Moving to Seattle in 2011, hopefully (Tacoma, Bellevue: apartments, rentals, crime)

[Death Nickel]

I'll be moving to Seattle from Phoenix, AZ in 2011 after I graduate from college.

About me: I'm 20 (as of Saturday, woot!) and I'm in my second year of college at Arizona State University. I'm originally from Baltimore, Maryland. I convinced myself that I needed to get far far away from there, So I migrated to Arizona. But I soon learned that I hate the sun lol. I don't know what possessed me to move to Phoenix of all places, but I did and shame, shame on me. I'm an English major and I'll be sticking with it (after three failed major attempts) and I might even go to grad school in Seattle. I'll probably have crap loads of student loans when I move, but hopefully I'll get a job or two soon to alleviate some of that stress over the next two years.

I was wildly ecstatic when I read about the Seattle Freeze, because that's basically my life. I guess I'm Seattle Frozen in Phoenix and I don't mind. Except when people try to talk to me because that's not really all that fun. So don't worry about that part!!

I know Seattle is crazy expensive, especially for a recent grad. And crime is on the rise.

So can anyone tell me about Seattle and how awesome I think it'll be? Because I want it to be extremely awesome.
Maybe the best and cheapest neighborhoods right now? Great job markets in Seattle for an English grad? Or any/ everything anyone who reads and answers this thread can think of? I accept all answers

Thanks for reading!

[allforcats]

Originally Posted by Death Nickel

I'll be moving to Seattle...in 2011.
Congratulations!

I hate the sun
Then you might love western Washington.

crime is on the rise.
Have you noticed the U.S. is in a deep economic recession? In every recession and depression, crime always increases in every area of the country where there is a contracting economy.

So can anyone tell me about Seattle and how awesome I think it'll be? Because I want it to be extremely awesome.
No reply possible.

Maybe the best and cheapest neighborhoods right now? [I'll be moving to Seattle...in 2011.]
The many "best" and the very few "cheapest" neighborhoods will likely change during the next two years. Ask again in 1-3/4 years.
Research resources
Click on places in the little map --
NWapartments: Seattle apartment rentals, house rental listings, rental classifieds and other property rentals in Seattle, Tacoma, Bellevue and other Washington areas, cities and neighborhoods
There are also craigslist, apartments.com, rent.com, forrent.com...

Great job markets in Seattle for an English grad?
Try researching in the combined classifieds of the two leading newspapers in a very large area around Seattle:
Seattle area jobs, employment advice and information | NWjobs

Or any/ everything anyone who reads and answers this thread can think of? I accept all answers
No reply possible; entire libraries are built from all that informtion.

Recommendation: Narrow down what you ask for -- because if you're not specific about what you want, you won't get it. And if it does wander near you, how will you recognize it if you didn't clarify it for yourself?

Have fun researching!

[Death Nickel]

Originally Posted by allforcats

Have fun researching!

Lol.. Not quite what I was looking for. But I said I accept all answers. Thanks for answering!

[Ira500]

Best and cheapest don't always go together in neighborhoods. Some of the neighborhoods that used to be considered cool and cheap are no longer cheap ( or cool) but within the city, I'd have to say Georgetown or Columbia City are two less expensive neighborhoods that are artsy, fun, and vibrant.

[Death Nickel]

Originally Posted by Ira500

Best and cheapest don't always go together in neighborhoods. Some of the neighborhoods that used to be considered cool and cheap are no longer cheap ( or cool) but within the city, I'd have to say Georgetown or Columbia City are two less expensive neighborhoods that are artsy, fun, and vibrant.

Cool thanks! I know times and things change frequently.. but it's a pretty good idea to know how things are now for when my future decision making process... I think I'll start hardcore (porn) searching sometime next year.

[Ambassador]

Originally Posted by Death Nickel

Lol.. Not quite what I was looking for. But I said I accept all answers. Thanks for answering!

Just checking: Did you notice she replied to you within the quote? Just so you don't think she simply replied have fun researching.

[Death Nickel]

Originally Posted by Ambassador

Just checking: Did you notice she replied to you within the quote? Just so you don't think she simply replied have fun researching.

I sure did notice.

[DawnR]

Death Nickel,

I'm from AZ and if you don't like the sun, you'll like it here. The summers are great and you actually have 4 seasons here. All in all the weather is temperate, especially compared to where you're from.

My step son moved here from AZ a few years ago to attend UW and he lives (rents) in the Ravenna area and loves it. He does room share with other students, though. I personally am not that familiar with the downtown area so I'll leave that to the other posters.

I agree with the second poster, a lot can change by the time you plan on moving up. My suggestion is to come up for vacation during the summer and poke around. You'll love getting out of the AZ heat, it's a great place to have fun and there's nothing better than doing your own research in person.

Good luck.

[Death Nickel]

Originally Posted by DawnR

Death Nickel,

I'm from AZ and if you don't like the sun, you'll like it here. The summers are great and you actually have 4 seasons here. All in all the weather is temperate, especially compared to where you're from.

My step son moved here from AZ a few years ago to attend UW and he lives (rents) in the Ravenna area and loves it. He does room share with other students, though. I personally am not that familiar with the downtown area so I'll leave that to the other posters.

I agree with the second poster, a lot can change by the time you plan on moving up. My suggestion is to come up for vacation during the summer and poke around. You'll love getting out of the AZ heat, it's a great place to have fun and there's nothing better than doing your own research in person.

Good luck.

Thanks... I'll be visiting sometime late this year and/or early next year (I feel like I just said this but I can't remember where)
And I NEED to get out of this heat! I'm from the east coast and I feel like I'm on fire when it's over 70 degrees outside.