do most people LIVE in Seattle or not? (Kent, Shoreline: rent, houses)

[Peripateticshutin]

From the info you've given, you're probably bound for a suburb.

People will point to cheap rents in downtown Seattle but, with a kid, you're going to want good schools and some safety. Relatively, Seattle is a pretty safe city, but, as with any city, the suburbs are typically where the better public schools and safer neighborhoods are.

If you have a choice, the further South of Seattle, the cheaper. Everett suburbs are also relatively cheaper.

[eastwesteastagain]

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.

Not so sure about apartments, but I've rented houses (3-4 bed, 1200-1600 sq ft) for under $1500 - specifically under 1300 in South Park (within Seattle's southern limits bordering Burien and Whitecenter) and under 1400 in Renton. The commute was much easier from S. Park because buses run more regularly than out in Renton (but Renton's a big place with some areas better served by buses than others) but I find the Renton area to be safer. I'd definitely check out W. Seattle as well - both safe and easy commute. Good luck!

[vnodak]

Originally Posted by Peripateticshutin

From the info you've given, you're probably bound for a suburb.

People will point to cheap rents in downtown Seattle but, with a kid, you're going to want good schools and some safety. Relatively, Seattle is a pretty safe city, but, as with any city, the suburbs are typically where the better public schools and safer neighborhoods are.

If you have a choice, the further South of Seattle, the cheaper. Everett suburbs are also relatively cheaper.

Totally agree---get your RN and find where you want to work first. Their are places all over. I personally would stay out of Seattle in that price range---you can live close---be safer---better schools out side Seattle.

[motor80]

I moved into Fremont a little over 5 years ago (late summer 2003) with some buddies and we got a 2-bedroom apartment plus finished studio basement (private entrance and 3/4 bath) for $1200 in a 3-story triplex. My buddies have since moved out and I have had a career job for past three years and live in the place alone now. Luckily (knock on wood) my rent has not increased. I'm not sure if the landlord is just super nice or there's some sort of rent-control I am unaware of.

I think these kinds of deals can still be found, you just need to hoof it. In my opinion and experience, a lot of times the best deals can be found by simply walking around a neighborhood you like and looking for "For Rent" signs instead of relying on on-line rentals services like Craigslist, Apartments.com, etc.

Of course, if you don't live here, "hoofing" it is not an option.

I wish you the best of luck in your search!

[Anders15]

Well thanks again. When you say suburbs/south of Seattle you mean Auburn and Tacoma or a farm like community? I can afford to pay the same and I'd imagine it actually would be less considering the SOL would go up when I get a job there.

[SouthernerInSeattle]

Hell who can afford to live in the city limit's on the average man's pay. I know I can't..we live in Lynnwood

[Peripateticshutin]

Originally Posted by RonMaverick804

Well thanks again. When you say suburbs/south of Seattle you mean Auburn and Tacoma or a farm like community? I can afford to pay the same and I'd imagine it actually would be less considering the SOL would go up when I get a job there.

Not as far out as Tacoma or Auburn really. It also depends on where you work and what kind of commute you can stand.

Just to give some examples: East and South of Seattle, there are Renton, Kent, etc. North of Seattle, you've got Bothell, Edmonds, Lynnwood, etc where you can probably rent an apartment within your means with little difficulty.

[Woof]

Very generally speaking, north of Seattle seems to be a little safer and more appropriate for a family - but of course that's only partly true.

[Anders15]

Thanks for the insight.. Still kind of worried about only having 32k.

[Midas AG]

Crap, my Wife and I are moving out there at about 40K, and going to be going to school. She makes $20k a year, and I will be finding a job, so about 40k total. I will graduate in a year though, and her in two. We only live on about 30k now, and pay around $800 a month in rent. We were looking at Seattle proper for a while, but decided to go north of town for location, price, and everything else. I have been finding 2 bedrooms around $850, and 3 bedrooms for well under the $1500 your spending now. It just takes some looking.

Then again, she will be going to school north of Seattle, and I will be doing flight training at Boeing field, which is south of Seattle. Rather have her be close to school and drive a little further for my training.