Moving to Seattle from Los Angeles (rental car, apartment, rental)

[Yini]

Hi All,

I'm currenly doing research on moving to Seattle (considering either Seattle or Portland). Can you guys help me with the questions below? (I am also posting in the Portland forum, but questions have been modified.)

1. How bad is the traffic in terms of mph? If I end up working in downtown and living on the outskirts of town, is it convenient to take the train or bus into downtown for work?

2. What areas around Seattle can I find studios for around $500-600? I am also considering renting a room in a 2- or 3-bedroom apartment at this price.

3. I'm planning on taking a trip to Seattle and Portland in February. Is it better to stay in downtown with no car or stay outside the city and drive in? I'll be renting a car since I plan on driving down to Portland. I wanted to stay at a hostel downtown to save money, but it'll be difficult to park there. Another option for me would be to travel in Seattle by public transportation, and rent a car when I leave for Portland.

4. In what areas can I find clusters of independent shops, other than downtown? I'm planning on finding a job with one of these places and would like to check them out while I'm in town.

5. Also, does anyone know which travel guide is better: the Rough Guide to Seattle or Frommer's Seattle?

Thanks much.

[soothsayer1234]

With all those questions, I think you need to find a full-time guidance counselor. LOL! I also think you should make some of those decisions yourself by going out there. And don't use the travel guides as a bible. Thats corporate pablum. Go out and talk to the locals, see things for yourself, and make your own decisions. Trash the frommers books, get a local alternative weekly, and live in a local neighborhood. Trust yourself that you'll make the right decisions, or else you will be forever frozen in place...

[thatguy950]

Originally Posted by Yini

Hi All,

I'm currenly doing research on moving to Seattle (considering either Seattle or Portland). Can you guys help me with the questions below? (I am also posting in the Portland forum, but questions have been modified.)

1. How bad is the traffic in terms of mph? If I end up working in downtown and living on the outskirts of town, is it convenient to take the train or bus into downtown for work?

2. What areas around Seattle can I find studios for around $500-600? I am also considering renting a room in a 2- or 3-bedroom apartment at this price.

3. I'm planning on taking a trip to Seattle and Portland in February. Is it better to stay in downtown with no car or stay outside the city and drive in? I'll be renting a car since I plan on driving down to Portland. I wanted to stay at a hostel downtown to save money, but it'll be difficult to park there. Another option for me would be to travel in Seattle by public transportation, and rent a car when I leave for Portland.

4. In what areas can I find clusters of independent shops, other than downtown? I'm planning on finding a job with one of these places and would like to check them out while I'm in town.

5. Also, does anyone know which travel guide is better: the Rough Guide to Seattle or Frommer's Seattle?

Thanks much.

Traffic is HORRIBLE here. I'm originally from So Cal and I must say this area has the WORST drivers in the country (I've driven in almost every major city so I know). Seattle drivers have no clue about left lane=fast and right=slow, it's unusual not to see a rolling road block of people doing 50 or less in all 3-4 lanes with nothing but open highway in front of them. Not much of a train system around here, the public trans is terrible, but the bus is ok I guess so that's what I would do if you will be near a park and ride. Being from LA the drivers up here will drive you insane... Just a warning.

[Yini]

Originally Posted by soothsayer1234

With all those questions, I think you need to find a full-time guidance counselor. LOL! I also think you should make some of those decisions yourself by going out there. And don't use the travel guides as a bible. Thats corporate pablum. Go out and talk to the locals, see things for yourself, and make your own decisions. Trash the frommers books, get a local alternative weekly, and live in a local neighborhood. Trust yourself that you'll make the right decisions, or else you will be forever frozen in place...

Of course I'll be talking to the locals -- once I get there. I am using the travel guide for the visit in February, not to move.

[la_fuerza]

Yini,

There are clusters of independent shops in several areas. Be sure to check out Capitol Hill, the University District, Fremont, Ballard, and Wallingford. As far as travel guides, Lonely Planet is a good bet. If you're going to stay in a hostel try the Green Tortoise near the Pike Place Market. The bus system in Seattle is very good. You should take the bus and explore the city that way. It's much more interesting to experience Seattle that way than through the windshield of a rental car. The traffic here is bad, but not as bad as LA. It's stop and go, but nothing too terrible. Have a great stay and welcome!

[AuntieEmma]

Originally Posted by Yini

Hi All,

I'm currenly doing research on moving to Seattle (considering either Seattle or Portland). Can you guys help me with the questions below? (I am also posting in the Portland forum, but questions have been modified.)

1. How bad is the traffic in terms of mph? If I end up working in downtown and living on the outskirts of town, is it convenient to take the train or bus into downtown for work?

2. What areas around Seattle can I find studios for around $500-600? I am also considering renting a room in a 2- or 3-bedroom apartment at this price.

3. I'm planning on taking a trip to Seattle and Portland in February. Is it better to stay in downtown with no car or stay outside the city and drive in? I'll be renting a car since I plan on driving down to Portland. I wanted to stay at a hostel downtown to save money, but it'll be difficult to park there. Another option for me would be to travel in Seattle by public transportation, and rent a car when I leave for Portland.

4. In what areas can I find clusters of independent shops, other than downtown? I'm planning on finding a job with one of these places and would like to check them out while I'm in town.

5. Also, does anyone know which travel guide is better: the Rough Guide to Seattle or Frommer's Seattle?

Thanks much.

ANSWER TO #3:
Have you considered taking Amtrak between Seattle and Portland?
I typically do not rent a car when staying in downtown Portland but I do when in Seattle.

[Yini]

la_fuerza:
Thanks for the suggestions! I actually will be staying at the Green Tortoise.

AuntieEmma:
Actually, I was wavering about taking the car or train since I'll be partially job searching when staying in Portland, but now I think I will take the train since public transit is convenient in Portland.