Moving from London to Sammamish in a Pandemic
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Like so many, travel was just a part of life for Sara Bertelle’s family. With moves from Phoenix and internationally, to Munich and London, they were excited to find the next place to explore – somewhere quieter than the streets of London, but close enough to the city to still enjoy the amenities they love.
In February 2020, with a new job at a tech company in Seattle, Sara’s husband, Lucio Di Jasio, took the family to look for homes in Washington, between the clear waters of the Puget Sound and the snow-capped mountains in the Cascades. They looked along Seattle’s eastside from Bellevue to Kirkland with no hopeful contenders.
Then, a global pandemic brought life as they knew it to a full stop. Sara and her son were still in London, with Lucio doing his best to send pictures of houses while working from Seattle.
“With COVID, we weren’t sure of the market,” Sara said. “We didn’t feel 100 percent comfortable buying a home. Then, we started looking online. I only saw our home on the website before making an offer.”
Sammamish’s Eagle Glen community caught their eye. A quiet neighborhood with a handful of grocery stores. A welcoming school just two minutes away. The allure of living in an urban forest.
Inside the home, windows are plentiful and offer views of tall pine trees. The white finishes stand out against the darker floors. A large kitchen island provides space for everyone to gather around, in addition to a nearby cozy space for relaxing near the fireplace.
While working and schooling from home, Sara feels close to her family but not overcrowded, with an abundance of natural light and space, including separate home offices for Lucio and their son.
“For us, this home is more than enough. Quiet area, lots of trees, even if you just walk on the sidewalk, there’s not much traffic. It makes you feel safe,” Sara said. “We’re very happy with our home. I actually think we got the best one.”
She hopes to invite friends over into their new life when it safe to do so again. For now, the family will be rolling up their sleeves in the garden.
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