OP, there is a pretty nice house in Mt. Rainier that is on the market for $215K. I think its a short sale. I looked at it a couple years ago. Not a lot of closet space, but very charming. This house is across the street and a few doors down from Glut Co-op. Short walk to Joe's Movement Emporium and Mt. Rainier Elementary.
http://www.johnwilliamsjr.com/Listing.aspx?oid=23427&ot=213
Mt R Elem has a peace theme, where they focus on teaching the kids about non-violent conflict resolution. The school is very much loved by all the families I know who send their kids there.
The parents with young kids in Mt. Rainier and Brentwood have a yahoo group for planning play groups and sharing info about kid related stuff. Its a good group!