Southeast Auburn

Whether you're looking to settle down in a community where you're close to your fellow neighbors or prefer a more rural feel with plenty of privacy, the hilly neighborhood of Southeast Auburn has you covered. "The hills are the most desirable aspect of living here," says Megan White, Realtor with RE/MAX who has lived in Auburn most of her life. "It's also much more affordable than other parts of the Seattle area."

About 30 miles south of Seattle, Southeast Auburn features one housing development called Edgeview. The development, which has a homeowners association, offers many Craftsman-style homes built between 2013 and 2015. Most homes are around 1,800 square feet, ranging from $600,000 to $700,000. However, you'll find some with 2,500 to 4,500 square feet of living space, selling for $800,000 to $1 million. They're all located just a few feet from each other on small lots where you get more house than yard space. Small fenced-in backyards allow enough room for a patio set, a small garden and an above-ground pool. Meanwhile, you have a small patch of grass in the front with a driveway and two-car garage. While the architecture is all very similar, each home has its own color, making them unique in their own way. Outside the development, you'll find homes in all shapes and sizes on several acres of land, ranging anywhere from $400,000 to $1 million. Many of these homes are situated on hilly yards surrounded by Douglas firs that keep your home hidden from the public eye.

Students attend Gildo Rey Elementary School, rated a B-plus by Niche and ranked as the website's fifth-best standout elementary school in Washington. They'll go on to another Niche standout school, Mt. Baker Middle School, also rated a B-plus. Students who live in Edgeview go on to B-rated Auburn High School. Those living in the rural area go to B-plus-rated Auburn Riverside High School, built by the White River in 1995 due to overcrowding at Auburn High. Both have close to 1,850 students and are ranked among the top 40 diverse high schools in the state, with Auburn coming in at 16th and Riverside at 36th.

Just a few miles upstream from Riverside High is Game Farm Wilderness Park, where you can hike miles of trails by the White River, appropriately named due to its milky blue color caused by glacial meltwater. The paved trails are popular for dog walkers, joggers and those just seeking a peaceful scenic stroll. The park is also home to the wooded, 18-hole White River Disc Golf Course, which is open year-round. Across the river, you can visit Game Farm Park to play pickleball. The park also features turf soccer fields used by local leagues and a playground for kids to have fun off the field. For some indoor fun, place a bet at the 24/7 Muckleshoot Casino or stop by for dinner and a concert to dance the night away. For more entertainment, you can drive eight miles to see nationally touring acts at White River Amphitheater. "They have amazing concerts at the amphitheater," says White, "It's on a two-lane road, so getting home can take a long time, but if you know your back roads, you can get out of there pretty easily."

The closest places to shop and eat are about two miles south in the planned community of Lakeland Hills. That's where you'll find the Lakeland Town Center, a large shopping plaza with a Haggen grocery store. There are also several restaurants, including popular regional chains like Hops n Drops, a gastropub known for its hamburgers and craft beer. You can also rock on at The Rock, famous for its rock-n-roll theme with specialty pizzas like the Buffalo Soldier drizzled in buffalo sauce and Yellow Brick Road topped with pineapples.

It's an eight-mile drive to access Interstate 5, making for a 30-mile trip north to Seattle and a 17-mile drive west to Tacoma. With convenient commutes to either city, you can take a load off back home in Southeast Auburn, whether in your suburban housing development or tucked away in the woods.

Written By

Nicolas Stuart

Photography Contributed By

Perry Cucinotta

Video By

Taylor Gilbert