With traffic getting worse, living in Seattle prop
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2/23/2008
Being a resident here since 1971, traffic in Seattle has been getting progressively worse. When we first moved here, one can get on I-5 and there was literally be no congestion whatsoever. Now, traffic is generally congested somewhere from 8 am - 7 pm on the highways and interstates. People generally don't like taxes here so the problem is not likely to be fixed soon, especially with the mayor's office predicting our population will increase by 100K (about 20%) in the next 10 years.
If you want to get anywhere, local streets are best.
With this said, we've chosen to remain in Seattle proper rather than moving to the suburbs. Right now, my commute is about 4 miles from work. It takes me 15 minutes on average, 10 minutes on "good days." You may have to settle for a smaller house and yard, but at least you have time to enjoy it when you get home every day (rather than just weekends).
School quality is an issue in Seattle and they are generally not as good in the suburbs. But if your kids can get into the Spectrum or APP(enhanced learning programs), they are actually better than what suburban schools offer. We also like the cosmopolitan nature of the Seattle which allows our kids to get to know kids from other nationalities.
We also like having things nearby. There are many supermarkets and department stores in most neighborhoods, not to mention the many smaller shops if you need to look for specialty items. Restaurants and take-out places are so convenient you can even walk to many of them in many city neighborhoods. You can't get this much selection in close proximity if your are in the suburbs.
City services are much more reliable in the city. When the power goes out, power is usually restored in less than half a day. If you are in the suburbs, it can take much longer - over 2 weeks after last winter's windstorm.
Despite such density relative to the suburbs, Seattle still has a "small town" feel due to it's zoning restrictions. Unless you live along an arterial, communities close to downtown or bedroom communities such as Fremont or Ballard, there are still plenty of neighborhoods with plenty of "elbow" room around your house. There's enough personal space, but not so much that you don't get to know your neighbors.
With traffic getting worse, it makes more and more sense to live in Seattle proper.
Sam | Seattle, WA