Where would be the best place for me to live? (Seattle: real estate, apartments)

[new_seattlite]

Hi, I am a 23-year-old college student who just landed a job in Seattle (South Lake Union area) which I'll be starting in June.

I'll be grossing around $120,000 per year so money isn't a huge problem. I currently live in a pretty suburban area (Tucson, AZ, in case you're familiar with it) but I really like "urban" life and would be willing to pay a premium to live somewhere that isn't a super residential suburb. My ideal would be to have restaurants, concerts, bars, etc. within walking distance or close driving distance at worst.

The complicating factor is that I was hoping to live with a friend of mine who is a student and so on a much tighter budget than me. (I could afford to live alone of course, but I'd enjoy living with other people a lot more at this stage in my life; and if I can save money and get a living situation I'd enjoy more, it's the best of both worlds right?) He is paying $600 now and said he could go higher if necessary, but I think the $1000+ range would probably start looking pretty steep for him.

He has a few other friends who might be looking for places to live in Seattle, so we would probably be 3 people total, or perhaps 4. And I don't like the idea of sharing a room, so number of people should equal number of bedrooms!

I will probably have a car so transportation isn't a huge problem but I don't want really long commutes to work either.

Are there any neighborhoods in Seattle that could satisfy everyone in our situation? Or is that a pipe dream and should I just get a place by myself downtown?

Also my friend's current lease isn't up until September so I'd have to rent month-to-month from June until then. I'm assuming such an arrangement is not too difficult to find, but let me know if that assumption is inaccurate.

[Flightoficarus87]

Sounds like Capitol Hill is an area that'd be a good fit for you. Definitely a pretty happening area, with a lot of bars, restaurants, concert venues, coffee shops, etc. within walking distance of many apartments/condos nearby. Definitely has the very urban vibe that you're looking for, being right up the hill from the core of downtown Seattle. Extremely close to South Lake Union as well.

Only real issue, is that it's a pretty prime real estate location, so it isn't exactly the most affordable neighborhood to live in. Not really an issue for you, obviously, but cheaper stuff can be quite scarce when you get into the multiple bedroom properties, in regards to the roommate situation. If you need to be in a neighborhood that's within the core urban area, most of the multi-bedroom stuff is gonna be on the spendy side.

If you're willing to consider nearby neighborhoods that are still within city limits (and can offer much of what you're looking for, perhaps with some compromise), it will probably be a bit easier to find an apartment/townhome, or house that won't completely break the bank for the others in a shared situation.

[Hemlock140]

Actually, month-to-month leases are next to impossible. For a landlord that's a last resort, and the rental market here is hot, so they don't have to consider them with so many people willing to sign a long term lease. Considering the areas that would suit you, two bedrooms is going to be $1,800-2,200.

[new_seattlite]

If I were to live in the U-District, how long would be the commute from there to the SLU neighborhood every day? I'd be working a normal 9-5 job so assume I hit pretty bad traffic.

[Ira500]

Originally Posted by new_seattlite

If I were to live in the U-District, how long would be the commute from there to the SLU neighborhood every day? I'd be working a normal 9-5 job so assume I hit pretty bad traffic.

Quick. 10-15 minutes, 20 at worst. Traffic will be messed up on the freeway. You won't be so affected by it being on surface streets.

[tobester]

Quote:
Originally Posted by new_seattlite
If I were to live in the U-District, how long would be the commute from there to the SLU neighborhood every day? I'd be working a normal 9-5 job so assume I hit pretty bad traffic.


An easy bike ride ...