How's Wedgewood? Alki? Briarcliff? Madrona? Edmonds? Mountlake Terrace?
What about cities like Mt. Vernon, Marysville, Bothell, and Arlington?
Wedgewood is very nice...very neighborhood-ish. It is just east of Ravenna, which is even better. Apartments on 35th, but mostly houses in that area.
Alki is expensive...its right on the water.
Briarcliff is even MORE expensive than Alki.
Madrona is in the nice part of the southend, on the west side of Lake Washington....also expensive.
Edmonds might be a place to consider. its north of Shoreline, so about 20 minutes from downtown.
Mountlake terrace is north of edmonds, and starts to get crappy the further north you go. Once you hit Lynnwood, you have gone too far.
Mount Vernon is an hour north of Seattle...past Everett (do NOT move there).
Marysville is just past Everett, and can be expensive. The boonies is the best way to describe it...
Arlington....just, no.