Recently a buyer posted a question on Trulia asking if a specific neighborhood was a good place for kids.  There are strict rules about what Realtors can say and not say about neighborhoods.  Saying something negative about a specific neighborhood can be viewed as “steering” .  (Illegally guiding of clients away from a specific neighborhood) We can however point you in the direction of resources where you can determine for yourself what neighborhoods fit best for you.  Here are the sites I suggested to her:

Seattle Public Schools Boundary Maps:
http://www.seattleschools.org/area/m_schools/index.dxml

Keep in mind that a district has the right to move boundary lines as they see fit.  Just because an area feed into a specific school today, doesn’t mean that it will when your 1 year old is old enough to attend.

Walk Score:
http://www.walkscore.com/

Great web site for checking out a neighborhood.  Enter any address and a Google Map will populate with amenities in the area surrounding that address.

Seattle Crime Stats:
http://web1.seattle.gov/mnm/default.aspx?tabId=3

Don’t get freaked out.  All neighborhoods have crime. 

Zip Skinny:
http://zipskinny.com/

Put in a specific zip code and this site will provide you will all kinds of demographic information for that area.

Great Schools:
http://www.greatschools.org/

Find ratings and comparisons for specific schools.

Office of the Superintendant of Public Instruction:
http://reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us/summary.aspx?year=2008-09

Great site for comparing districts or schools.  All kinds of information including test scores for individual schools.

Give me a call if you need help.

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Rob Graham, You Seattle Home Buying Expert

Windermere Real Estate

206-321-6349

robgraham@windermere.com

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