What do you think of Kent Station? (Ghetto/Great/Okay?) (Seattle: affordable apartment, condos)

[rbkoreaus]

Okay so I have a job in Kent located at the Boeing Plant on S 212th St and West Valley Road. I've only been in Seattle for about a week now. I finish work anywhere from 2:30 to 3:30 on average when the traffic starts picking up. I do NOT want to commute more than 20 minutes at most per day if I can help it.

So I've been considering Kent Station for reasons of proximity to work, it seems to have most things I need within walking distance, and then there's the train I can take to downtown Seattle easily on the weekends if I needed. So my question is...

Is there anything I am seriously overlooking about this area? Are there other places (nearby) that you think would be better? Renton/Tukwila?

I basically just need the inside scoop from those of you who know the area well. I am early 20s, single, no children/pets, and like most things to be close to where I end up deciding to get an apartment. All suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

[BB_206]

You should be fine at Kent Station....I used to work down there and had a co-worker with a condo over by Kent Station, he moved from QA to Kent and liked it okay...

[tobester]

Does the train run on weekends? If not, the 150 bus gets you downtown too.

[rbkoreaus]

From QA really? I liked QA area, but too farrrrr. Must've been quite a change of lifestyle. Thanks for the feedback ^^

[southking500]

hello, I registered just to answer your question!
I lived for 4 years in downtown Kent near Kent station and I would not recommend this area. The main reason is the train noise. When I moved there I was of course aware that trains went through Kent but I had no idea how often. There are about 70 trains a day: mostly freight trains + Sound Transit and Amtrak. The train horns are extremely loud and can be heard for a mile or more, anywhere in downtown Kent you will be woken up by the noise at night. Even at 3 am you can get 3 or 4 trains an hour. Other than that downtown Kent is ok, yes it's a little "ghetto" especially at the transit center but I never had a problem.

[southking500]

p.s. I know about a nice, affordable apartment that's convenient to Kent Boeing. Email me for details.

[jinj]

Keep away from that area of Kent.

I have had my car broken into multiple times in the Boeing car lot too. But live there? noooo

[Inkpoe]

I would also suggest you look into other parts of Kent, maybe even Des Moines.

You would also have easy access from Seatac/Tukwila via Orillia rd., and while you're likely to find a decent deal for apartments the area is bit run-down. They also have apartments off Orillia rd, 42nd Ave So. and So. 212 PL-- which would give you easy access to work with minimal traffic.

[secret_squirrel]

Originally Posted by rbkoreaus

there's the train I can take to downtown Seattle easily on the weekends if I needed.

The trains don't run on weekends: Sound Transit: Sounder Commuter Rail Schedules

"Sounder weekday train schedules effective Monday, February 8, 2010

Sounder is a weekday commuter service, but will operate to events on select weekends, such as daytime Mariners games and Seahawks games."

Why not consider those apartments in Renton next to the Renton plant? They were originally built to be condos before the market tanked. That should fit your 20 minute goal, with close-in services.

[shadow25]

If you like have a car, I'd stay FAR away from Kent.

You gotta deal with train noise, and all the stupid ass street racers.