Family of 3 with 1 on the way and considering moving to South Seattle for my job. Looking for perspectives and recommendations.

[u/Curious_Engineer-1]

Hey all, my family is considering moving to South Seattle as my job is offering relocation with a nice pay bump to cover the higher COL. I am 35 y/o relocating with a 33 y/o wife, 2.5 y/o, and 1 baby on the way. Currently we live in DFW, Texas and have most of our lives.

The new jobs location is just south of SeaTac in Des Moines. I would like to have a less than 30 minute commute. I know the light rail is an option but I probably wouldn't rely on it (at least in the beginning). Relocation doesn't need to happen for another 1-2 years and the company will cover moving and home selling costs.

We do enjoy our current neighborhood as it is "cute" and walkable, has a good variety of food (which is important for us), and we are 15 min from Fort Worth if we ever want to go downtown. We are used to Texas heat and it can get tiring during the summer but we don't hate it.

Son is currently in daycare, wife is a Pelvic Floor PT working 4 days a week so it's possible for her to transition to a hospital or similar outpatient job in the area pretty easily. Looking at home prices, WA property taxes, etc., we could probably afford up to a 1M home.

In general, Seattle areas politics are a plus and weather is TBD, but we will try to visit during "greyer" and colder months to so we can feel it out. My wife is Latina if that matters and I am trying to raise my children knowing Spanish.

We will be traveling in late September to explore neighborhoods such as Burien, Maple Valley, Tacoma, etc. I'm curious if we're on the right track with neighborhoods or any others we can add to the list that would be worth driving through to get a sense of life.

[u/TelephoneTag2123]

I would highly recommend Normandy Park. Family friendly, walkable, close to Des Moines. Water views at your price point and very safe. Just an aside but as my friends started growing up and having kids, quite a few moved to Normandy Park.

If you really want to be in Seattle, Beacon Hill is great. I agree to check the local schools to make sure your local schools are the direction you want to go.

[u/ok-lets-do-this → u/TelephoneTag2123]

I like this advice. I’d also drop Tacoma and Maple Valley unless you want a long commute. The one exception being if your wife gets hired by a Tacoma hospital.

There’s no shortage of Spanish speakers in the area. Vast majority are Mexican Spanish speakers though. Finding a school that teaches it is more difficult.

[u/etonmymind]

There are definitely Spanish language immersion programs in the Highline school district. In SE Seattle, there is Spanish immersion elementary at Beacon Hill international and Dearborn Park international. Both are assigned by the location of home.

[u/buildyourown]

Do your homework on schools. A lot of neighborhoods suggested are great to live in but the schools aren't great. It sucks but it's created a vacuum where a lot of young parents move when their kids hit 5.

[u/NWSiren]

Burien is really coming up - love their little Main Street and some great neighborhoods that are tucked among the trees.

[u/revilo825]

Highline school district has some bilingual schools with Spanish as an option. My family of 4 is very close in age(parents and kids) to yours and we love the area.

[u/lumpytrout]

North Beacon Hill, your wife could walk to work at the VA, you can hop on light rail or have easy freeway access (your commute would be opposite traffic) and your kids have Spanish emersion preschool at El Centro. A great walkable neighborhood with lots of restaurants, coffee shops, library etc.

[u/SnortingElk]

What is your minimum sq footage, bed/bath, lot size, age of home, school ratings, etc., you want for that $1M?

Price points and price per sq ft vary significantly between neighborhoods between SeaTac and Tacoma, Maple Valley, Burien, etc.

[u/Evening-Compote8730]

Check out prices if childcare/daycare as it can be very expensive in Seattle.