L.M.
Hi,
We live in Maple Leaf which is about 6 miles north of downtown.. In 2000 -2002 we live in S. everett.. I am so thankful to live closer to seattle I never worry about traffic.. we are a few miles from Greenlake, northgate ect.. I think maple leaf is more afordable than ravenna and wallingford.. We walk to parks and coffee shops.. I am not sure about schools I heard they are o.k. but my oldest is in kindergaten at King's in shoreline a private christan school that I went to when I was a kid. There is a mix of older people with younger familes which is so much fun. I rarely take the freeway I am so close to everything. If money were no object my dream neighborhood would be Broadview area they have such beautiful views and still close to the city but for now I am so happy with where we are located :)
Best of luck,
Lenci