Seattle has buses (and trains). Use them! In which case you might as well find a place to live along a line. One line at a time. Here's the next one, selected at random for the fun of it.
From the convenience of suburbia to the academia and hipness of the U district, Metro Route 373 can take you from Aurora Village in North King County and drop you off to teach or take classes at UW. Skip the traffic and get ready for lectures, one way or another.
↑ The 2,560 square feet are split over two floors and a basement, which makes this $545,000 house look like a blocky three story. It has 4 bedrooms and 3.5 baths, but it looks like it has never been used. It was built in 2013, but sold in 2009 and 2011 for a lot less. Ask the neighbors about that story. The appliances are certainly shiny, stainless steel can be that way. An 8,000 square foot lot means enough room for a garden after you subtract out the house and driveway. Lots of potential, waiting.
↑ A Cold War era suburban one story with basement built on more than a quarter acre, it's almost iconic. Almost the same size as the one above, but here, 2,420 square feet contain 3 bedrooms and 3 baths (a nice average of for each) for $398,000. That's only $164/sq. ft. It looks clean, and empty, and comes with things like real wood fireplaces and a banquette. Someone spent a lot of time working on the backyard. In the decades that the house has been around, a lot of concrete, gravel, terracing and landscaping has established an area that is attractive and function; including a sport court, a small cement pond, and a lot less grass to mow.
↑ Ever felt as if your life was upside down? Oh, it's probably just the photo. This $365,950 house is smaller, at 1,840 square feet but it still finds room for 4 bedrooms and 3 baths. What could sound more suburban than to live on a small lot (7,392 sq. ft.) in a small cul-de-sac (only 7 houses) near the shopping center and the transit center? Make fun of it if you will, but it is a convenient life without a lot of drive-by traffic. But make sure the kitchen is right-side up. Ah, maybe they flipped the house.
↑A view and only $300,000? All you have to do is share one wall because this is an end-unit townhouse. You get balconies, vaulted ceilings, 3 bedrooms, 3 baths, and 3 stories - and no yard to take care of. It looks out over Echo Lake, which may not be the Sound, but it should attract wildlife and be a nice thing to look at as you wind down from the day.
↑ Minimalists, rejoice! A 781 square foot condo that has 2 bedrooms and 1 bath for $165,000. And, it's close to Costco; which isn't exactly a bastion of minimalism, but it is convenient. The kitchen is described as "efficient", which is appropriate in any place that has to use every square foot well. Even the balcony has room for a grill. There's even room for a washer and dryer. The unit probably has everything you need, including something you may enjoy - a much lower mortgage payment.
See anything you like?
· Route 373 [Metro]
· All Bus Tours coverage [CS]
Written by Tom Trimbath