Rainier Valley (Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue: apartments, rentals, crime)

[texastrigirl]

All-

My father in law just relocated to Seattle from the East Coast and is currently staying with us until we can find him a room to rent. One of the postings we are looking at is in Rainier Valley. Is that a relatively safe area for a 69 year old man? The area of the house looks clean enough but I often read of this being a higher crime area in Seattle. He is young at heart, has lived in big cities much of his life and still wants to be centrally located. He has financial constraints and a dog (Golden Retriever) who is like a child so that is complicating our search a bit. He'd be a great roommate for someone though. Thanks!

[Ira500]

The Rainier Valley is fairly large and some of it is much nicer than other parts. In general, those parts east of Rainier Avenue are better (closer to the lake) and so is the Columbia City area . Columbia City is walkable with stores, restaurants, a movie theatre, and a good bakery...north and south and west of there are a bit sketchy, though the Lakewood/Seward Park area nearby (southeast of Rainier Valley) is also really nice.

[Modena04]

http://www.history.com/minisites/gan...itle-image.jpg

[Jake840]

"Her neighorhood of million dollar waterfront homes is now a shooting gallery for waring street thugs"

"My son has come home twice right after a driveby shooting"

- King5 story interviewing residents of Lakewood/Seward Park 10/25/08

[secret_squirrel]

Rainier Valley has long struggled with violence and gang activity. Crime ebbs and flows. For a while there, things seemed to be improving, but now, street violence is increasing in Seattle and I could not recommend that area.

[Woof]

Well, try this for a start, but once he's settled in he could start looking for senior housing. Those places can be really nice. Here's something for now: NWapartments: Seattle apartment rentals, house rental listings, rental classifieds and other property rentals in Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue and other Washington areas, cities and neighborhoods | - Search results

And here's something for later, I assume you can't get in right away:

Seattle Senior Housing Program (SSHP)
The Seattle Senior Housing Program, which was established by a bond issue passed by Seattle voters in 1981, provides housing for people over the age of 62 and for a small number of disabled adults. SSHP's 23 attractive and thoughtfully designed buildings are located in such popular neighborhoods as Green Lake, West Seattle, Queen Anne and Magnolia. Most buildings are located on quiet residential streets. Secured entries ensure privacy and safety. | Pictured: Island View

Small buildings, ideal for independent living
SSHP buildings feature elevators and comfortable, carpeted apartments for one- or two-person households. Community rooms permit residents to engage in social activities and stay active. On any given afternoon, a visitor might find residents playing cards, participating in a quilting club or enjoying an exercise class..... (more at Seattle Senior Housing Program )

[texastrigirl]

Thanks all for the advice. I would have loved to put him in the Senior Housing options in Seattle but he has a large dog he understandably won't part with. The dog is 12 though so maybe in a few years it will work. We found him a great place in Queen Anne...very very small room but in a great house for the right price...so whew!! I love him but it's hard living with an in-law!!