Got Job In Auburn...Where should I rent? (Seattle, Tacoma: apartments, rentals)

[ajgolfs]

I just accepted a job in Auburn. My wife and child are looking for a nice town with a small commute, safe, and cheap. I know that is a lot to ask for. Any ideas?

[AzDreamer]

There's nothing wrong with Auburn, our governor was born there.

[Urban Hiker]

I agree. I'd stay right in the Auburn area. You have easy access to either or Seattle or Tacoma from there as well as hiking areas along hwy 18.

[pw72]

Auburn has plenty of rentals, but you'll most likely find an even better selection in Kent, up the Valley Freeway.

[Heiwos]

Stay in Auburn and enjoy no commute.

[bigtrees]

I live in Auburn currently and can give you some information. First question for you - are you looking for a house or an apartment? I don't know anything about apartments. Second, do you want to live in the city or the country? If you like the country, I'd look for rentals in the 98092 zip code. It's rural, very pretty, and very safe. If you like city subdivisions, you can take a look at the subdivisions just north of Lake Tapps - they are a bunch of new homes there and I'm sure more than a few are for rent.

"No commute" is not exactly right in Auburn. It can take a long time to drive across town but you generally won't have a massive traffic jam which is nice.

[ajgolfs]

Awesome! Thanks for all of the replies I'm looking to just rent for now. And as far as country vs city... whatever is cheaper. Am I able to find a 3bd/2bth for $1,000? If its a lot cheaper, we could make a 2bd/2bth work. And I hear Federal Way and Kent have a lot of crime? Any insight?

[nlke182]

According to the crime stats on this site Federal Way is safer than Auburn and Kent.

[bigtrees]

I wouldn't put too much stock into the crime stats of one area compared to another except as in a very general way.

Kent, Federal Way, and Auburn are all not crime free by a long stretch. Still, I consider them to be much safer than many parts of the greater Seattle area. For example, I feel safe walking around downtown Auburn anytime while I absolutely hate walking around after dark downtown Seattle. I feel my car is a sitting duck in North Seattle. And many other parts of the region I don't care for.

If you live in an apartment, you car will be a sitting duck so be careful about that. If you live in a rental house, you can find pockets of good and pockets of bad, so check them out carefully. Country is very safe in Auburn but harder for commuting.