KenmoreNeighborhood Profiles December 18, 2017

Essential Kenmore Commuting Tips: Seaplanes, Buses, Bikes, Cars, & More!

With the help of local Jen B, we’ve put together this handy guide to commuting from Kenmore. From the more unique options of seaplanes and biking to more traditional driving and transit options, Kenmore offers a little bit of everything to suit your style.

Commuting in Kenmore by Plane

Perhaps the most unique commuting option in Kenmore is to commute by seaplane via Lake Washington. “Kenmore Air is a great options for chartering or taking scheduled flights to the San Juans, Canada, and beyond!” shares Jen. Kenmore Air also provides private charters to other areas—need to hop over to Lake Union? It’s a possibility with Kenmore Air!

Commuting in Kenmore by Car

“522 is the main drag in Kenmore and it connects commuters to Eastside and Seattle,” says Jen, and Kenmore is located in between Highway 405 (to the east) and Interstate-5 (to the north). There’s also the Kenmore Park-and-Ride as well, a facility with 603 parking space, bicycle lockers, and several buses coming and going all day long.

Commuting in Kenmore by Bus

“Bus stops are plentiful here!” shares Jen. Served by both King County Metro and Sound Transit, you can hop on a bus heading almost anywhere from Kenmore. Whether you need to get to Shoreline or head into Downtown Seattle to work, the vast network of buses makes it all possible. Click here to find more information on specific routes!

Commuting in Kenmore by Bike

“The Burke-Gilman Trail runs between 522 and Lake Washington [and] makes a VERY scenic route to work for cyclists who have a final destination in Redmond or Seattle (and places in between),” shares Jen. With beautiful views of Lake Washington and a convenient route that begins in Kenmore, the Burke-Gilman Trail is the perfect way to squeeze your daily workout and commute into one and the same! Click here to see a map complete with road access points.

Commuting by Light Rail

With Light Rail expanding north from Seattle, Kenmore residents will be able to take advantage of commuting while being able to skip car traffic! The Light Rail has several new stops planned from University of Washington to Everett that you might be able to take advantage of if you live in Kenmore. Click here to check out the complete list of projects, light rail station locations, and timelines.

Lake Forest ParkNeighborhood Profiles November 2, 2017

Lake Forest Park

Welcome to Lake Forest Park!

For those who love the great outdoors without being too far from premium city amenities, Lake Forest Park  is a dream come true! Nestled along the shores of picturesque Lake Washington and north of Seattle and Bellevue, Lake Forest Park offers the opportunity to truly have it all. Whether you need to commute into the city for work or want to spend a day on the beach, it’s all wonderfully within reach.

As Jill L points out, living in Lake Forest Park is “like being in an enchanted forest.” She adds that large lots cater to gardeners, and there’s even an amazing Garden Club you can join. Claudette M shares that “Most homes are on large lots, many along streams or creeks. The many trees that are the city’s namesake provide an immense amount of privacy between neighbors.” Keep exploring our guide to Lake Forest Park to see why people love this city! 


Getting Out & About

One of the coveted perks of owning in certain Lake Forest Park neighborhoods (there are quite a few that qualify) is eligibility for membership in the Lake Forest Park Civic Club. Members play on the shores of Lake Washington, enjoying access to the private beach/swim area and boat launch.

The Civic Club is well known with plenty of surrounding homes being deeded in, but lesser known is the adjacent Sheridan Beach Club which provides excellent amenities, shore access, a pool and most importantly, a heightened sense of community. If you’re looking for it all in LFP, the Beach Club is where you should start.

Go for a run, walk or bicycle ride on the Burke-Gilman Trail, along the shore of Lake Washington.

The Lake Forest Park Farmer’s market on Sundays is awesome.


Commuting From Lake Forest Park

Lake Forest Park residents predominantly rely on car & bus for their commutes to Seattle or the Eastside. However, with convenient access to a 2-mile stretch of the Burke-Gilman Trail that passes through the city, there is a robust population of residents that commute into Seattle by bicycle, and particularly work centers such as the University of Washington & Children’s Hospital.


Homes in Lake Forest Park

Lake Forest Park was designed as a bedroom community for Seattle, so much of the housing consists of single family homes built between the 1950s and early 1980s. The city is very hilly, so multi-level, split-entry and one-story with basement homes that accommodate the topography are common. The hilly topography also translates into many homes enjoying Cascade Mountain or verdant territorial views, and some with Lake Washington views too.

Neighborhood ProfilesSo Everett October 1, 2017

South Everett

Welcome to South Everett!

Described by local Brian H as “growing, affordable, and convenient,” South Everett is in a wonderfully central location that offers great commuting options. But aside from being close to the many jobs and attractions in Everett, Seattle, and the surrounding areas, South Everett offers its own set of things to do and see! From excellent shopping, bountiful dining options, and lovely outdoor opportunities, South Everett offers its residents with a long list of top-notch city amenities to explore.

Take advantage of everything that South Everett has to offer all while benefiting from its affordability, wonderful sense of community, and of course, it’s aviation facilities and attractions. South Everett is home to Boeing, Paine Field, the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum, the Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour, and more flight-inspired attractions.


Getting Out & About

“I love the silver lake park. Excellent facilities for big or small events at fort Patterson and great big huge place for kids to play. Paddle boarding kayak and tubing!” Janet B

“Don’t forget Emory’s, a great place for dinner, and you can cozy up to the large outdoor fireplace too.”Greg B


Commuting from South Everett 

“Close enough to the city and the I-405 interchange yet far enough to feel like you’ve somewhat escaped! Quick commute up north if you’re headed to Lake Stevens or Bellingham.”Heather P


Homes in South Everett 

“A mix for sure. There are many older established nice neighborhoods, all different styles of homes, and a mix of new construction. Townhomes and condos as well.”Heather P

“Lots of nice neighborhoods, accessible to everything, affordability.”Brian H

MukilteoNeighborhood Profiles July 7, 2017

6 Aviation-Related Opportunities Not to Miss Out on in Mukilteo

From inspiring aviation education to exciting aviation-related career possibilities, the Mukilteo area is your go-to for reaching new heights (literally!). Take advantage of living in or visiting the Mukilteo area, and check out these top-notch tips on aviation-related sights, events and opportunities:

Paine Field

  • Located at 3220 100th St. SW Everett, WA 98204

In the fall of 2018, Alaska Airlines will begin offering commercial flights out of Paine Field, which is a huge deal for Mukilteo and its surrounding cities! Alaska Airlines will start by offering 9 flights per day, which the airline estimates will help over a million people drastically shorten their commute times. In early 2018, Alaska Airlines will announce flight schedules and routes, and will being selling tickets. Get the full scoop here!

As far as how this will impact locals, my colleague Aranka has some thoughts and insight on this major addition:

“For many years I felt very much against bringing commercial airport to Mukilteo—not to my backyard! Just the thought of it terrified me; what could happen to my little community, home values, to schools and to air quality… those are real issues. But now [that] the fight is over to stop the airport, I have been thinking a lot [about] how it really will affect my personal life and my sweet little community.”

“I have also spoken with several people who [have] lived/or have relatives living close to [a] small airport, [and I think that] bringing a small airport to my community might have benefits. When I travel to west coast cities, I will not need to drive to Seattle (we all know how bad the traffic is regardless the time of the day)—I will save at least 4 hours of driving, not to mention parking cost! I probably should factor in the stress too.”

“I like to think forward… in my opinion the airport, is not going to be a liability, but rather an asset. Just like we used to think that living close to buses and freeways [could be] detrimental for home values… well… I don’t think that way any more… look at the home values located close to train/light rail stations. I’m actually excited that we have so many options of transportation in Mukilteo. The media talks so much about ‘the airport noise and Mukilteo,’ [and] in my opinion the noise might be more noticeable in Lynnwood, Everett and Edmonds than [in] Mukilteo.”

Additionally, if you’re looking for a job in aviation, you’ll definitely want to check out Paine Field! A unique airport, it’s home to over 650 aircraft, a Boeing manufacturing plant, and five aviation restoration/tour centers. Paine Field provides high-quality services to customers and has brought nearly 76,000 jobs to the local economy. You can learn more about employment with Paine Field here.

Future of Flight Aviation Center & Boeing Tour

  • Located at 8415 Paine Field Blvd. Mukilteo, WA 98275
  • Hours: 8:30am-5:30pm (Aviation Center); 9:00am-3:00pm (Boeing Tour)

For a one-of-a-kind experience perfect for all ages, go see the Future of Flight: there are models of jet engines, you can design your own airplane and this is where you start the Boeing Factory Tour, the only opportunity to publicly tour a commercial jet assembly plant in North America.

Historic Flight Foundation

  • Located at 10719 Bernie Webber Dr. Mukilteo, WA 98275
  • Hours: 10:00am-5:00pm Tuesday-Sunday; closed Monday

Aviation and history buffs will love the Historic Flight Foundation! They offer a collection of the most important aircraft from 1927 to 1957, fully restored and airborne. You can experience the roar of a classic engine, watch the restoration process in action, and marvel at the results of innovation from some of the greatest trailblazers.

 

Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum (FHCAM)

  • Located at 3407 109th St. SW Everett, WA 98204
  • Hours: 10:00am-5:00pm (7 days a week from Memorial Day-Labor Day; then Tuesday-Sunday)

Give your kids a deeper education at the Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum. With interactive exhibits featuring a rare collection of authentically restored aircraft, tanks, and other technologies from World War II, your children will get a look into the past and a glimpse what it takes to preserve these artifacts for the future.

 

Paine Field Aviation Day

  • Located at 9689 Airport Rd. Everett, WA 98204
  • When: Every year in May

For an event everyone will love, once a year Paine Field has Aviation Day. Kids can take a flight and meet the pilots, view one-of-a-kind aircraft, and watch flying demonstrations. This year’s (2017) Aviation Day has already passed, but be sure to keep your eyes open for 2018!

 

FHCAM Skyfair

  • Located at 3407 109th St. SW Everett, WA 98204
  • When: July 22, 2017; 10:00am-4:00pm

Summertime is perfect for air shows, and Mukilteo has some of the best. “The air shows are fantastic to watch,” shares Greg B. “I’m sure that future pilots and engineers have been inspired by witnessing [these exhilarating air show events].” FHCAM’s annual Skyfair is coming this July and will feature vendors, kids activities, and a fantastic flying show at 1:30pm. You can find a full schedule of events here.

MukilteoNeighborhood Profiles July 5, 2017

Mukilteo

Welcome to Mukilteo! 

Known for its supportive, strong community and gorgeous waterfront location, Mukilteo is a destination for work, play, and fun! Brimming with excellent city amenities to take advantage of and several top-notch opportunities for outdoor adventure, Muktileo is ready to be explored. Whether you’re looking for a scenic, relaxing day at the beach, a day of shopping, or hoping to head out for a day of mountain biking, you can find it all in this city by the sea.

Mukilteo is also known for its aviation-focused museums, jobs, and events. Home to some excellent aviation museums, a Boeing manufacturing plant, tens of thousands of jobs in the aviation industry and more, Mukilteo is the ideal place to visit or live in whether you’re trying to inspire an interest in aviation, an aviation enthusiasts, or someone with a career in aviation. Mukilteo draws some of the world’s and regional high tech, aeronautic, medical, and innovative industry. That brings a cornucopia of brilliant minds to this community.

When it comes to real estate in Mukilteo, there’s something for everyone. Home to a diverse range of real estate, you can find everything from smaller starter homes to elaborate residences with impressive views of the Puget Sound.


Getting Out & About

“Who wouldn’t want to be from the MUK! The sticker says it all. Mukilteo is a quaint community that not many people know about and even fewer who know how to pronounce the name. I happen to think one of the best beaches in Snohomish county is right in the MUK. Our beach features built in fire pits, a fantastic beach side playground, a substantial shelter perfect for parties all year round, boat launch, lighthouse, plus ice cream and fish & chips within walking distance to the beach.” – Jenny E

“Love love love Big Gulch trail. One minute you’re in the middle of civilization and the next you’re far far away in a place that could be hundreds of miles away.  Just a small sign marks the trail head across from the fire department. I’ve spent many hours breathing, thinking, singing on that trail!!” –Janet B

There is also the garden club, historical society, orchestra and the landmark graveyard. Headstones tell the story of our founder’s lives and untimely deaths including the young from influenza and those that built and called Mukilteo “good camping spot” their permanent home.


Commuting from Mukilteo

Train, ferry, plane, bus, bike, what did I miss… oh, yes cars too. Located at the tip of I-5 & I-405 and also easily accessible to 99, commuters have a variety of routes to choose from to get just about anywhere. Mukilteo offers a myriad of options for commuting, including the ferry that runs between Mukilteo and Clinton on Whidbey Island. You can view the ferry schedule here!

The Sounder Commuter train stops in Mukilteo daily on its way to and from Seattle to Everett. Click here to view the Sounder Train morning and evening schedules for the Seattle to Everett commute.


Homes in Mukilteo

 “Mukilteo offers a very wide range of homes. From the most expensive and elaborate that enjoy unique spectacular views of the Olympic Mountains, Islands, and Puget Sound waters with its ever changing nautical and aquatic traffic. Mukilteo also offers many affordable carefree communities of well maintained condominiums. In between the most elaborate homes and lovely condos there is a choice of every price range and neighborhood in between. In other words there is a place for everyone on Mukilteo.” -Greg B