do most people LIVE in Seattle or not? (Tacoma, Everett: apartment, rentals)

[Ira500]

If you're going to look into Kent and Auburn, add Renton to the list...a little closer to Seattle, with comparable rents to Kent and Auburn...

[mitsuturbo]

Originally Posted by RonMaverick804

Thank you for clearing that up!! Also I am renting a 3b 2 1/2 ba, 1400 sqft here and it is 1,500 a month. I will check into Kent and Auburn to see if there is anything if not i guess i cant move here . Again thanks everyone for your help.

I have seen PLENTY of places in that price range for rent in the seattle metro area. Many are out near maple valley, kent, and auburn as has been previously stated. I have also seen some single family dwellings in the south and west seattle areas that are comparable to what you are paying now, or just a bit more.

I have also seen 1 bedroom apartments near downtown for nearly what you're paying now. It's possible to find a happy medium between price and quality neighbors.. just takes a bit of searching.

[kengrubb]

Originally Posted by RonMaverick804

Thank you for clearing that up!! Also I am renting a 3b 2 1/2 ba, 1400 sqft here and it is 1,500 a month. I will check into Kent and Auburn to see if there is anything if not i guess i cant move here . Again thanks everyone for your help.

Over on South Hill (Puyallup) yesterday, wife and I saw rent signs for an apartment complex asking $850 for a 2 bdrm, $1100 (I think) for a 3 bdrm. No idea about the sf and traffic on Meridian can be a beast, but the South Hill area is nice.

[kengrubb]

Originally Posted by azoria

Frankly I don't know where in the entire state of Washington you could live and support 2 kids on $37,650.

People do it. I daresay there are plenty of state jobs in Olympia paying around $40K a year. When I contracted down there, I knew people who worked for the state but commuted in from Shelton, Yelm, Rainier and other areas beyond.

[Woof]

I'd think it would be do-able except for childcare. If the teenager is very mature and can do all the babysitting it might be possible. I don't know if there might be low-income childcare available, maybe the YWCA?

Well here's the YWCA link: Downtown Seattle - 1201 Third Avenue Looks like over a thousand for the young'un, and I don't know what you could do with the teenager.

[mkcHeather1]

You might consider a bit further south - just coming across the county line into Pierce County will drop the price of "livability" by quite a bit. Apartments are more in the range of $575 - $980 for a 2 - 3 bedroom. Also home values are a lot more reasonable (median home price is in the upper $280's where as in King County - which includes Seattle, Auburn and Kent - is in the upper $350's on up. My hubby takes the "Sounder" train to DT Seattle every day. They will be having light rail in the next few months that will be available for the areas you were talking about. Might be another alternative for you!

[Diane0512]

Hi Ronmaverick -- I don't think you should give up trying to move here. If you will be an RN, I think you will find salaries will be much better than what you were quoted. I have a friend who just got her first job after getting her RN at Children's hospital in Seattle starting at 60k per year. Good Luck, Diane

[SAKSUALDIS]

Ron,
look into Spokane.
Much more feasible and good for RN's.

[Anders15]

Thank you for your replies!! I was wondering if Olympia was cheaper, it is "south" as you all suggested.

[kengrubb]

Originally Posted by RonMaverick804

Thank you for your replies!! I was wondering if Olympia was cheaper, it is "south" as you all suggested.

2000 to 2001, wife and I lived in Lacey--part of the Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater metroplex--and we loved it down there. Almost no crime, quiet, peaceful, no traffic, cheap rents and cheap housing prices. It's more expensive these days than it was 8 or 9 years ago, but still much cheaper than anywhere north of it on up to Seattle.