Talbot

Quick access to Lake Washington and a calm, suburban feel describe the neighborhood of Talbot outside central Renton. As the adage goes, “It’s location, location, location that draws people to Talbot. You’re centrally located in a very nice place,” says Realtor Mark Powers of RE/MAX Integrity.

Talbot’s streets zig-zag, with Talbot Road winding south through the community like an “s.” Driveways are standard for the gridded streets and the cul de sac portions, as are attached and detached garages. Street parking is more difficult to find in the northern half of the neighborhood, but homes at the southern end have reasonable room for friends and family to park their cars when they visit. Mid-to-late twentieth century bungalows, ranches and foursquares feature yards large enough for hosting; some, however, have yards barely suitable for a single tree. Renovated homes fetch just as much as builds from the last two decades, starting at around $480,000 and easily creeping north of $1 million.

Kids in Talbot attend Talbot Hill Elementary, rated C-plus by Niche. Staff offer instruction to families about how much screen time is appropriate and how to navigate social media with kids. Nelson Middle, a B-minus-rated school, boasts a student-teacher ratio of eleven to one. When they reach Lindbergh Senior High School, kids are well prepared for success. The school has a graduation rate of 83%, with 22% of students enrolling in AP courses.

Adjacent to Talbot Hill Elementary is Thomas Teasdale Park, a local favorite for burning off energy after school or work. You can make use of their picnic tables and grills for a lovely weekend spent with friends and family. This park also features a playground where kids can slide and climb and a ball field you can reserve. The evergreen trees provide tons of shade if you’re looking to relax instead. Just a quick hop down Morris Avenue is Victoria Park Children’s Park, a second spot for kids to play if Teasdale is too packed. Even denser evergreens than Teasdale's shade swing sets and slides.

Before an afternoon at the park, you can snag a specialty brew and bagel from Double Wired Espresso on southeast Carr Road. Don’t feel like cooking on a weeknight? Help yourself to as much as you like at the Feast Buffet. Romantic date nights or special events call for a sit-down meal, and Sansonina Ristorante Italiano is a perfect spot. Their atmosphere and customer service are excellent, as is the food.

Residents meet their grocery needs a three-mile drive up Route 515. There is a bus stop on Talbot Road, but driving in this community is essential. For your basics, head to Fred Meyer and grab fresh fruits and vegetables for the week. If you need a more comprehensive selection of meats, tofu and dairy, check out the Uwajimaya Renton. This store also has various teas and frozen foods to choose from. Pick up supplies from the Home Depot or Walmart, both nearby to finish that DIY project you've been procrastinating on. On the off chance you’re in the market for a new car, there are various dealerships in the same shopping center.

Talbot may have all the features of a suburb, but it’s not lacking in weekend adventure opportunities. Top Golf is an excellent choice for those wanting something active but low stakes and indoors. Drive north on Highway 405 about four miles and you’ll reach Lake Washington, the local waterfront offering various boat launch sites. If you’re in the mood to fish for salmon or trout, the pier at Gene Coulon Beach has lots of room to stand and sit. In the event you don’t catch anything, don’t be frustrated; take a walk down the trail around the pier.

Despite all there is to see and experience in Talbot, there’s more to come. “I moved here about ten years ago from Snohomish, and since then, they’ve had all sorts of projects going on in the city, like improving the streets and sidewalks,” says Powers. Ever blossoming, Talbot might be the aquatic suburb you’ve been looking for.

Written By

Malcolm Longerbeam

Photography Contributed By

Noah Lubin

Video By

Zack Kojoyian