Recommendations for housing within one hour from Seattle (Everett, West Valley: apartments, lease)

[Sarapha]

We live in British Columbia. My son must go to Seattle frequently for medical treatment. The long drive back and forth is wearing us down. He is unable to fly. His doctor wants us to relocate to Seattle area so she can keep a closer eye on him.

He doesn't qualify for Ronald McDonald house as he is not at Children's Hospital. I need to find housing max. $700.00 (but the cheaper the better) as we would be maintaining this AND our house back home and can't afford more. We would prefer something in the University/Children's Hospital district, but except for rooming in a college student house, I can't find anything affordable. This sort of housing arrangement would not work as he needs quiet and privacy.

All other options such as hostels and short-term housing at hotel apartments are too costly. Most apartments want a minimum one year lease and while we will likely be in Seattle longer than that, I don't want a lease obligation; I want to be able to go home as soon as possible.

We need to find an apartment or small house that's hopefully within roughly a one hour drive to the University W. District. Definitely nothing that would require us to drive through the mountain passes. We've looked for house-sitting positions without luck. I've also looked for a live-in companion position for a (somewhat independant/healthy) elderly person, without luck. We are clean living with no criminal record. My son's health issues are not contagious.

As my husband will stay behind in BC to work and only be able to visit once a month or so it my be myself and my son so safety is an issue for us, along with the afformentioned privacy needs and cost limitations.

I have spent hours and hours online - forums, craigslist, kiijiji, etc, but do not know which are the good/bad areas and which communities are affordable - due to conflicting opinions on forums and websites. I am also concerned about being scammed.

Any suggestions on what communities we should look into, anyone? I was thinking of a smaller outlining community so it would be more quiet, affordable and give him the nature he loves so much. Maybe Sultan or something? I will not be working so employment is not an issue. He homeschools so proximity to schools is not an issue. Any suggestions would be most appreciated. Thanks everyone.

[mitsuturbo]

I'd suggest looking in the south sound area, or maybe somewhere out in kitsap. There really isn't a neighborhood that i don't feel i could walk through at night, except the homeless and drug addicted in the belltown area kind of freak me out. I don't like being down there very late if i can help it. I can't stand Everett, personally. But i think it's because it reminds me of West Valley City, Utah (part of Salt Lake) which i hated when i lived in Salt Lake.

[Sarapha]

Thank you, mitsuturbo. I'll try that. Good to know the area is basically safe. That gives me comfort. Thanks for your time.