Job transfer from Washington DC to Washington state (Seattle) (Vancouver: apartments, to rent)

[Washington2Washington]

I am moving to Seattle at the end of June for a 12 month project. My work will actually occur in Bremerton, but I am going to live in Seattle and take the ferry over to Bremerton. I recently went to Seattle for the weekend to get an idea of what life may be like over there. For the 72 hours that I was there, I seemed to enjoy it and could see myself happy there.

I need advice on where to live. I am a 33 year old single woman and moving from the east coast to the west coast is a very drastic change for me. I don't want to live in an area where all the fresh-faced college graduates hang out and believe getting drunk is a good time, yet I don't want to live in an area with mostly families. Where do all the young, single professionals live? I'm thinking the age range between late 20s to mid 30s. Also, where are the "safe" neighborhoods? I don't know anyone in Seattle (aside from my new coworkers) and I'm flying a bit "blind" in terms of where to live and where the social crowd goes to hang out for those of us who are "stuck in the middle" between college days and family days.

Ideally, I would like to live in the city so that I can just walk to the ferry or take a no-transfer bus ride to the ferry docks. My prefered price range for a 1-bedroom condo is between 900 to 1200 per month. Should I bring my car too?

[Hemlock140]

For a year you can manage without a car. Ballard, Wallingford and Greenlake
are probably the best areas for you, but a little far from the ferry. Lower Queen Anne and Belltown are within a walk, bike or short bus ride. Queen Anne is more expensive and older, Belltown a little younger, and less safe at bar closing time.

There are really nice condos/apartments on the waterfront within a half mile of the ferry but not in your price range.

[sean98125]

The Bremerton ferry takes about an hour each way. The further you live from the terminal the more time you'll spend on your commute, especially if you are getting there by bus. Bus service isn't quite as good on the Kitsap side, so you'll have that part of your commute to deal with as well.

Are you sure you don't want to just live in Bremerton for the short year that you are here? You'd still be a ferry ride away from all that Seattle has to offer, but you'll actually have time to enjoy the area instead of spending 4 hours a day getting to and from work. There are lots of nice places to live on the west side of the Sound.

[sekhmet1974]

I'm in my 30s and just moved from Seattle to NYC with my husband last fall. I had lived there for 12 years after moving from northern VA (Alexandria)....so I have experienced what you are about to embark on.

We lived in Fremont for the last 7 years and loved it (we don't have kids). Great access to public transportation; you can get to the waterfront door to door in about 20 minutes (26, 28 or 17; 5 gets you downtown as well but not as close.

I personally would NOT want to live in Belltown just based on what it has evolved to but that's just me. Lower Queen Anne could be great, too. Maybe get a bike for the nicer weather days? Capital Hill can be really great, too; just not ON or right off of one of the main roads. I had lots of single friends my age who lived up there and loved it.

I personally would not want to live on the Bremerton side and I think you are smart to be looking for an area you would like in Seattle. You can always read, get ready for work, eat, etc on the ferry. They even have hair dryers in the women's restrooms. Living on that side would leave you with limited options when you might want to stay out at night in Seattle....I speak from the experience of knowing people that lived over there and it being an issue for them.

Good luck...I do think you will like it, we certainly did, although we are very happy in nyc now. Definitely very different areas and energy (east/west coast).

[yerbolat]

Harbor Steps apts have large studios for 1200 or less

[soarswitheagles]

I'm a little late to this thread so you're almost in Seattle now probably.

I would reconsider bringing your car or at least plan to rent one on a regular basis to explore the area. Seattle is nice but it's a big city. The areas that you can get to from Seattle are amazing. A few that come to mind, driving the Oregon Coast to California; amazing and, of course, you don't have to drive all the way to California. Mt. Saint Helens, Mt Ranier, Mt Hood, Olympic Penn, San Juan Islands, Hood River Scenic Drive, Vancouver, Vancouver Island, just too name a few, as there are too many to list all.

If it was me, I would probably not want a multi hour commute everyday but you seem quite firm on that. Start taking vitamin D3 now, most health professionals recommend 5,000IU every day even in the summer.

Good Luck!

[Inkpoe]

Originally Posted by soarswitheagles

I'm a little late to this thread so you're almost in Seattle now probably.

I would reconsider bringing your car or at least plan to rent one on a regular basis to explore the area. Seattle is nice but it's a big city. The areas that you can get to from Seattle are amazing. A few that come to mind, driving the Oregon Coast to California; amazing and, of course, you don't have to drive all the way to California. Mt. Saint Helens, Mt Ranier, Mt Hood, Olympic Penn, San Juan Islands, Hood River Scenic Drive, Vancouver, Vancouver Island, just too name a few, as there are too many to list all.

Good Luck!

OP could always use Zipcar for exploration. Having a car while living in DT Seattle is simply an additional and maybe unnecessary burden.

[yerbolat]

Yep, parking in downtown is ~$200/month
I once could not start my car because it was sitting idle for too long and battery died.