Reloc to Seattle from Dallas - found job near Beacon Hill (Sammamish: apartment complex, to rent) - Washington (WA) -Seattle and King County Suburbs - City-Data Forum

SingleNSeattle · 10-28-2011, 02:42 PM

What an AMAZING journey this has been. I am in the process of landing a job near Beacon Hill and I will be visiting next week to finalize paperwork and find an apartment. According to the maps I've been studying, it appears this area is in the southern portion of Seattle (not where I want to live) and I REALLY want to stay in Central Seattle.

I'm a 26-yr old gay black professional looking for an area that is SAFE, has lots and LOTS of nightlife, but also quiet. I was thinking Capitol Hill or Lower Queen Ann. My budget is $1100 MAX preferably a 1br. I'll have a modest salary within the mid $40k's but I'll compromise space in order to get as close "luxury" as possible.

I also have a car but I REALLY don't want to bring it but it appears as though I will have to. The job requires that I attend meetings downtown or other parts of the city.

I am EXTREMELY excited about the move and I should be arriving no later than Nov. 10. I would appreciate all the help I can get!

Thanks

Ira500 · 10-28-2011, 03:03 PM

North Beacon Hill is pretty nice and right on the light rail line, and a very quick trip into downtown. It's south of downtown, but it's not far south at all, and getting increasingly hip all the time.
Outside of that, Capitol Hill is pretty convenient to everything. First Hill is close to downtown too. There are also a number of newer, more luxury buildings downtown, but I don't have a clue what they rent for.

Inkpoe · 10-28-2011, 03:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SingleNSeattle

I'm a 26-yr old gay black professional looking for an area that is SAFE, has lots and LOTS of nightlife, but also quiet. I was thinking Capitol Hill or Lower Queen Ann. My budget is $1100 MAX preferably a 1br. I'll have a modest salary within the mid $40k's but I'll compromise space in order to get as close "luxury" as possible.

I also have a car but I REALLY don't want to bring it but it appears as though I will have to. The job requires that I attend meetings downtown or other parts of the city.

Well, CH and LQA are pretty limited in parking, so definitely look for a place with parking space. Most likely with LQA (and most of DT area), they will charge you in addition to rent for this parking space. With CH, lots of people park on the street that you can expect to fork some time looking for a space My friend knew someone that spent almost an hour and a half looking a space). Certain parts of CH require a tag that indicates you're part of that neighborhood and can park there-- so that might be an additional cost. I know you mention that Beacon Hill's not where you want to live, but parking wouldn't be a concern.

Also look into West Seattle as well.

SitoUK · 10-28-2011, 03:43 PM

Actually parking can be quite expensive in many of the denser parts of Seattle. You usually have to pay extra to get a space at an apartment complex and in Capitol Hill for example street parking is so scarce that you definitely would want a reserved space.

I'd say if you have to attend meetings downtown, check out where exactly these meetings would be. You can usually easily get to downtown from anywhere in public transport. You might not need a car but you should probably do some more research. (in case you don't know the route planner in google maps incorporates public transport, really useful).

SingleNSeattle · 10-28-2011, 04:32 PM

Yea parking is definitely limited in CH according to my research. I may look into Beacon Hill for a place as well but I really want to be centrally located.

Ira500 · 10-28-2011, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SingleNSeattle

Yea parking is definitely limited in CH according to my research. I may look into Beacon Hill for a place as well but I really want to be centrally located.

OK- What do you mean by centrally located? North Beacon Hill is a twelve minute train ride into the heart of downtown Seattle. Many of the buses from Capitol Hill or Queen Anne take longer than that...It's also just a few minutes to get on I-5 or I-90.
Or by centrally located do you mean downtown itself?

SingleNSeattle · 10-28-2011, 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ira500

OK- What do you mean by centrally located? North Beacon Hill is a twelve minute train ride into the heart of downtown Seattle. Many of the buses from Capitol Hill or Queen Anne take longer than that...It's also just a few minutes to get on I-5 or I-90.
Or by centrally located do you mean downtown itself?

Yes. I meant downtown.

Hemlock140 · 10-28-2011, 08:04 PM

You won't need a car, there is bus and light rail service that will get you anywhere you want within the city. I take the bus from Sammamish and walk a mile from Westlake to the office and I'm twice your age.

I am familiar with the luxury downtown apartments, they will run $2,600 and up for a studio. About $800 will get you a plain studio that's not scary but will have a few hookers and drug dealers living there. I would expect that prices are going up downtown with the viaduct removal enhancing views and reducing traffic noise. Capital Hill and first Hill are more affordable.