SAFE and reasonably-priced areas near Costco HQ? (Bellevue, Redmond: apartments, rentals)

[CostcoBound]

Hello,

I am going to be working at Costco HQ in Issaquah. I'd like to find safe neighborhoods, within about a 20-30 minute commute. I'd need a 2 bedroom, and I don't want to pay more than $1100 (preferably closer to $900 or $1000, but I don't know if that's possible). I'm not worried about schools or activities or anything like that. But SAFETY is paramount, and I can't handle long commutes.

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[mitsuturbo]

Safety in the Issaquah area is a non issue, i believe. Anything you find around there is pretty well "safe" as far as i know. I'm not sure about what you're looking for in housing, but you aren't going to find a single family dwelling in that area for that much money. You'll have to look into :ugh: apartments, i'm sure.

[allforcats]

Try Issaquah. It's quite a safe area. And since Issaquah residential areas are relatively new, rentals are generally attractive and appealing. There are many, many condos and some townhomes in Issaquah which will comprise a lot of the rental properties.

An alternative that would meet your commuting time and safety requirements would be North Bend, east of Issaquah. North Bend is older and would have some properties with lower rents but also has a lot of newer condos. I personally love North Bend for its small town feel and closeness to the mountains. On a map you may see Preston between Issaquah and North Bend; it's beautiful, and no larger than the head of a pin so would have few, if any, rentals. Or you might consider Newcastle or Newport Hills, west of Issaquah and south of Bellevue. All these towns are just off I-90 and would be a fairly painless commute to Issaquah.

Try the combined classifieds of the two leading newspapers in the area. This will open for the east side, which is where all those cities and towns are. Click on any smaller city for rentals in that city:
http://rentals.nwsource.com/rentals/...t=1&search2=No
There's also craigslist. Be certain that you NEVER ever ever send any money to anyone until you verify that the property really is exactly as advertised, and that the person is legally authorized to rent the property.

[Pittgal]

Here is where we lived in Issaquah and you could actually walk to work, it would take about 10 minutes. We walked over there every weekend for the farmers market there.

Park Hill At Issaquah in Issaquah, WA - Issaquah, Washington Apartment Rentals | Essex Property Trust

[CostcoBound]

Thanks for the suggestions. I don't mind an apartment/townhouse. As much as I love a single-family dwelling, I just can't take care of a yard right now.

I spoke with a police officer in Issaquah. He said he wouldn't let his daughter live in downtown Issaquah. That's why I haven't looked there. So, I'm surprised that everyone here seems to think it's safe.

Do apartments near there EVER come with air conditioning??? I don't see it anywhere!

[allforcats]

We'd all agree, I'm sure, with the officer who wouldn't let his daughter live in downtown Issaquah. But you eliminated the entire city based on one street.

Downtown Issaquah is fairly old. It still has many of the old shacks lived in by miners, loggers, and quarry workers from the late 19th and early 20th century. Fascinating! (But you should see Black Diamond and Buckley...)
Small shops grew around those little houses, along the railroad.

That was then. This is now. The main street has had a lot of beautification and restoration, but has traffic and thus noise, and gas stations, etc. "Issaquah" now is an entirely different place -- a fairly upscale residential community. In the second half of the last century it was developed in outward patterns. What we are talking about are the rentals you will find advertised, newish and fine.

No, there isn't air conditioning anywhere here except in sealed-window hotels. It would be lovely on about 4 or 8 days in July or August. Period. So we open our windows after sundown and let that very brisk cold ocean breeze from the southwest race through our homes. The other 357 days, no need.

[CostcoBound]

Ahh, ok. So I should look for places away from the main street? (Is that "Front Street"?) How far away do you need to get before things are nice and safe?

[allforcats]

Yes, Front St. is the main street, the "downtown".
Just give it 3 or 4 blocks from Front St. and you've got treed heaven.

[texastrigirl]

There are some nice apartments up Issaquah Fall City Rd that sit just up behind Home Depot, etc. You could also even go up to Redmond right near Marymoor Park. It might be a bit trafficky but still not a bad commute. I would also look in Issaquah Highlands.

[Ira500]

I'll second what Texas T Girl said. Issaquah fall city and black nugget roads both have numerous nice apts and condos.