Good places for a first apartment in W. Washington? (Seattle: apartments, rentals)

[CrystalGazer94]

I've begun to look for places to move once I turn 18, I currently live with my mother in the Mukilteo/Everett area and am looking for a less expensive place to rent in a good/decent location that has employment opportunities.

Things about me:
-I will only be making approx. minimum wage (which is now $8.67/hour)
-I am planning on getting at least one roommate, who most likely will also only be making approx. minimum wage.
-At the moment I do not posses a car, so (in the beginning at least) good public transit is important.
-I don't mind smaller communities as long as shopping and entertainment are easily accessible either by public transit or car.
-I don't have any real preference as to which industry I work in (fast-food, retail, restaurant, service, etc.)

Any sort of suggestions are welcome! Thank you guys so much!

[NW Crow]

If you want to be closer to Seattle and the Eastside, maybe look around Alderwood Manor. Should be a good bit cheaper on rent than Mukilteo. Probably close to the same as Everett, maybe a little less. There will be some range of desirability / pricing on apartments so you probably could find something reasonably affordable when split 2 ways.

If you want other options maybe look at the Olympia area. Good bus system, lots of young people sharing apartments and houses.

Vancouver WA would be probably be more challenging but it is a possibility.

[Andy]

Olympia/Lacey may fit the bill. Cheaper rents, adequate to decent transit, and plenty of retail and restaurant opportunities, has a community college, two universities, and plenty of entertainment opportunities.

[CrystalGazer94]

I've started looking into the Lacey area and was wondering about the other places within about 20 miles - so that I have a wider selection of rentals and potential roommates. What're the towns/neighborhoods surrounding Lacey like (i.e. Anderson Island, Dupont, Ft. Lewis, Tenino, Longbranch, etc.)? I really don't have any experience with the SWern part of Washington, so any info is really appreciated!

[Andy]

Anderson Island is only accessible via a ferry from Steilacoom. It's best for retirees or vacation homes.

DuPont is a predominantly new city. Its commercial core is completely new as is most of its housing. Intel and State Farm have big operations there. Until recently folks from Dupont had to go to Lacey or Lakewood to shop.

Tenino is rural. The town itself is cute, but small.

Longbranch is also rural and far from job centers.

Olympia, Lacey, Tumwater are all urban/suburban with rural fringes. There is affordable housing and jobs throughout the area. I'd focus on these three. There is roughly 200,000 people between the three, so there are more housing options, services, and entertainment.

[CrystalGazer94]

Are there any specific areas in Lacey, Olympia or Tumwater that should be avoided due to crime or anything?

[Andy]

Originally Posted by CrystalGazer94

Are there any specific areas in Lacey, Olympia or Tumwater that should be avoided due to crime or anything?

The area is pretty safe. There aren't any areas that need to be totally avoided, just a few crappy trailer parks or apartments I wouldn't recommend. A drive through usually will tell you what you need to know.

New and old, expensive and cheap are scattered throughout the area. Just find a part of town that fits you and start from there. If you like more rural, and more young people, check out the apartments near Evergreen. If you like suburban/shopping mall, then West Olympia or parts of Lacey would be best bet. If you like an active urban scene, try to be close to downtown Olympia.