Working in Fremont, living in.... (Seattle: apartment, home, neighborhoods)

[mwmover]

First off, thanks to all who post such great information on these threads. I've learned a lot already!

My wife and I are moving to Seattle from the Midwest. My job is in the Fremont area. She works from a home office. No kids. Unfortunately, there will be no time for a personal visit for apartment hunting, so we'll have to do it virtually.

My employer provides parking, so I could drive. But I'm not averse to bus/train. The main thing is we need 2 bedrooms (one for her office) while trying to keep it under $2K/month.

Really appreciate the input. Thanks!

[Ira500]

If I were working in Fremont, I'd live in...Fremont. It's a nice enough neighborhood, with plenty of places to shop or dine at. Walking to work has many advantages. You can easily find an apartment there for 2k. Or Ballard nearby would also be good, with even more dining and shopping options.

[seattlerain]

Wallingford is not far from Fremont and has a decent selection of places to shop and dine.

[mkarch]

Originally Posted by Ira500

If I were working in Fremont, I'd live in...Fremont. It's a nice enough neighborhood, with plenty of places to shop or dine at. Walking to work has many advantages. You can easily find an apartment there for 2k. Or Ballard nearby would also be good, with even more dining and shopping options.

This makes the most sense. With so many good choices in and near Fremont, you'd have to have a really compelling reason to give yourself a commute to get there.

[strad]

2 bedroom for less than $2K is not easily doable in Fremont, especially when you are searching virtually from out of town. They exist, but are rare and you have to act fast when you see them. Fremont is a nice neighborhood though, so if I worked there I would definitely try to live there.

Ballard and U District probably have more options at the price range, and both are easy bus commutes to Fremont (or drives). North Queen Anne and Interbay have more at that price too, but those neighborhoods are not as nice in my opinion (Interbay is a bit industrial and split down the middle by a really busy, loud road. North Queen Anne just lacks in amenities and you have to walk up a half-mile up a giant hill to get to a grocery store for example)

[BATCAT]

Personally, the possibility of walking to work would be too nice to resist- I'd try to find something decent with two bedrooms in the same neighborhood or maybe the West side of Wallingford. (I know nothing of Walingford rents) I'd look at older, smaller buildings- you might find something in your price range in the area.

[Garfunkle524]

Whatever you do, live within walking distance to Paseo. When you're going there 4 days a week for a delicious sandwich you'll thank me.

[kaonevar]

I agree with Interbay not being great, but North Queen Anne is fine. Lots of stuff to do and very walkable. Though I don't think you'll find much in your price range. Ballard and Wallingford would probably be better.

[Ira500]

Originally Posted by Garfunkle524

Whatever you do, live within walking distance to Paseo. When you're going there 4 days a week for a delicious sandwich you'll thank me.

Uneeda Burger, across from Paseo, is also really good.

[mike62pp3]

Your best bet is to try the surrounding area like Wallingford, Ballard, QA, Greenwood, Greenlake. You can certainly find a 2bedroom within your price range (try using PadMapper). The problem you may run into, depending on your preference, is style of apartment.

I would prioritize the search in this order: Fremont > Wallingford > Ballard > Greenwood. Since you're doing all of this virtually, be wary of scammers which require everything upfront without seeing it in person (you can hire someone to go take a look, worth the money). Or you can pay a Seattle apartment hunting company to help find you an apartment.