Looking to buy 150k near Redmond (Seattle, Tacoma: real estate, apartments, to rent) - Seattle and King County Suburbs - City-Data Forum

Bobby Davro · 03-04-2011, 06:19 AM

My wife is currently in Austin, TX and loves it. Having briefly visited Texas before I know I like the climate (only mad dogs and Englishmen) and found the people welcoming. However my wife has just got a job offer in Redmond doing IT stuff for the obvious culprit. Currently I'm still in London, England while our visa is processing and so she won't be moving until that is complete and I am over there with her, but she is eager to make the move.

The pay is a big hike up and having not done MS stuff before she said it would be a definite feather in her cap in regards to her resume. What I've found however is that while $150k gets us somewhere real nice in Austin, it seems a baseline for anything acceptable near Redmond.

What I wanted to know is are there any areas outside of Redmond that are decent with reasonable prices and without being a huge commute to Redmond?

Really appreciate anyone's help.

Xanathos · 03-04-2011, 06:25 AM

150K? In or near Redmond? I hope you aren't serious. Otherwise I'm about to crush your dreams.

Let me be blunt: If you DOUBLE what you're willing to spend, you might find something you'll like. Maybe.

As to Microsoft and feathers....the easiest way for me to provide an analogy is Dell in Austin. By that I mean, the further away from Austin you get, the more impressive working for Dell looks. In Austin itself? The running joke is everyone in IT in Austin has spent some time in the meat grinder that is Mikey's world, and it's not that far from the truth.

Same deal with Microsoft up here. Having MSFT on your resume will look mighty impressive in Miami or Baltimore. Here in Seattle, it just means you've gone through the grinder. The reason I point this out is to ask why you are looking to buy if the purpose behind joining Microsoft is for career advancement, since the career advancement Microsoft will provide will be in a city located far away from Washington.

Bobby Davro · 03-04-2011, 06:37 AM

She is Austin currently because it was the easiest place to get A job in IT straightaway after coming from London. The intention is to work for MS and move on, but obviously we'll most likely be spending a couple years there.

The reason for buying is that the housing market in the US seems real depressed right now, and also we're kind of done renting and paying someone else's mortgage.

Xanathos · 03-04-2011, 06:52 AM

There are some cities where it oftentimes makes more sense to rent. Seattle is one of those cities, especially if you aren't planning on staying for an extended period of time. I purchased late last year, but I did so knowing that the house would probably further depreciate for the next 12-36 months. If you're only staying for a couple of years, buying is in all probability a losing proposition for you.

All of which is moot, regardless. You aren't going to find anything for anywhere *near* 150K within a reasonable commute of Redmond. Unless you want to live in a closet. If you're willing to spend 200,000, you might be able to come up with one dumpy ass 1 bedroom 8 or 9 hundred square foot apartment generously labeled as a "condo". You could find something for 150 in Tacoma, so long as you don't mind a 2 hour commute each way every day.

Bobby Davro · 03-04-2011, 07:07 AM

Righto...

So what's rent like in/near Redmond?

VeronikaW · 03-04-2011, 07:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bobby Davro

Righto...

So what's rent like in/near Redmond?

What are you looking for? Condo, apartment, house? How big? A nice 3 bedroom single family home in the area will rent for $2,000 and up per month. A two bedroom apartment, maybe $1,500 and up. The cost of living cannot really be compared to Austin at all. It's so much more expensive for housing.

Bobby Davro · 03-04-2011, 07:51 AM

Well there's two of us and I need one room ideally as a home office. So two bed. Not bothered about it being an apartment/condo (I don't understand the difference, sorry) or a house. Just as long as it's a reasonable sized space in a decent neighborhood.

Cheers.

newguy416 · 03-04-2011, 10:21 AM

Coming from TX the home prices can be a shock. I don't think you will be able to find a house in the area of $150k, especially for what you are used to seeing at that price point in TX. It’s not just the housing that is more expensive, many things cost a bit more here.
Yes, the housing market is down across the US, and many think it will still get worse before it gets better, but nobody knows for sure or by how much.
The best advice is to look at housing sites so you have an idea of what you can get for the money up here. Which it appears you are doing. I like the site redfin for this area, but there are others too. If you decide you both want to move, rent first. This gives you the opportunity to get to know the area, and for your wife to experience her new position.

A condo is basically an apartment that you purchase. Apartments, you rent. You can also rent condo's from the owner, similar to renting a house.

What do you consider a huge commute?

southking500 · 03-04-2011, 10:30 AM

There are tons of 2 bedroom condos in the Redmond area on the market for under 150K. Check realtor.com and other real estate websites. I'd recommend looking in the north suburbs like Bothell, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace and Edmonds for the largest selection in your price range and not a long commute to Redmond.

newguy416 · 03-04-2011, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southking500

There are tons of 2 bedroom condos in the Redmond area on the market for under 150K. Check realtor.com and other real estate websites. I'd recommend looking in the north suburbs like Bothell, Lynnwood, Mountlake Terrace and Edmonds for the largest selection in your price range and not a long commute to Redmond.

Four properties pulled up at $150k or lower on realtor.com within 10 miles of Redmond.

Within 15 miles the results increased to 367, but I am not sure how many of those the OP would want to live in.