Another moving to Seattle.. (Renton, Olympia: apartments, leasing, neighborhood)

[-james.]

First off, just want to say hello to everyone here on the forums. My name is James and I've lived in various parts of WA including the Puget Sound (Orcas), Olympia, but most of the time in Anacortes, but I honestly have spent VERY little time in Seattle. For the past 2 years I have been here in Panama working with some family for the experience. While it's an experience and has it's pro's...I just miss the NW and am ready to move back, and plan to in early April of 2010.

I have been searching on Craigslist for 2 bedroom apartments (I have a roommate situation planned already), and it seems like the closest I can get to Seattle for under $1,000 is Northgate. The 2 bedrooms I have seen in the downtown area don't look very nice or are very small. I plan on using public transportation also.

Is Northgate where my realistic focus should be for apartments if I am working downtown?

Thanks in advance...

[Ira500]

You might want to consider Beacon Hill, Columbia City, Georgetown, Bryn Mawr,parts of Skyway,Lake City,and parts of downtown Renton or Burien are maybe just a little further than Northgate.

[Inkpoe]

You could also consider Seatac, Tukwila (use the light rail to get to downtown)

[UnusualSuspect]

Northgate is fine. I lived there (Pinehurst) and I'd do it again. With the transit center right next to the mall, you would have no trouble getting downtown; bus #41 goes from Northgate to downtown and back all day, every day.

[-james.]

Great, thanks everyone for your replies...I'll check into those other areas Ira. UnusualSuspect, thanks for giving Northgate some positive feedback now I don't feel sketchy about that place.

Another question- Since I won't have a job the day that I step foot in Seattle, will this affect my ability to lease an apartment? Does anyone have experience with something like this? I could pay for a few months of the lease in advance if that would help, but I would rather not put that kind of a dent into my savings that quickly. Any advice? Again, thanks in advance!

[HuskyDawg]

Check out West Seattle. We're the forgotten neighborhood because we're across the bay.

[Inkpoe]

Originally Posted by -james.

Great, thanks everyone for your replies...I'll check into those other areas Ira. UnusualSuspect, thanks for giving Northgate some positive feedback now I don't feel sketchy about that place.

Another question- Since I won't have a job the day that I step foot in Seattle, will this affect my ability to lease an apartment? Does anyone have experience with something like this? I could pay for a few months of the lease in advance if that would help, but I would rather not put that kind of a dent into my savings that quickly. Any advice? Again, thanks in advance!

That's something you'll have to consult with the Leasing office-- I would think outside of Seattle DT they would be a little more lenient. Its not like Las Vegas, where if you don't have a job they expect triple the deposit.

[ptfcNassoc]

I'm actually about to move to Seattle in the next 6 months and I have already done research on several apartments. And previously I was running into the same problem, I was going to be unemployeed but have enough money saved up to live there for several months if not the entire year. Though now I now longer have that problem. But anywho, I asked them can I just prove I have the dough through my financial statements and bank statements that I can take care of rent. And the answers were yes. At worst they may make you pay for a few months at a time (i guess this way they have there as.sses covered and have enough time to kick you out and get someone else in).

[JesseJB]

JAMES! Whats up, man?Beacon Hill, Columbia City, Georgetown. I forgot those.