The last bastions of affordability in Puget Sound fading (Seattle: real estate market, rent)

[Flightoficarus87]

Although I usually post in the Seattle forums, these two articles have caught my attention...

Report: City of Tacoma now has highest rent price hikes in the region | KOMO

And...

(Bremerton's Real Estate Market Heating Up)
https://www.google.com/amp/s/q13fox....eating-up/amp/

Something tells me there isn't much time before we start seeing some pretty crazy prices in the south sound and peninsula (relative to what we're used to seeing here).

[Hemlock140]

I am surprised at home many co-workers live in places like Bremerton, Puyallup, Bonney Lake, and commute to Seattle. They are in the $70k-$120k pay range and can’t afford homes closer in on that. I also see a lot of Seattle workers catching the afternoon bus to Tacoma, Lakewood and Olympia, or north to Lynnwood.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

I am surprised at home many co-workers live in places like Bremerton, Puyallup, Bonney Lake, and commute to Seattle. They are in the $70k-$120k pay range and can’t afford homes closer in on that. I also see a lot of Seattle workers catching the afternoon bus to Tacoma, Lakewood and Olympia, or north to Lynnwood.

Those commutes sound painful!!

[Flightoficarus87]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

Those commutes sound painful!!

Lynnwood will improve before the others, as it will get light rail before them.

An express bus from DT Tacoma to DT Seattle is pushing it, but can work well for people who don't have to commute every day.

Lakewood and Olympia tough...yeah, there's no sugarcoating it - those are already brutal commutes, and will continue to be so.

[Haakon]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

I am surprised at home many co-workers live in places like Bremerton, Puyallup, Bonney Lake, and commute to Seattle. They are in the $70k-$120k pay range and can’t afford homes closer in on that. I also see a lot of Seattle workers catching the afternoon bus to Tacoma, Lakewood and Olympia, or north to Lynnwood.

They come from the north too, we have people coming in from Granite Falls and Lake Stevens because it's so much cheaper to live there. And yes, they say the commute sucks, but for them it's worth it.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

I am surprised at home many co-workers live in places like Bremerton, Puyallup, Bonney Lake, and commute to Seattle. They are in the $70k-$120k pay range and can’t afford homes closer in on that. I also see a lot of Seattle workers catching the afternoon bus to Tacoma, Lakewood and Olympia, or north to Lynnwood.

Lynnwood isn't that far north of Seattle. The commute doesn't compare to those other places.

[CapitalBat]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

Lynnwood isn't that far north of Seattle. The commute doesn't compare to those other places.

This is true. Even in heavy traffic it’s no more than an hour to get downtown from Lynnwood. Exceptions for five hour closures and whatnot.

[elkotronics]

This is true. Even in heavy traffic it’s no more than an hour to get downtown from Lynnwood. Exceptions for five hour closures and whatnot.

Yep - having grown up in Edmonds I can vouch for it's commute time - though it's a longer time these days than back in the day when I grew up in Edmonds. I used ta be able ta catch a few open spots on I-5 and the cruise went faster. Also, on Highway 99 one could hit the lights on green and make it back to Edmonds in what seemed like 20 minutes instead of 50-60 minutes. It probably took longer than 20 minutes - it was 30 minutes at best. The distance is only 15 miles between those towns.

The freeway volumes have just increased so much over the decades.

[udidwht]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

Those commutes sound painful!!

Nothing compared to a commute in Los Angeles area.

[dtuba]

I'm one of those Seattle workers who bought in Tacoma. But I did it because my spouse got a job in Olympia and she was commuting from Shoreline every day. That's a nightmare commute. Anyway, my commute to Seattle isn't too bad because I don't work 9 to 5. On the rare days that I do, the 590 bus from the Dome is convenient and even comfortable.

It can be done if you have a non-traditional work schedule.