Familiar with Seattle? Can you help?

[firecat]

A friend of mine and her husband are moving to Seattle very soon, and she wrote me with the following questions:

What are likely neighborhoods to rent a house that feel city-like and that are a reasonable commute to Redmond, where her husband will be working? (My friend doesn't drive, so someplace that's within a few blocks of a shopping/eating area would be best.)

A comfy hotel in the $125/night range, preferably within walking distance of a sushi bar.

Info about the East Side: She writes: "I'm wondering if any of the towns over there would be agreeable. (Bellevue, Kirkland, etc.) I don't want to be out in the boonies, since I can't drive to get anywhere, and I'm hoping to avoid suburbs."

Comments

[elynne.livejournal.com]

I'm not familiar enough with the East Side to be useful, but looking for places near Redmond, they should have plenty of options. And, um, yeah. I'd be more coherent, but my ears hurt.