Best places for frugal retirees to live within 45 from downtown Seattle? (Everett: apartment, rentals)

[Townandcountrygal]

We are retirees who lived in the Seattle area years ago and would like to move back understanding that neighborhoods can change. Looking for suggested areas within 30-45 min. driving distance from downtown Seattle. Want an area with affordable (okay, at least somewhat so) rentals that is pretty safe and quiet. Suggestions?

[Hemlock140]

The farther out you get from jobs the lower the rentals. If you can consider an older apartment, house, or manufactured home there are some mixed in with more expensive home in places like Carnation, Duvall, Monroe, Snohomish. It will be more like 45 minutes to an hour, though. If you look hard enough Lynnwood, Mill Creek, and Bothell may have a few and are closer
to Seattle. What does affordable mean to you? I know someone renting an old farmhouse in Monroe on acreage for $1,200,
which would be more like $2,400 in Woodinville, in Sammamish, $2,800.

[Densi52]

Everett might be a good possibility as well as the above suggestions.

[cocaseco]

North Bend....easy drive on I90, beautiful, less expensive, small city but big enough to meet most daily needs.

[Ira500]

Given that you are a retiree, the quality of the public schools doesn't matter, so you just want a place that's safe, pleasant, affordable,and not too far from downtown Seattle?
How about Burien? SW 152nd, the main drag, has changed a lot, and become fun and pleasant. There are newer apartment buildings nearby.