Teacher, moving to to Renton (low income, apartments, school district)

[rhogan]

Hello,

I am a single female, 25 years old hoping to take a job at Renton High School as a special education teacher. I have a few basic concerns:

How is the school as a workplace?
What should I know about living in Renton?
Where can I afford to live without sacrificing comfort on a 33K salary?

I would love to know about what RHS is like to work at. I would just appreciate any "words of wisdom" regarding my basic concerns about the move.

Thanks a ton!

[LongDawson]

I believe the entire school was rebuilt, and it's in excellent condition. Airplanes constantly fly over this school, as it's next to an airport. There is a beautiful tree-lined street in front. Renton Stadium is close to my heart, as I went to a rival school in the 1980s, and Renton Stadium was always the biggest and best place to watch a game. It's no longer the biggest or best, because it's the same as it always was, and newer schools have better facilities, but Renton Stadium is still one of the greats. There are a lot of nice places to live right within walking distance of the high school. All around Morris Ave, which is just south of the school, there are little places to rent. That would be my first choice.

You will like Renton. I think the new apartments near the "Renton Landing" (look that up) are nice, if you decide to live a bit farther from the school. They are called Sanctuary, but they might be expensive. Probably reasonable due to the economy. From these apartments you have access to all kinds of amenities including Coulon Park. Don't let anyone tell you Renton is a bad place to live. You're in for a nice move, if you get the job. I have no idea about politics at Renton High School, but I know it's not a run down dump. It's a proud, beautiful old brick building. Good luck.

[rhogan]

Thanks so much LongDawson, that's quite an encouraging response. I'm even getting a little giddy about it :-)

[Ira500]

The good, the bad, and the ugly about Renton High school. ( well, not much ugly, it's an awesome building)...The good? Great facility, and the school has heart. I was talking to a guidance counselor there a few months ago, and she was really proud of the school. It's considered the worst of the Renton high schools, and has a larger percentage of low income and minority students. If you're from Cleveland or Compton or Newark, it'll seem like a middle class suburb. If you're from Whitebread, North Dakota you might be in for a shock...and I'll agree that living within walking ditance of the school is a fine idea...There are some parts of downtown Renton that are not as nice as other parts, but downtown Renton has improved a lot in recent years, and there will be great places to dine at or have an after work beer...Other than downtown Renton, up the hill in Bryn Mawr and Lakeridge, and the edges of Skyway offer affordable and pleasant places to live.

[rhogan]

Overall, I'm hearing positive things about Renton. Moving from Carson City, NV, I'm slightly concerned about the "urban" atmosphere at RHS. Yet, I hope that's something that I could learn from and learn to love. I appreciate all of the feedback and the little details like areas to look for places and such, very helpful. I will look into those things when I come up next week.

Thanks a ton guys!

[MichaelinWA]

I saw a brief mention in a newspaper article not long ago about the "affordable units" at this project:

Liberty Square; Renton, Washington; Urban Living at its Finest

I don't know anything about them, though. Perhaps someone else does. The article said that one of the city's objectives in supporting the project was to help provide housing for retail workers at the Landing.

[rhogan]

I have another question. How is the socioeconomic status in this area? Is there a lot of gang activity throughout the school and the surrounding community?Though I am coming from Carson City, NV< a fairly small town; gang issues were very present in the school and the community. What should I expect in Renton?

[Ira500]

I'd say the socioeconomic status of the area is mixed. According to the guidance counselor I spoke to, gang members attend the school, and come down from nearby Skyway( Skyway is in the Renton school district and Renton High is Skyway's assigned school,, but the school is safe and "neutral ground".....
The area immediately around the high school is okay. I guess gang issues are more present in the nearby community than in the school itself, but Downtown Renton is really more like a slightly rundown small town downtown than scary urban place. Downtown Renton's not big, is friendly, and has good eateries, drinkeries, and awesome frozen yogurt. Not very scary.