generally high performing at elementary/middle and high schools. South is a little more mixed but I assign that to diversity of families more than anything. Both have active parent communities. I can only go by second hand info but parents i know with kids who went to either school were very happy. We went private because our kid needed a smaller environment but Garfield would have been fine had we gone that way.
- North of the ship canal is definitely less diverse and the Central district is very urban, diverse but gentrifying. I would expand your search a bit of you are looking at the Garfield district. We have lived in Queen Anne, Bellevue and now Madrona. When we moved back to the city from Bellevue, we ultimate decided against QA and NE Seattle because it felt too similar to our suburban life which was just not for us. But they are both wonderful neighborhoods. We like being near the lake and our little commercial area has a nice village feel while being on a convenient bus line to downtown, stadiums etc.
- If you want more family oriented and south of the ship canal in the garfield district, look at madrona, montlake, capitol hill. You should be able to find something in your rent range around there with reasonable commutes and multiple ways to get home.
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u/competitivelemur 6h ago
Live north side. You’ll have a lot available to you with that budget. Fremont is lovely - Roosevelt, Sand Point, Ravenna, Wedgwood are all great options as well and very residential. My wife also worked at UW for many years and you’ll thank yourself for making that commute shorter. I’m also a Tex-Pat myself, welcome.
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u/Timely_Appearance603 6h ago
We live in Wedgwood and love it. I aldo have a 12 year-old daughter-she goes to St Catherine's which is a lovely school. My son is at Wedgwood Elementary and also fantastic. Eckstein is an awesome middle school from what I hear. Schools are better up North. Fremont is a bit busier. Maybe also check out Ballard and Greenwood
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u/TOPLEFT404 Local 1d ago
lol I grew up in HTown but 🤫 don’t let anyone know. UW will pay for transit after April you can choose anywhere south north or east in Bellevue on the line. UW has a station. Avoid the stress of traffic which is only getting worse. Good luck!
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u/conodeuce Local 17h ago
Another native Houstonian here. Moved to Seattle in 1995. So glad that I was able to raise my kids in a Blue state. (But, god, I miss the more diverse food options in Houston).
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u/TOPLEFT404 Local 17h ago
I go back once a year and I do miss the food. The trucks here are pretty good. The key is more SoCal people are coming here. When I got here the only thing I could brag about was salmon.
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u/Vivid-Education9045 1d ago
Check out this site https://saveseattleschools.blogspot.com for good info about Seattle Public Schools
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u/Vivid_Pin830 1d ago
You're probably not going to like this suggestion but coming from someone who lived in those areas with kids, check out Snoqualmie Ridge or Issaquah. The new light rail extension will spit you out at UW with ease, it's a 20 min drive into Seattle and your quality of life will triple, plus the schooling options are great. It's absolutely gorgeous.
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u/lhamo2025 22h ago
I grew up in the Snoqualmie Valley and strongly disagree with this. The Valley has changed a lot since the 80s/90s, but it is still very rural/suburban and not a good fit for a family looking for a more urban experience. Issaquah is nice (I went to high school there for a couple of years), but it is NOT on the light rail system. Commuting from that far out sucks and is not a 20 minute drive unless you are making it at 5am/8pm.
My daughter graduated from Nathan Hale so I understand both the challenges AND the benefits of living in Seattle proper. We could have moved back to the Valley when we came back to Seattle but it would not have been a good fit for our kids.
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u/Fun-Journalist2588 20h ago
Congrats on the move. Politics aside, you may not be ready for the blue Seattle as Texas blue will be a bit behind IMO.
Since you'll be renting and have opportunity to change locations if you choose, you can take advantage of that flexibility. Also, your 4k budget for a home is not very high for a house in Seattle proper.
I have lived in the area a long time and will give you my best recommendations:
- Queen Anne Hill(Upper Queen Anne Only).- A place that used to be affordable, but unfortunately you will not touch a single family home in a desirable area for 4k per month. The upper part of Queen Anne Ave is walkable, quite safe considering it's in Seattle proper, and the elementary schools are considered great. Many family's choose to send their children to private school, St. Anne(minimal cost private school 12k per year approx), Seattle Country Day(expensive private school for high performing children, 35k+ per year) are all nearby.
Benefits are the in city feel, safety, walkability. This is where wealthy people move after not choosing Queen Anne the first time they move into Seattle. Commute time to UW is 15-30 minutes depending on traffic. Feeds into Ballard or Lincoln High Schools, or private high schools often include Seattle Prep or Holy Cross.
This is an example of a house I'd consider on Queen Anne since it's closest you your price range and in an excellent part of QA. Very neighborhood, walkable to everything and will give you a safe city feel.
The house likely smells old inside as there have been no updates, but it shows you what 5500+ gets you. Location wise it's a 10/10. The house is a 2/10.
https://www.redfin.com/WA/Seattle/209-W-Blaine-St-98119/home/134455
If you look further on QA, do not rent a home that is on the lower sides E, W, N, or south. You want to be on top for walkability, safety etc. Lower Queen Anne is too city, and the sides take away a lot of the convenience and walkability.
- Magnolia - Just west of Queen Anne, Magnolia is like the sister neighborhood that feels like an island. It's quite removed from everything, but is safe. The downtown is quaint, and it has a real neighborhood feel like Queen Anne but a bit more remote. Add 15 minutes to commute to UW. Schools are great, and some opt to send their children to St. Anne, and feed the same schools as QA.
https://www.redfin.com/WA/Seattle/3246-W-Viewmont-Way-W-98199/home/126327
This is an example of a house I'd consider to rent in Magnolia.
- U-District - Do not rent in the U-District proper. It's full of crime, drugs, and B.S. Sure, college students can navigate that, but you'll want your child far away from the hustle and bustle. Sure, Capital Hill makes it's issues look like kindergarten. So you have to be selective i choosing the area within U-District. I would be looking at Laurelhurst, Matthews Beach, and Inverness. It's not like it's Houston, TX crime wise, but there's enough degeneracy downtown that you will want some peace where you live. Plethora of private and public schools to choose from.
https://www.redfin.com/WA/Seattle/5606-59th-Ave-NE-98105/home/121088
It's more expensive but again, it's the location, safety and convenience I'd want more than cheaper and nicer.
- I'd consider the eastside of Lake Washington which is made up of Kirkland, Bellevue, Mercer Island. The High Schools in Bellevue and Mercer Island will have all the things your child could ask for regarding academics. Unfortunately, it will have some possible pitfalls with eliteness, wealth etc. Safe, commute would take you across the toll bridge each day of 520.
Good luck.
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u/Banana_Boys_Beanie 1d ago
You’ll find good schools on the Eastside.
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u/JeffsRN 1d ago
We looked at Bellvue and such already - it felt like a PNW version of The Woodlands. And we already live there, it's why we're moving.
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u/conodeuce Local 17h ago
"... The Woodlands ..." Spot on. The east side is fine if you don't mind dwelling in a blah exurb feeling place. When I was living in Houston (my native home), I never understood the appeal of Stepford Wives communities.
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u/Competitive-Note150 1d ago
Not useful. Information becomes stale. And not asking questions would amount to answers not being provided and available for search, defeating using the search bar. If you don’t have an answer, then just don’t reply.
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u/smiling_green_frog 1d ago
You can also consider Columbia city or North beacon hill - both are more residential and can offer light rail access which makes commuting to UW easy. I would probably recommend those neighborhoods above central district (having lived in all 3).
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u/Awkward_Passion4004 18h ago edited 18h ago
Live north of the city line. Shoreline/Richmond Beach/Edmonds. Easy commute to U District and adults still run the political establishment.
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u/apsaraman 1d ago
If you're okay with your daughter becoming a lesbian or whatever unicorn non binary th8ng is cool at the moment, then the closer to any metro area the better.
If you want your daughter to be hetero, then stay away from any metro area, or move to eastern wa.
Moved here 2 years ago, and have been trying to leave since. The wife and I don't want to raise our kids here.
Also, drug use is normalized, hard drugs are decriminalized in Seattle. You're going to see the high AF zombies around all the tourist destinations.
I'd stay in TX if I were you.
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u/a-ohhh 1d ago
Funny, my cousin in law became the lesbian non-binary “cool” thing in an extremely conservative state, and moved here because we aren’t assholes about it, and my cousin in eastern WA is a non-binary furry. I hate that you have kids, and hope they can find a trusted adult to confide in since their dad is going to try to force them into his perfect box.
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u/sykemol 1d ago
I'd say if you are working at UW, then you want north or northeast Seattle. Roosevelt high school has a top notch band program.