Looking to rent an ATTIC space(or basement, unused garage,etc)Any ideas? (Maple Valley: apartments, renters)

[rainman42]

Ill be coming to seattle at end of summer.. I have very little money, I DO have a small business, but it takes time to set up once I arrive in the city.. I don't mind minimal living conditions, so I'm looking for attic space, basements, or unused garages to rent for a place to sleep...preferably NEAR the center of town! Crackheads and meth heads don't bother me.. I just need CHEAP and private! Does anyone have any ideas on how I can find people willing to rent out their extra spaces they don't use? I currently live in a walk in closet in vegas, and only pay 200$ a month rent.. I just need ideas...

[rainman42]

Any ideas or info from locals would be helpful...

[Inkpoe]

I honestly can't imagine anyone renting a walk-in closet.

You could look on Craigslist and see what they have in rooms/share section. Since you're asking to live as close to the center of town, look to shelling out at least $450/mo.

[rainman42]

well, since I don't HAVE 450$ a month that won't work obviously.. the walk in closet I'm currently in has a small single bed, with only 2 feet of leg room next to it, and a small shelf I built myself at the end of the room for my xbox, tv, and laptop.. But that's it.. I live simply.. I cannot imagine a city that has no cheap spaces for poor people to rent.. They have to sleep somewhere right?

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by rainman42

well, since I don't HAVE 450$ a month that won't work obviously.. the walk in closet I'm currently in has a small single bed, with only 2 feet of leg room next to it, and a small shelf I built myself at the end of the room for my xbox, tv, and laptop.. But that's it.. I live simply.. I cannot imagine a city that has no cheap spaces for poor people to rent.. They have to sleep somewhere right?

They live under the freeway, in the bushes.

You may find something like that but it won't be easy. Post a wanted ad on Craigslist, and expect some
nuts to respond, but you may get lucky. I have never seen any kind of roommate situation for less than $400/month in this area.

[rainman42]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

They live under the freeway, in the bushes.

You may find something like that but it won't be easy. Post a wanted ad on Craigslist, and expect some
nuts to respond, but you may get lucky. I have never seen any kind of roommate situation for less than $400/month in this area.

I didn't say "roommate" situation, just a homeowner with an extra attic or other space that's not being used.. That's not the same as having a "roommate"... Surely there's homeowners there willing to help out?

[IowaHawkeye]

It's not a roommate situation.. it's much worse and much scarier than that.

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by IowaHawkeye

It's not a roommate situation.. it's much worse and much scarier than that.

Yeh, I think you'd be better off waiting until you get here and meet people before expecting a stranger to rent you a closet in their home. Ypu also specified near the center of town, but there are not many homes there, mostly condos, hotels and apartments where every inch of space is needed for storage.

[Gabbythecat]

Originally Posted by IowaHawkeye

It's not a roommate situation.. it's much worse and much scarier than that.

So true. What you are asking sounds very scary, very risky.

When we lived in Maple Valley, we had a garage attic that we *could* have rented out, and for probably not much money. It was just space that we had no use for. But we would have screened any potential renters completely - credit check, lots of personal/professional references - that's too much effort and time involved for only $200 a month.

If you are so limited financially, you might want to find a friend/relative who would be willing to take you in as a favor. Or find a place where the room is part of another deal - maybe you do work for them in addition to paying rent. You know - provide yard work, do house chores, etc.

On a side note - what do you do about a bathroom? Expect to share it with the people you are renting from? Bathroom space - especially in the city - is usually far too limited to share with someone who is only paying $200 a month.

Frankly, I think you have unrealistic expectations. Perhaps you need to get a job that would pay rent until this "business" of yours starts making money.

[rainman42]

Originally Posted by Gabbythecat

So true. What you are asking sounds very scary, very risky.

When we lived in Maple Valley, we had a garage attic that we *could* have rented out, and for probably not much money. It was just space that we had no use for. But we would have screened any potential renters completely - credit check, lots of personal/professional references - that's too much effort and time involved for only $200 a month.

If you are so limited financially, you might want to find a friend/relative who would be willing to take you in as a favor. Or find a place where the room is part of another deal - maybe you do work for them in addition to paying rent. You know - provide yard work, do house chores, etc.

On a side note - what do you do about a bathroom? Expect to share it with the people you are renting from? Bathroom space - especially in the city - is usually far too limited to share with someone who is only paying $200 a month.

Frankly, I think you have unrealistic expectations. Perhaps you need to get a job that would pay rent until this "business" of yours starts making money.

Really? 250 is a LOT of money for me.. And I can usually make that by donating plasma alone.. Perhaps its the area? From what you people are saying, its so expensive it might as well be san Francisco or New York.. perhaps seattle is reserved for the wealthy then.. And by the way I have NO family(last one left) or friends to help me out.. On another point, most truly poor people don't have credit to check.. That's why people like me can't rent apartments and such.. I guess I see more of an "elitist" attitude on this board, and I need more laid back open minded people to help me out.. Is this really the standard way of thinking in seattle? ONLY professionals, credit checks, etc? No wonder theres so many homeless people around! No one qualifies to rent a space to live unless they're a so-called "professional"!