Torn between two cities... Redmond or Bellevue (Seattle, Kirkland: appointed, real estate)

[flyingmachine84]

Hi Everybody,
I'm currently moving to the seattle area as i got a offer from MS. ( Sounds cliche in this forum i guess ). Now as the title suggests, i'm in a big dilemma as to where to live. I have read all the threads in this forum about this issue and it made me even more confused regarding what to chose. Hence i'm posting this thread to get answer to my specific situation. So here it goes.

My situation
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I'm 23 yr old, fresh out of gradaute school, outgoing and social guy. Since i'm going to work for MS, it makes sense to stay in redmond as its close to work, and also commute on 520 is pain in the A**. But from what i heard from friends working in MS, redmond is not as hip and happening as Bellevue. And also bellevue is more beautuiful, greener, has great social life ( night life) and also a lil more expensive than redmond. Since i'm a college student, and single and in early 20's, being in a more social place is very imp.

My Concerns/Questions
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1. Is it better to stay in redmond at walking distance from MS, or stay in Bellevue which is 20 mins by bus to MS. ( i dont have a car as yet.!) if rent at both the places is same.!

2. Long term wise, is staying in Bellevue more alluring than in Redmond, wrt to things to do on weekends, and when friends come over etc etc.!

3. I'm assuming most of the residents in both Bellevue ad redmond are MS employees, and hence the ridiculously high rent prices ( 1200 - 1500$ PM). So what do you guys think is a reasonable rent for a 2 bed 2 bath apt in both these areas?

Do reply asap, since i need to make my decision by end of this week

[clttosea]

My husband and I are relocating to Seattle through MS as well. We have a rental specialist assigned through the company who is going to take us on a tour of rental properties and give us advice on areas, prices, etc.

If that was not part of your package, based on what you say in your post I'd say go with Bellevue. We are leaning towards Bellevue ourselves for the things-to-do aspect, and besides, MS will pay for public transporation for employees. A 20-minute bus commute is no big deal IMHO.

[jwb123]

Bellevue has night life?

Honestly, one just has more shopping/restaurants than the other - and they are both right next to each other, that you could be driving down the road in Bellevue, cross over to Redmond - and you wouldn't notice a difference.

I think for "night life" most people in their 20's would be heading into Seattle.

I don't think this decision should be a big one for you - as like I said, they are basically the same... just find the right apartment, in either one, and you will be fine.

[scirocco22]

I agree with Jenbar. Remember, Microsoft is not located in downtown Redmond. Sure, downtown Redmond isn't as big or will have much less nightlife than downtown Bellevue. But the Campus itself is located more in the Overlake area and the Overlake area straddles the Bellevue/Redmond line ...both downtown areas are several miles away. Also keep in mind that the Microsoft campus and its satellite areas around the main campus are only blocks from the Bellevue city limits. As Jen says, the two cities run together.

If you want to be within walking distance from the campus, you'll probably want to be in the Overlake area or the Crossroads area of Bellevue. It's probably acceptable for ammenities but yes, downtown Bellevue will have a bit more to do as far as nightlife is concerned. Overlake, along with the Crossroads area is becoming more trendy as time passes but still not an entertainment mecca.

Like Jen says, take the bus to Seattle for a more variety of entertainment and nightlife (or ride with friends in a car).

[Ira500]

Microsoft also has "The Connector", their own private free shuttle vans for employees, and run from Bellevue/Issaquah/ Seattle, and points north. They've got 5 routes now and are expanding to 11.
I'm agreeing with Jenbar and Scirocco..a 20 something could live in Bellevue, but Seattle would be where it's at for all kinds of entertainment, and if you chose, you could live in parts of Seattle and not have that hellish of a commute.

[allforcats]

Originally Posted by flyingmachine84

1. Is it better to stay in redmond at walking distance from MS, or stay in Bellevue which is 20 mins by bus to MS. ( i dont have a car as yet.!) if rent at both the places is same.!

2. Long term, is staying in Bellevue more alluring than in Redmond, wrt to things to do on weekends, and when friends come over etc etc.!

3. I'm assuming most of the residents in both Bellevue ad redmond are MS employees, and hence the ridiculously high rent prices ( 1200 - 1500$ PM). So what do you guys think is a reasonable rent for a 2 bed 2 bath apt in both these areas?

1. They're both the same. I live in one of them, two minutes' walk from the other, less than a mile from the main MS campus. The towns are identical. Walking to work or taking a bus ride -- it doesn't matter. It's all good. Employers here pay for the bus pass. You'll need it anyway to go grocery shopping, to go anywhere without a car.

2. There's nothing "alluring" about either Redmond or Bellevue. Both are quiet, tree-filled suburban residential areas.

What is a "wrt"?

No matter where you live, there will be nothing "to do" right down the street unless you live in downtown office/commercial Bellevue, or old town Bellevue, both of which are 20 to 30 minutes by bus from MS depending on traffic. Bellevue and Redmond are legally cities, but each has a few areas where lots of stores are collected, called malls. You will have to take a bus to the movies, supermarket, restaurants, wherever you want to go. "Alluring"!!! That's funny! We have lots of trees, not lots of allure.

3. Not. Most are NOT connected in any way to MS. You will learn, over time, the value of real estate and the fact that they're not making any land anymore so whatever land there is, is valuable, and the more people want to live in just that place, the more monetary value that place is assigned. The rent prices you state are not "ridiculously high". They are reality, and the reality here is that the cost of living is high.

Choose either town. Walk or bus to work. You'll enjoy either choice. And know that no matter what choice you make, Life will always show you the best it has to offer you from that choice. Go forth in joy!

[Redline]

Between Redmond or Bellevue I would pick Bellevue easily although it would likely cost more (but you work at MS so no biggie). More places to walk to BUT I would live as close to Bellevue Square as possible. Get a place close to 8th St. and Bellevue Way, the busiest intersection there but also where a lot of places are within walking distance. Once you get a car, however, you will realize how close Redmond is. I would check out the Kirkland waterfront once you get a car, it's a great place to be in the summer.

Nightlife is skimpy everywhere around here. Where are you moving from?

I would only live in Seattle if you had to work closer to there or want to experience the night-life around Beltown and Pioneer Square which gets old after a month. Again, once you get a car you can just drive down to Beltown on the weekends b/c that's really the only time people are there. Not sure if anyone mentioned this but there's a high probability of tolls on both bridges in the near future.

No matter where you stay, be prepared to see a lot of dudes!

[toughguy]

It depends on what kind of nightlife you like. If you like going to rock/hiphop shows, or chill places where you can sit down and have a few drinks, it never gets old. If you are looking for L.A./Miami style clubs you will be disappointed.

[malarkey]

I think the real question here should be "do I want to live amongst other singles, or do I want to live amongst families with small children?"

Answer that, and then you'll know where to live. Don't live close to work just to avoid the commute. If you live on Capital Hill or Montlake or Madrona, the commute isn't that bad, and your night life will be a helluva lot more interesting.

[aek11]

I always thought of Redmond as sort of the boonies. I think at your age, Bellevue would definitely be more fun. I actually love Bellevue. I like Redmond too, it's just so far away from everything. I wouldn't really consider Bellevue a suburb, it's more of a city on its own. Bellevue, Redmond, Issaquah, mercer island, are all more of the "rich parts" of the Seattle metro area. So I think all of those cities are very clean and upscale compared to a lot of other areas. So, I highly recommend that you go with Bellevue. I would love to live there if it wasn't so expensive.