Moving to Seattle/Renton from Texas... (Kent, Auburn: transplants, apartments, rentals)

[alamar]

Hey there,

My husband (of almost 1 month) just broke the news to me that he found a job in Renton. Let me tell you, that was such a shock! I have lived in Midland, Texas my entire life, and the farthest north I have ever been was when we went to Vegas for our honeymoon!

Anyway, I hear Seattle is expensive. What is the cost of living there? The guy who interviewed my husband said that he can pay $17/hour and he can guarantee 30 hours per week. When my husband asked about housing and the economy in Seattle, the guy told him that Renton is expensive, but we could "easily afford something in Seattle." Is this true? I have been looking but it is hard to find anything afforable (with that salary) in those two cities.

This would be a huge pay cut for my husband, but he thinks it is worth it... I know I will have to find another job, but I have yet to finish college, and only have an associates degree... Would there be any jobs for me?

PLEASE HELP! I'm just overwhelmed...

[seattlenextyear]

Oh god, don't do it. You've been duped. Stay where you are.

[Ira500]

Renton is less expensive for rents than most of Seattle. Bu even in Renton, there aren't a lot of places for rent for less than 1000 per month.
The economy here is still pretty good, and you should be able to find some kind of job here.
Kent and Auburn and Tukwila are close to Renton and have less expensive rents.

[alamar]

I really hope that we haven't been duped! I talked to my husband again and he said that he could get another job to afford living in Seattle... I just don't want it to come to that. I don't want us to make the decision to move and then regret it once we get there, especially since $1000/mo would probably be at the high end of what we could afford (depending on what kind of job I could find)

How is the crime rate in Auburn, Tukwila, etc...?

Also, would it be worth it to pay a higher rent in Renton to offset the cost of commuting to and from work from another town?

[cobolt]

Do NOT move here on 17 dollars an hour at 30 hours a week. Good grief. Renton isn't the best of areas, or at least much of it isn't and neither is Tukwila. I think it would just be a disappointment for you and your husband. You'll need more $$$ to get into more livable areas, let alone Seattle, not to mention traffic. You really have no idea (especially coming from Tx...I know, I moved here from Tx) the difference in cost of living between where you are now and where you are considering. I just wouldn't do it without more money on the table. Doesn't make sense for your husband to take a pay cut to move to a higher cost of living area. I mean, he's not getting a great deal here.

[azoria]

$17 an hour X 30 hours per week=$510. $2,040 a month before taxes. $24,480 per year.

No way. That's real poverty level here. Half of the average Seattle area income.

A lot of apartments here verify proof of income for rentals, and they also will not rent if the monthly payment is more than 33% of monthly income. In this case you would not be able to qualify for an average rental price of $1,000 a month.

Your husband's job offer is not a good deal.

[CityGirl72]

Renton is MUCH cheaper then Seattle but $17 an hour won't get you anything - STAY IN TEXAS!

What kind of job is paying $17 an hour but wants someone out of state? That's poverty level.

[MichaelinWA]

Why?

Originally Posted by alamar

This would be a huge pay cut for my husband, but he thinks it is worth it...

[alamar]

I think he is just excited because we have both lived in Texas our entire lives, and he just wants something new. The job offer was for an airplane mechanic... He said something about working at Boeing for a side job...?

Right now I am the executive assistant for a really "up there" broker here in Midland... Would there be something in the area for me? Would I qualify for an apartment?

[cobolt]

I think even with getting a second job or you working, your life would be spent working just to survive instead of working to enjoy your life. I would suggest a visit here so you can get a gander yourself: go into the grocery stores and look at the prices, drive to some of these areas you're thinking of moving, look at the commute, talk to people. That's the best way to get the feel of a place. You have people on this forum, people who live here now, both locals and transplants, telling you this isn't a good, financial move in regards to your potential situation, and you don't seem to "get that." I understand that maybe you and your husband want to get out of Tx, but there are more affordable places, if that's all you're looking to do. If your pocketbook or finances don't allow you to make a relocation visit up here, then please don't consider moving here. I'm not trying to be rude. I"m just saying, you have no idea.