Moving from Miami, FL to Seattle, WA (2014, apartments)

[305to206]

Hi everyone!

My husband and I are moving from Miami, FL to Seattle, WA... we thought rents were outrageous here, but Seattle is insane! Plus the apartments are so tiny!
Any neighborhoods near Belltown that aren't too far a commute and won't break the bank? Needs to be dog friendly.

Thanks!
JB

[Ninjak]

This is exactly the same situation I'm in. My wife received a great job offer in Seattle so we are relocating to there from Miami as well. The rents in Seattle are something to behold. As you noted, I thought Miami was high, but it doesn't hold a candle to Seattle. We also have a dog and that made it a challenge to find any decent condo that would willingly accept pets. There's also a ton of demand so owners and their agents don't necessarily get back to you in a timely fashion and the applicant screening process can be daunting to say the least. In Seattle, tenants only have to provide 20 days notice that they're moving whereas most places in Miami require 30 days if not 60 days notice, so timing can be an issue in terms of what's available. The other thing to be mindful of is parking fees. Unless you're renting a condo where a space is included, all of the managed properties charge anywhere from $150-$250 just for the first parking space. And as you indicated, most of the one bedroom units are very small relative to what you would find in the Miami area. Anything around 750 sq ft is going to be on the larger end of what you'll find in Seattle. I would recommend the Belltown area. That's where we settled on so my wife would be able to walk to work. We're definitely paying a lot more than we ever anticipated for rent, but at least we'll be able to go down to one car. Feel free to message me if you're looking for any other suggestions.

[hurricane harry]

I grew up in Miami and moved here in 95. The rents are high but you can make a good living here. Seattle is all about the money. They will sell their soul for the right price. Historical architecture gets torn down for the highest bidder and a boxy particle house goes up in its place. At first the weather wont bother you, but as you get older you will notice the gray more. Move close to your job because the commutes are brutal. Come join the fray.

[WANative]

I did the opposite--Moved from Seattle to Boca Raton in 2014. I absolutely love it down here...Good luck up there. The gray skies, traffic and high cost of living really ruined it for me after living there over 25 years.

[Backstrom]

As an FYI, the OP is asking for ADVICE about housing options in Seattle, not personal platitudes about how the city bothers you.

For the OP, what does your budget look like? Anywhere near Belltown will likely be astronomically expensive so if you're willing to stretch out your commute, you may want to think farther north, past the Ship Canal. Ballard, Fremont are potential options, though not cheap either. There are also very few places that aren't dog friendly.

[noah]

Of course neighborhoods will vary but the latest Zumper report shows that there is only a $10 difference in 1bd rents between Seattle and Miami. Maybe its as much the area you are looking in as the city itself. 2 bedrooms actually show as more expensive in Miami.

https://www.zumper.com/blog/2017/03/...-april-2017-2/

[CrazyDonkey]

Look north. Greenwood, Bitter Lake, Haller Lake, Northgate, Lake City.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by CrazyDonkey

Look north. Greenwood, Bitter Lake, Haller Lake, Northgate, Lake City.

Northgate may seem like too far away, but there are express buses that zip you downtown via freeway bus lanes. If you're looking for affordability + an easy commute, that would be one way to go.

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

Northgate may seem like too far away, but there are express buses that zip you downtown via freeway bus lanes. If you're looking for affordability + an easy commute, that would be one way to go.

#41 from Lake City and Northgate via I-5: Route 41 - King County

#5 from Bitter/Haller Lake and Greenwood via Greenwood Ave/Aurora: Route 5 - King County

E-Line RapidRide from Aurora Village via Aurora/Hwy 99: RapidRide E Line - King County

D-Line Rapid-Ride from Crown Hill via 15th Ave W/Seattle Center/Belltown: RapidRide D Line - King County

[hurricaneMan1992]

Originally Posted by WANative

I did the opposite--Moved from Seattle to Boca Raton in 2014. I absolutely love it down here...Good luck up there. The gray skies, traffic and high cost of living really ruined it for me after living there over 25 years.

Boca vs. Miami = HUGE difference! Boca will even survive sea level rise a decade or two longer than Miami

I'm in the same boat. Lots of us Miamians voting with out feet, apparently.

Although I live in Miami Beach so the rents and parking situation over there are not much of a sticker shock.