Where are young families settling down?
Hi! Looking for opinions from Eastside parents of young children!
I grew up around Issaquah in the ’90s/early 2000s and had what felt like an idyllic childhood on Squak Mountain. There were tons of kids my age in the neighborhood, and we all went to school together. We’d bike to each other’s houses, play on sports teams together, trick-or-treat together, and our families would regularly congregate for backyard bbqs, etc. There was a really strong sense of community and belonging.
Now I’m considering moving back with my two young kids (1 and 3), and I’m wondering where that kind of neighborhood still exists on the Eastside (if at all!)
We’re primarily considering Issaquah, but also Kirkland, which we find a little more appealing for restaurants/amenities/etc. Budget is up to ~$1.6M for a 4-bedroom, and proximity to Seattle matters since we both work downtown.
I’ve heard that high home prices have changed the demographics of some Eastside neighborhoods and that fewer young families are moving in, but I’d love to hear from people actually living there.
Where are young families congregating these days? Are there specific neighborhoods where kids still play together, families know their neighbors, and there’s a strong community feel? Basically, where can my kids have something resembling the Eastside childhood I had in the ’90s?
Would especially love to hear from people with young kids in Issaquah, Kirkland, Sammamish, etc.! We love MI but it’s a bit out of budget for us.