Moving to Seattle, working in Tukwila....where to live? (Federal Way: apartments, city hall)

[rt8r22]

I'm moving from St. Louis, MO to the Seattle area in about 3-4 weeks and I'm torn on where I should live. I'm a 30yr old male, not married, no kids. I'm going to be working on South 112th in Tukwila. My main concerns are safety and commute time. I'd prefer a commute less than 30 mins each way if possible. Also, I'm looking for a decent size (750sqft) 1 BR apartment for under $1000. I'm not an absolute party-goer, but I would like to have somewhat of a nightlife within a mile or two of where I live.

I've asked a few coworkers that work/live in the Seattle area and they have suggested Burien and East Renton Highlands. I've been looking around in those two areas but wanted to get some opinions from the helpful posters on city-data.

Currently, I'm looking at a 1BR for $975/mo but its located in Renton, just south of the airport on Williams Ave. Is that area of Renton a decent place?

Thanks for your help!

[AlohaHuey]

You should check out places like Auburn and Kent and Federal Way, though apartments in those areas are YMMV.

[Ira500]

Originally Posted by rt8r22

I'm moving from St. Louis, MO to the Seattle area in about 3-4 weeks and I'm torn on where I should live. I'm a 30yr old male, not married, no kids. I'm going to be working on South 112th in Tukwila. My main concerns are safety and commute time. I'd prefer a commute less than 30 mins each way if possible. Also, I'm looking for a decent size (750sqft) 1 BR apartment for under $1000. I'm not an absolute party-goer, but I would like to have somewhat of a nightlife within a mile or two of where I live.

I've asked a few coworkers that work/live in the Seattle area and they have suggested Burien and East Renton Highlands. I've been looking around in those two areas but wanted to get some opinions from the helpful posters on city-data.

Currently, I'm looking at a 1BR for $975/mo but its located in Renton, just south of the airport on Williams Ave. Is that area of Renton a decent place?

Thanks for your help!

If the building on Williams in Renton is the 55 S Williams building, that's an awesome building in a good area.
If you want somewhat of a nightlife within a mile or two, parts of downtown Renton would be great, and the eastern Renton Highlands wouldn't. That's a fine place to raise a family, but you'd mostly be surrounded by families. Safe, yes, but not necessarily what you want.
I'd second the recommendation of Burien, also suggest looking in Kent, and would add Seattle's Columbia City neighborhood as one to consider. There's a lot going on there in terms of dining, shopping, beer, etc

[southking500]

Downtown Renton is ok, you will be close to a lot of shopping: Fred Meyer, Safeway, Walgreens, Walmart, Sams Cub and McClendons Hardware are all on the main drag along with pretty much every fast food chain. A few blocks away is the old downtown where there are smaller businesses, antique stores a lot of ethnic restaurants, bars etc. In Renton Village there is a new Uwajimaya Asian supermarket. There are a couple of casinos, a small airport, bus transit center, Renton city hall, public library, farmers market and a bike trail nearby.
It's not a dangerous area but there is some crime, if you are not walking around late at night you will probably not have a problem.
At $975.00 a 1 bedroom in this area should be very nice and include secure parking. A lot of downtown Renton housing is older and can be rundown looking but in recent years newer buildings have popped up in the attempt to revitalize the area. I imagine at that price you are looking at one of the new buildings.

[Treaseagreen]

Im moving to Tukwilla in 9 days from Wyoming. My apartment (the one i've already paid a down payment on) will be in Tukwila, right off of I-5, and a two bedroom (900 sq Ft) for about $790 a month. I mean, thats a short commute to work for you, as well as a low rent. LaVista Apartments. Manager is Anita Baker. Not the singer.
However, from what I've looked up, Tukwila isn't much of a city, so, not much of a nightlife I'd assume..

[MaikeerinWA]

I agree with Ira's comments on Williams and also the eastern Renton Highlands.

I've been taking the Link Light Rail to and from Seattle lately and from up on the tracks have noticed quite a few apartments down below, within walking distance of the Tukwila station. I wonder if some of those might be worth a look? I don't know anything about them, and there can't be much of a nearby nightlife, but the access to Seattle would be great.

[Inkpoe]

I would point out West Seattle, but with under 1K/mo for a one bedroom might prove more effort to find.

White Center would definitely have something for that amount (there's a 2bdrm, 848 sqft apt for under 1K on Craigslist). White Center is not too far off from where OP would work at, probably under 10 mins or so-- very easy access into West Seattle, DT Seattle, the waterfront and Tukwila.