Snoqualmie Valley – A Great Place to Make a Life!

View from Harbour Homes New Construction Plat in Duvall - Cherry Hill Vista

Ok, I feel compelled to blog on this topic not only because my family and I have made it home and love living here, but also I think many may have some misconceptions about Duvall and Carnation.

Woodinville/Duvall Rd

I remember when my husband moved here from Hawaii before the boys and I did, he temporarily took up residence with his Auntie in Sea Tac.  He regularly watches the news and when we’d talk on the phone, I remember him saying, like I was’ lolo’ or something (Hawaiian slang for stupid), “you want to buy a home in Snohomish????? It floods there.” Well duh, in many places where you find rivers, when there  can be  an exceptional amount of rain in a short period of time, quick snow melt, or a combination of the two, rivers are prone to spill over their banks! However, Washington is not a flat state and the majority of builders – or those who independently build or have built homes – don’t do so next to a river!

About to Cross the 124th Bridge, Headed Toward Redmond

Incidentally, we didn’t end up buying in my childhood town of Snohomish but made home on King counties eastside.  I’m not trying to deny we had flooding in January of 2009, which rendered residents landlocked for a day. I’ve lived in Duvall for  5 years now, and this occurred one other time since then and that was in November 2006; we were again landlocked for a day. (There are basically three thorough fares in and out).  So what’s the big deal? Who doesn’t want an excuse to take an unexpected day off now and then and not have the reason be associated with illness?

The Big, Bad, Scary River ending of April, 2009.

One thing people may not realize about this part of east King county…Duvall and Carnation are both 20 minutes from downtown Redmond; Duvall is tops, 25 minutes from downtown Woodinville; 35 minutes from downtown Issaquah (Carnation is 25 minutes from Issaquah).  Lots of people have decided to make it home because of the warm, smaller town atmosphere and sense of community. The other thing which is significant to mention is people can get more for their money when it comes to purchasing real estate. We have good schools and the lowest crime rate in the county.  It may be wise to consider taking up residency in The Snoqualmie Valley…especially if one appreciates outdoor recreation. I appreciate my field trips into the Emerald City and it only takes 45 minutes to get there.

From the opposite side of the valley, headed up Novelty Hill Rd into Redmond