Affordable Areas? (Seattle, Tacoma, Everett: real estate, apartment, rent)

[heatherfitz]

I'm thinking of moving to the Seattle area from Arkansas. The only thing is, real estate is a bit cheaper here than there (we're talking $475 a month for a 2 bedroom apartment). What are some areas around the Seattle area that are affordable, but not so cheap I'd have to be afraid of getting shanked walking to my car?

Thanks! =)

[SeattlitefromNC]

Define "affordable".

What I mean is, there are places in the area that will cost less, and are probably less crime-ridden than most places in Arkansas. However, I'll tell you right now that a 2 bedroom is not about to cost $500 here. Try twice that, for starters.

If you can swing that, then look at places in Everett, Lynnwood, Tacoma, and Olympia.

[Ira500]

Arkansas does have particularly low housing costs, and insanely low property taxes.
To add to the above poster's list, also include Renton, Tukwila, Kent, Burien, Skyway, and Auburn as more affordable than most around here, and you're not likely to get shanked in any of those areas.

[spinfast]

There are lots of places to consider. I'd recommend looking through Craigslist Seattle to get an idea of rent in different neighborhoods. I wish it were $500/month here...

[Backstrom]

In Seattle proper, rents start at 700-800 for a small studio, 1000+ for 1 br, and go from there. You might want to look in the aforementioned cities (what were once industrial towns with blue-collar workforces that have now experienced rapid burgeoning and urbanization) and choose a location close to a transit corridor.

[jenlion]

Heather, what part of Arkansas are you coming from? I lived there for a few years awhile back and I can try to draw comparisons for you, if we're familiar with the same areas.

[WordWarrior]

Originally Posted by Backstrom

In Seattle proper, rents start at 700-800 for a small studio, 1000+ for 1 br, and go from there. You might want to look in the aforementioned cities (what were once industrial towns with blue-collar workforces that have now experienced rapid burgeoning and urbanization) and choose a location close to a transit corridor.

At the risk of sounding like a hick. Can someone define "studio" for me. I'm envisioning one room with art supplies scattered about. Here, we have one or two bedrooms or a loft.

[JTomajko]

Studio just means there are no bedrooms. Its like a living room kitchen and bathroom. That is it. So you put ur bed in the living room. I am too moving to seattle. A college grad. for architecture and I will be moving into a studio apt.

[ElektroDragon]

I would honestly look in north Bothell and Lynnwood areas, rather than the south. Ira may have confidence in all the southern areas he listed, but I prefer the north. The south I tend to associate with gang activity.

[Waianaegirl]

Originally Posted by ElektroDragon

I would honestly look in north Bothell and Lynnwood areas, rather than the south. Ira may have confidence in all the southern areas he listed, but I prefer the north. The south I tend to associate with gang activity.

IMO Tacoma is one big ghetto. I would steer clear of it. Lynnwood, is not that great, and Olympia is just plain boring!