Seattle has buses. 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.
Kenmore to Juanita to Kirkland to Bellevue, someone has to commute along the northeast shore of Lake Washington and Metro's Route 234 does that. That's one way to tour some techie neighborhoods that have a surprising number of condos.
↑ An end unit, that condo rarity that reduces by one the number of neighbors you have to listen to. This end unit in Kenmore costs $228,304 (note: not $228,303 and not $228,305 but $228,304) for two stories stacked above the garage. The 3 bedrooms and 2.75 baths fit in 1,472 square feet and are nice hardwood floors and modern appliances. The building was completed in 2009, so it is relatively new. That should be good for insulation and appliances. Things like the acoustic buffer and the enclosed parking will never get old.
↑ Live beside the 8th tee. Here's a 3 story, 1,042 square foot townhouse on the Inglewood Country Club's course. For $189,900 you get 2 bedrooms and 1.5 baths, but one of the key questions is where do you park the cart? Or do you get to walk the course? Start or end the day with a quick nine and who cares about the indoor amenities, as long as there's enough room for your clubs and a change of clothes. No cleats indoors, just as a recommendation.
↑ Real woods growing outside, and a real fireplace inside for burning real (dead) wood, sounds like a cabin in the Cascades, but this is a 1,115 square foot condo with 2 bedrooms and 2 baths that is going for $189,900 (evidently a popular price point). If you don't want to use route 234, there's also the Burke-Gilman. Of course, maybe you can walk to everything you need. Location matters, and the right location saves money, too.
↑ If security is your thing, this condo has secured parking, and the rooftop deck is probably a secure place for parties. Like the other condos, living in Kenmore means living close to commuting choices, and local conveniences. It costs $194,950 to get the 2 bedroom, 1.75 bath, 1,063 square foot unit, but that is much more reasonable than some spaces in downtown Bellevue. The main difference is the cost of a bus ride.
↑ They don't call it a penthouse, but this condo is on the top floor, so maybe you can slap that label on it - after you pay $229,500 for the 2 bedroom, 2 bath, 1,003 square foot unit. At least no one will be dancing over your head. Top units also get things like vaulted ceilings, which can make a difference when cabin fever strikes others. For the little extra this unit costs, there are also common amenities like a pool, gym, and hot tub. And, of course, it is beside the Burke-Gilman, one of Kenmore's appealing features.
· Route 234 [Metro]
· Burke-Gilman Trail [KCR]
· All Bus Tours coverage [CS]
Written by Tom Trimbath