Renton, WA (Bellevue, Lynnwood, Marysville: real estate, rent, crime rate)

[ez2bfriend]

Hi,

I read so many of the threads, and learned a lot. I have a potential job opportunity in Renton, WA, that I decided to pursue because of the job itself, which is a great opportunity from several aspects. But when it comes to living, I haven't seen too many postings about Renton. The few I read are not exacly flattering. I need to live about 20 minutes at the most away. How's life within that radius? Do houses appreciate reasonably well? Are they on the high or low end of prices compared to surrounding areas? The community? Crimes?

Or should I live further away and stay in a hotel when I have to be nearby, which would be probably once or twice a week? But that's already way too expensive.

Thank you all for any advices.

[compltlyme]

Well to be honest... the north east side of Renton seems nice. The outskirts... In town... I wouldn't live there if I was offered payment. I find the stores messy and even dirty in some areas. I won't go back to that walmart for anything!! I hear the crime rate is high there and there is gang activity in the schools. If you work in Renton you could live in Bellevue or Issaquah and not have such a long commute. And the areas are nicer and safer.

Not that Renton isn't with out its nicer areas but I just don't know which those are other than the outskirts of the city.

[ez2bfriend]

Thank you Compltyme. That certainly helps. I guess a good real estate can show me the nice places. Probably I should rent close to my work place for a coule of months, and get a first-hand feel of how it is like here and there. Thanks again

[scirocco22]

Yeah, just to expand a bit on what Compltyme has said, anywhere on the "eastside" is worth looking at if you wish to avoid living in Renton. You will be reverse commuting if traveling during the day as traffic on I-405 is horrendous going northbound in the morning and southbound in the afternoon. If you are commuting during the normal day hours, you'll be going in the opposite direction which isn't quite as bad.

And yeah, I second what she said about the Walmart in Renton ...never again!

--'rocco

[AppleButter]

There are several nice areas in Renton. My inlaws live in the Fairwood area and my husband grew up there. Nice upper middle class area, housing prices are more reasonable than the far east side, such as Bellevue.

[peaseblossom]

What is up with that Walmart!??? Seriously bad...........

[jwb123]

I have found most Walmarts in western WA are really bad. The one nice one is all the way up in Marysville.

I would not live in Renton. Period. Or south of it.

I would live in Issaquah, or Bellevue and commute in, though you will definitely pay a lot more for housing, or rent.

[Mark S.]

I work in Renton.

I would not live in Renton.

[scirocco22]

Yup, I would agree with everything that Jen said.

--'rocco

[chris]

the Walmart in Lynnwood is not that bad, you don't have to go all the way to Marysville...

That Renton Walmart - yikes.