Affordable Living in Seattle Area?

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  • RKCNDY
    RKCNDY Posts: 31,013
    Jason P said:

    RKCNDY said:

    Jason P said:

    West Seattle. It is close to downtown and Renton.

    ...and a tad pricey.
    It has been a while since I lived there, but I didn't have to buy a shotgun and bars for my doors and windows, which was a plus.
    OP is asking about Tacoma...I'm being honest. There are nice places in T-town, but there are also not so nice places. He could look in Burien, it's close to Renton, and still a little more affordable.
    The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.

    - Christopher McCandless
  • manitouman
    manitouman In My Head Posts: 1,088
    You all are awesome! Had my 2nd interview and I guess next step is a decision. A little nervous but exciting at the same time.

    If I throw out addresses of rentals being considered would you be able to tell if it's in a shady area?

    The waiting for a decision is killing me!

    Wife already submitted an address change :)
    Soldier Field, Chicago, IL 7-11-1995; United Center, Chicago, IL 6-29-1998; MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV 10-22-2000 ~PJ10~; Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 4-1-2003; Cricket Pavilion, Phoenix, AZ 6-7-2003; United Center, Chicago, IL 6-18-2003; Alpine Valley, East Troy, WI 6-21-2003; Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO 10-5-2004; The Gorge, George, WA 9-1-2005; United Center, Chicago, IL 5-16-2006; United Center, Chicago, IL 5-17-2006; Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 7-2-2006; Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 7-3-2006; United Center, Chicago, IL 8-23-2009; United Center, Chicago, IL 8-24-2009; Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC 12-4-2013; Key Arena, Seattle, WA 12-6-2013; iWireless Arena, Moline, IL 10-17-2014 ~No Code Show~; Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN 10-19-2014; Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI 10-20-2014 ~Yield Show~; Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 10-22-2014 ~PJ24~: Wrigley Field 1 & 2, 2016; Safeco Field, Seattle Home Shows 1 & 2; Wrigley Field, Chicago Away Shows 1 & 2....
  • RKCNDY
    RKCNDY Posts: 31,013
    I don't live in the south end...but I could possibly tell you if the area is nice or not.
    The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.

    - Christopher McCandless
  • manitouman
    manitouman In My Head Posts: 1,088
    Well.....looks like we're moving on up, to the west coast. Finally received an offer for the position I applied for and it's too good to pass up. Looking like late January or early February.

    I will have questions that hopefully y'all can help me with.

    Excited but have to admit....a little anxious as well.
    Soldier Field, Chicago, IL 7-11-1995; United Center, Chicago, IL 6-29-1998; MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV 10-22-2000 ~PJ10~; Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 4-1-2003; Cricket Pavilion, Phoenix, AZ 6-7-2003; United Center, Chicago, IL 6-18-2003; Alpine Valley, East Troy, WI 6-21-2003; Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO 10-5-2004; The Gorge, George, WA 9-1-2005; United Center, Chicago, IL 5-16-2006; United Center, Chicago, IL 5-17-2006; Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 7-2-2006; Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 7-3-2006; United Center, Chicago, IL 8-23-2009; United Center, Chicago, IL 8-24-2009; Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC 12-4-2013; Key Arena, Seattle, WA 12-6-2013; iWireless Arena, Moline, IL 10-17-2014 ~No Code Show~; Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN 10-19-2014; Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI 10-20-2014 ~Yield Show~; Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 10-22-2014 ~PJ24~: Wrigley Field 1 & 2, 2016; Safeco Field, Seattle Home Shows 1 & 2; Wrigley Field, Chicago Away Shows 1 & 2....
  • polaris_x
    polaris_x Posts: 13,559
    congrats on your new job!

    just wondering if seattle is a bikable city?
  • Jason P
    Jason P Posts: 19,436
    polaris_x said:

    congrats on your new job!

    just wondering if seattle is a bikable city?

    Downtown is built on a steep hill. I can't recall a ton of bikers when I lived there. Downtown has free bus fare.
    Be Excellent To Each Other
    Party On, Dudes!
  • mfc2006
    mfc2006 HTOWN Posts: 37,491
    We were prepared for a housing hike when we moved to the West Coast a little over 4 years ago(we live in Portland), but damn it's a lot more than we prepared for!

    Congrats on the job, man!
    I LOVE MUSIC.
    www.cluthelee.com
    www.cluthe.com
  • whispering hands
    whispering hands Under your skin Posts: 13,527
    Congrats on the job!!
  • RKCNDY
    RKCNDY Posts: 31,013
    Jason P said:

    polaris_x said:

    congrats on your new job!

    just wondering if seattle is a bikable city?

    Downtown is built on a steep hill. I can't recall a ton of bikers when I lived there. Downtown has free bus fare.
    It's hilly everywhere. Seattle is the second hilliest city in the nation. San Fran takes number one.

    There are cyclists everywhere-vicious creatures they are. They will bypass traffic on the street and ride on the sidewalk whizzing by pedestrians and they also run red lights, so if you are driving, be aware. There are protected bike lanes in Capitol Hill and some in SoDo (South of Downtown-by the stadiums). You will know where they are since the lane is painted green.
    The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.

    - Christopher McCandless
  • manitouman
    manitouman In My Head Posts: 1,088
    edited January 2017
    So I'll be in the area Jan 8th through 11th. The 9th and 10th I have to spend a couple hours in the morning to meet with staff and see where I'm going to be working from. If all goes well, January 27th I begin what will probably be a 3 day drive with a start date of February 1st.

    Going to look at some rental properties in Renton, Kent and Covington. Any feedback on any one of those 3 cities? If it helps, I'll be working in Renton. I can provide exact addresses via PM if someone is willing to give in depth feedback about that area.

    Thanks!
    Soldier Field, Chicago, IL 7-11-1995; United Center, Chicago, IL 6-29-1998; MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV 10-22-2000 ~PJ10~; Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 4-1-2003; Cricket Pavilion, Phoenix, AZ 6-7-2003; United Center, Chicago, IL 6-18-2003; Alpine Valley, East Troy, WI 6-21-2003; Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO 10-5-2004; The Gorge, George, WA 9-1-2005; United Center, Chicago, IL 5-16-2006; United Center, Chicago, IL 5-17-2006; Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 7-2-2006; Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 7-3-2006; United Center, Chicago, IL 8-23-2009; United Center, Chicago, IL 8-24-2009; Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC 12-4-2013; Key Arena, Seattle, WA 12-6-2013; iWireless Arena, Moline, IL 10-17-2014 ~No Code Show~; Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN 10-19-2014; Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI 10-20-2014 ~Yield Show~; Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 10-22-2014 ~PJ24~: Wrigley Field 1 & 2, 2016; Safeco Field, Seattle Home Shows 1 & 2; Wrigley Field, Chicago Away Shows 1 & 2....
  • jeffbr
    jeffbr Seattle Posts: 7,177
    manitouman said:

    So I'll be in the area Jan 8th through 11th. The 9th and 10th I have to spend a couple hours in the morning to meet with staff and see where I'm going to be working from. If all goes well, January 27th I begin what will probably be a 3 day drive with a start date of February 1st.

    Going to look at some rental properties in Renton, Kent and Covington. Any feedback on any one of those 3 cities? If it helps, I'll be working in Renton. I can provide exact addresses via PM if someone is willing to give in depth feedback about that area.

    Thanks!

    I think you'll find prices for rentals will vary, and will be highest to lowest in the order of places you listed above. But there are definitely better and worse areas of Renton and Kent. Covington is smaller, farther out, and will be less expensive, but also offer fewer options. Covington is quieter and more rural if that is what you are looking for. With Renton, there are a number of newer places around a newer shopping/eating area called the Renton Landing. There are older decent places up in the Renton Highlands. Avoid downtown Renton near the transit center, near Rainier Ave, and avoid the west part of Renton heading up to Skyway. With Kent, there is newer construction around a newer shopping/eating area called Kent Station. It is also near Showare center (hockey, smaller concerts, other events), and Kent Commons. If you have specific addresses of places in Renton you're looking at, I'm happy to pass them by my wife, who grew up in Renton.
    "I'll use the magic word - let's just shut the fuck up, please." EV, 04/13/08
  • RKCNDY
    RKCNDY Posts: 31,013
    I would live in Renton before I live in Kent. Renton Highlands are the nicer area. Stay away from the Skyway area...stay far far away.
    The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.

    - Christopher McCandless
  • manitouman
    manitouman In My Head Posts: 1,088
    Skyway that bad huh? I looked at a place where the 2008 Google photos looked like a dump and then it transformed into a nice area. Lot's of apartments in the area and Rainier was just a block over.

    I have 2 in Renton, 1 Covington and 1 in Kent that I'm looking at. Renting a home so that it's easier for my wife with the dogs. Is Covington too far from Renton? I was figuring that since it's southeast that it shouldn't be too bad with traffic. I thought anything down the I-5 pipeline would be packed with traffic.
    Soldier Field, Chicago, IL 7-11-1995; United Center, Chicago, IL 6-29-1998; MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV 10-22-2000 ~PJ10~; Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 4-1-2003; Cricket Pavilion, Phoenix, AZ 6-7-2003; United Center, Chicago, IL 6-18-2003; Alpine Valley, East Troy, WI 6-21-2003; Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO 10-5-2004; The Gorge, George, WA 9-1-2005; United Center, Chicago, IL 5-16-2006; United Center, Chicago, IL 5-17-2006; Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 7-2-2006; Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 7-3-2006; United Center, Chicago, IL 8-23-2009; United Center, Chicago, IL 8-24-2009; Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC 12-4-2013; Key Arena, Seattle, WA 12-6-2013; iWireless Arena, Moline, IL 10-17-2014 ~No Code Show~; Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN 10-19-2014; Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI 10-20-2014 ~Yield Show~; Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 10-22-2014 ~PJ24~: Wrigley Field 1 & 2, 2016; Safeco Field, Seattle Home Shows 1 & 2; Wrigley Field, Chicago Away Shows 1 & 2....
  • jeffbr
    jeffbr Seattle Posts: 7,177
    Convington to Renton in the morning should take about 1/2 hour give or take depending on where in Covington and where in Renton and what time you're commuting. A 1/2 hour commute isn't bad around here. I commute 50 minutes into work and about an hour home every day, so it doesn't seem too far out to me. My daughter lives in Maple Valley (right near Covington) and works in Issaquah (just north of Renton) and it works for her.

    And yeah, Skyway sucks. Dirty, ugly, run down and crime ridden.
    "I'll use the magic word - let's just shut the fuck up, please." EV, 04/13/08
  • manitouman
    manitouman In My Head Posts: 1,088
    edited January 2017
    Excellent info! How's Des Moines?

    Best cellular service? Coming up on plan renewal and want what works best for that area.
    Post edited by manitouman on
    Soldier Field, Chicago, IL 7-11-1995; United Center, Chicago, IL 6-29-1998; MGM Grand, Las Vegas, NV 10-22-2000 ~PJ10~; Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 4-1-2003; Cricket Pavilion, Phoenix, AZ 6-7-2003; United Center, Chicago, IL 6-18-2003; Alpine Valley, East Troy, WI 6-21-2003; Fox Theatre, St. Louis, MO 10-5-2004; The Gorge, George, WA 9-1-2005; United Center, Chicago, IL 5-16-2006; United Center, Chicago, IL 5-17-2006; Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 7-2-2006; Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 7-3-2006; United Center, Chicago, IL 8-23-2009; United Center, Chicago, IL 8-24-2009; Rogers Arena, Vancouver, BC 12-4-2013; Key Arena, Seattle, WA 12-6-2013; iWireless Arena, Moline, IL 10-17-2014 ~No Code Show~; Xcel Energy Center, St. Paul, MN 10-19-2014; Bradley Center, Milwaukee, WI 10-20-2014 ~Yield Show~; Pepsi Center, Denver, CO 10-22-2014 ~PJ24~: Wrigley Field 1 & 2, 2016; Safeco Field, Seattle Home Shows 1 & 2; Wrigley Field, Chicago Away Shows 1 & 2....
  • RKCNDY
    RKCNDY Posts: 31,013
    Verizon and AT&T have great service here. if you like to go out into the woods and go hiking or take road trips to the small towns in the boonies, do NOT get T-Mobile. T-Mobile has towers only in the bigger cities and towns, so your service would suck if you go to say La Push, or Winthrop.

    I haven't really spent time in Des Moines, it's a small town...really small.
    The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.

    - Christopher McCandless

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