[Bleyseng]

Kirkland-Juanita is pretty nice as is Redmond with easy access to Bellevue. I don't like Woodinville, never have. Forget driving from Tacoma or anywhere south of Newcastle (another cool little area south of Bellevue with homes in your price range)
They just are putting the finishing touches to a major upgrade on I405 which runs down the middle of Bellevue. All of the Eastside if suburban living with malls and more strip malls.
Seattle has the old houses and quaint neighbor hoods like SanFran. I90 commute to Bellevue is ok maybe 30 minutes. Lots of decent houses on both sides of the pond.

Geoff (lived in these parts for 50 years)