When searching for homes in the Seattle area, do your homework.  Even if you've lived in the area all your life, you should research your options before making a decision.  Some communities are being revitalized and are worth revisiting.   

Kent and Renton, two communities that once had negative stigmas attached to their names, are working hard to upgrade their images.  Both Kent and Renton are enjoying major upgrades to their downtown areas, and new construction is increasing the value of nearby neighborhoods.  Communities like Bothell, Mill Creek and Woodinville, once thought to be too far away, are enjoying great appreciation and new construction as build able land becomes more scarce further in. 

Other perennial favorites continue to hold their value; Bellevue, Kirkland, Magnolia, Queen Anne and many other neighborhoods with an easy commute to downtown Seattle continue to increase in value. 

Beware of paying too much for housing with commute times of over one hour to downtown Seattle.  You may get more house for your money in Roy to the South, Mount Vernon to the North, and North Bend to the East, but you may not get the appreciation of communities that are more accessible.   

Other factors to consider are school districts, sewer and water (many outlying communities use well water and septic), proximity to shopping and medical services, availability of high speed internet and cable TV,  response time from police and fire services and whether these are city or county services, flood plains, crime statistics including neighborhood sex offenders and more.  A good real estate agent should help you with many of these considerations.