Safe Housing Locations around UW, Seattle? (Roosevelt: apartment complex, for rent, crime)

[divinguwgrad]

I'm an international student moving to Seattle for grad studies and trying to find housing around the campus.
But everywhere around (U-district) is unsafe??

I'd love to know HOW unsafe. Is it just that homeless people exist and thus areas have been tagged as not so great to live in, or are there regular muggings and stabbings to go around? Previous tenants of a few places have mentioned that the homeless people get in on the ground floors - what does that mean? Do they trash the place and make it unlivable?

Most of my classes are going to be at night so I'd love not to be robbed/killed on the way back home?

Would love suggestions on specific areas I could look at for renting for a year or two. (Also, which places count when we say avoid Ave and West of Ave? Because that cuts down half of U-district since the University Way NE is pretty long)

Apologies if this is not right for the forum, but I'm out of credible places to ask at. Thanks in advance!

[Hemlock140]

The enrollment at UW is over 46,000, and nearly 50% live near the campus. I don't know where you got the information about safety, but you don't need to worry about it. Most of Seattle has a homeless problem, U District included, but crime there is mostly drug and alcohol related, and burglaries/car prowls. That's at about 19.69 incidents per 1,000 students, making it actually one of the safest parts of Seattle.

[Gardyloo]

Hi and welcome to C-D.

I don't know where you've gotten the idea about the U District being so unsafe, but, well, it isn't. Sure, there are instances of criminal behavior, and yes, there are some homeless (or better, "street") people about, but it's not some kind of dystopia. Thousands and thousands of people live in the U District (as, technically, do I) and go about normal lives. They are not being robbed and killed.

Seattle is a big American city and prone to the same kinds of issues as most other big American cities. If you use ordinary common sense and street smarts, you'll be fine.

In recent months the authorities have been clamping down on antisocial behavior, which generally has been limited to some "hot spots" along the Ave, generally north of NE 47th up toward the University Heights school. The city's response to homeless camps and (allegedly) homeless people causing trouble is now Topic One in the media. I suspect the situation is going to improve over the coming months as the perpetrators are identified and dealt with.

I would, however, make a couple of observations. First, with the opening of the University District light rail station on Brooklyn Ave. NE, combined with the other station at Husky Stadium, you don't HAVE to live in the U District at all. You could live in various other parts of town and have very easy access to the UW if you so choose.

Second, most of the newer apartment complexes - not just in the U District but citywide - are fitted with electronic entry systems to improve building security. It won't be hard to find one such place if it's that important to you.

As to specific location, I'd probably look east of the Ave and north of NE 50th to start, and probably would avoid areas west of Roosevelt and south of NE 45th, not for security reasons but because it's less convenient. But there are many new and quite acceptable buildings in that area, too, and again, I would not be overly concerned about security.

Happy hunting!

[jabogitlu]

The U District is a safe neighborhood, safer and much quieter than places like Capitol Hill or Belltown. As far as I know there aren't any type of unsavory or criminal elements in U District that you wouldn't encounter in basically any other urban or semi-urban neighborhood in Seattle. Crime in these areas is for the most part limited to petty theft (car break-ins, stealing stuff from people's open garages or alleys, etc.).

Also check with Campus Security/police. They may have some additional resources for you to consider and they may also offer some type of evening escort service, if that is something that would make you feel more assured.

I think overall it would be less "dangerous" in general to live in the U District than to interface with transportation (requiring longer walks, station waits, etc.) to get to another neighborhood.

I agree with the previous post that said the northeast quadrant of the neighborhood is in general more residential and quiet.

[ImprovedCylinder]

I lived in an apartment complex on the northeast corner of 8th Ave NE and NE 40th Street (across the street from the community garden). Most of my classes were in More Hall (Civil Engineering), so it was a 10 to 15 minute walk to cover about 1/2 mile via the Burke Gilman Trail. Never had any issues with any one bothering me, and most of my classes were in the afternoon and evening (getting home as late at 10pm sometimes).

My wife would go out walking with our toddler about the area near the University Book Store. She never had any problems either.

The only negative I can recall is getting panhandled a few times north of the University Book Store, but you just say no and keep walking, and it was during some sort of street festival.

I think the area is pretty safe.

[homesinseattle]

North of 50th is a little more mellow, generally speaking.

[Kayela]

Having gone to UW - you will get a notice every time a crime occurs near campus. I'd say maybe every other week? Considering the size of the campus, the size of the area around the campus, and the size of the homeless population - really not too bad.

I also took classes at night. Since I was a commuter, I parked on the NE portion of campus, and it was usually 9:30-10:00 when I was walking to my car. There were almost always other students around, and I didn't feel unsafe. Were I to live in the area, I'd have a strong preference for living in the area just to the north and/or east, basically as close to U Village as you can get. This are is a bit quieter, a bit nicer, and still a pretty easy walk. Considering how much time grad school will demand, I highly recommend living within walking distance no matter what. It's amazing how much time it can take to wait (or rush) for transit, nor would I want to take the bus late at night.

Just a couple things on 'The Ave'. The Ave can certainly feel a bit dicey at times, but mostly later at night. I've been going there for years (because I love Jet City Improv), and there's been many campaigns to 'clean up The Ave', *hint* it's never worked. Drug dealers want to sell drugs, students want to buy them, and so do many street kids. It's never going to be 'clean'. Really wouldn't want to live right on The Ave. That said, there are some fantastic restaurants there, amazing cheap-but-awesome ethnic eats, and unique shops. I wouldn't live there, but I also wouldn't avoid it - especially early in the evening. It's really no worse than any city in Europe I ever visited. You're more likely to be seen as a prospective customer than a prospective victim - customers are worth more.

Awesome job on getting into grad school! Welcome to UW, and best wishes with everything!

[CrazyDonkey]

Another option would be to live in Wallingford, west of I-5, which is much less dense, quieter, and more laid back and mature. The #44 trolleybus runs along 45th St every 10-12 minutes and can take 15 to 20 minutes to get to the campus.



You could also live in south Wallingford, or Northshore, and commute to campus via bicycle along the Burke-Gilman Trail.