Considering Seattle/Tacoma (Bellevue, Everett, Federal Way: sublet, apartment complexes, rent)

[jedf]

I am considering Seattle/Tacoma for my move from Houston, TX.

I want someplace relatively multicultural/diverse, apartments that are pet friendly and maybe $850 or less, access in nature, pleasant or at least tolerant people, walkable, and access to healthy foods. I am also curious on mental health jobs as I am finishing grad school to become a therapist. Are these areas open to interests such as psychedelics and non-ordinary states of consciousness? (it's related to my studies)

Would I be well received considering I am 27 Latino/European INFJ male?

Thank you for your consideration. The Pacific Northwest seems more progressive compared to the South.

[Hemlock140]

Your problem will be the rent budget. I can't think of any place within the Seattle and Tacoma area with apartments that inexpensive other than south Tacoma/Parkland, but would not consider that area to have good access to nature, walkable, or with access to much in the way of healthy foods. It's also one of the highest crime areas, which helps explain the low rent. Average Tacoma rent for 1 bedroom is $1,049, Seattle $1,615.

[homesinseattle]

jedf, you will be well received. There isn't a worry in the world about that part of it. Your budget, that's another story. If you are okay renting a room/sharing a place, you might have a chance.

[jedf]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

Your problem will be the rent budget. I can't think of any place within the Seattle and Tacoma area with apartments that inexpensive other than south Tacoma/Parkland, but would not consider that area to have good access to nature, walkable, or with access to much in the way of healthy foods. It's also one of the highest crime areas, which helps explain the low rent. Average Tacoma rent for 1 bedroom is $1,049, Seattle $1,615.

Hmm, what about the Bellevue area or anything nearby Seattle? Would that be in the same range?

[CrazyDonkey]

Studios at least close to your rent budget are available throughout the Seattle-Tacoma area, including even on Capitol Hill in Seattle. You might also look for a roommate or temporary/sublet housing situation:

https://seattle.craigslist.org/search/roo

https://seattle.craigslist.org/search/sub

For a one-bedroom close to your budget in a walkable/safe urban neighborhood, you'll probably need to look in some (not all) neighborhoods in Tacoma (Central/Downtown, Stadium/North End) or Everett (Bayside/Port Gardner), or settle for a more car-centric suburban area like Lynnwood (north of Seattle) or Federal Way (south of Seattle).

[RustinginSeattle]

Bellevue is just as, if not more, expensive than Seattle. Renting is one of our most competitive activities these days, as demand outweighs supply. If you wait a couple years until they finish building a lot more apt buildings, you might have better luck. Right now, you have to show up on the first day in person to get anything in your price range. I second looking for a roommate situation, if you really want to come check it out here. At least then, you would be local and have a better lay of the land when you try to find your own place.

One of my good friends is a therapist and they just don't get paid that much around here. He still hasn't been able to get out from under his student loan debt. If you have a lot of debt, I wouldn't move to a super expensive area that doesn't pay more for your services. I might be wrong about that and maybe someone else could weigh in on that.

[cmswazey]

Agreed. Bellevue is expensive. Any place in the King County area with nicer, new apartment complexes around shopping and with many amenities will be high. We're talking 1200.00 for a studio, and can easily go up well over 1600.00 for larger ones, use of garage space, and so on.

Tacoma's cheaper. Also consider Burien, which is a small city just South East of Seattle.

Obviously, independently owned smaller apartments can be cheaper, but with that, you need to be careful about condition of the property, neighborhood and so on.

You can rent a small house for the same amount of rent that a decent apartment costs.

[cmswazey]

Originally Posted by jedf

I am considering Seattle/Tacoma for my move from Houston, TX.

I want someplace relatively multicultural/diverse, apartments that are pet friendly and maybe $850 or less, access in nature, pleasant or at least tolerant people, walkable, and access to healthy foods. I am also curious on mental health jobs as I am finishing grad school to become a therapist. Are these areas open to interests such as psychedelics and non-ordinary states of consciousness? (it's related to my studies)

Would I be well received considering I am 27 Latino/European INFJ male?

Thank you for your consideration. The Pacific Northwest seems more progressive compared to the South.

We're very ethnically diverse out here. I can't imagine you'd not be well received. It's a lovely area- just tends to be pricey, housing-wise.

[Hemlock140]

Here's an example of rent here. A friend has been paying $1,600/month for a 2 BR in Ballard (Seattle) for the last 3 years. He called the landlord to ask about extending 2 more years, and was told that he could but the rent would be $3,100. Apparently he has several people that have offered that much already sight unseen. So he's moving to a small house in lower Beacon Hill, for $1,800. The credit check, reference checks, and other hoops he had to jump through took 10 days, not knowing if he and his wife would have a place to go when they move out this weekend.

[jedf]

Thanks for the tips!

I wonder if most salaries match up with the cost of living in WA.