Can I Pull This Off in 1 1/2 Years? (Seattle, Olympia: apartment, for rent)

[RoboNell]

Hi all. Currently I am a student and I just moved back to Arizona (Tucson, to be specific) to finish college. I just moved back home from the PNW (Olympia) because in the long run, I would have a better time paying $8, 000 for in-state tuition, working two jobs and paying cheap rent here than paying $17, 000 for out-of-state tuition, working one part-time job and paying more for rent in Washington. With my two jobs and excess financial aid, I am stashing my money away so I can get the hell out of this ultra conservative, zero-tolerance state. I have been to Seattle multiple times each season (I know the weather) and I have friends in both Oly and Seattle.

Right now I am trying to figure how long I will be able to survive in Seattle before I find a job, if I were to move there. I only have 3K right now (I still have 1 1/2 year to save and look for work). I have a friend pays over $1, 000 for his small 1 bedroom apartment on Capital Hill (is he paying too much?) so this makes me a lilttle nervous. A friend that lives in Oly wants to move to Seattle, and we have discussed rooming together as a way to cut costs (nothing has been set in stone). Are there cheaper neighborhoods to live that are accessible by public transportation? I don't like driving and I don't want a car, so public transportation and walkablity are important. I live on the bare minimum, so I'm not looking for anything fancy. I currently share a small 1 bedroom with a stranger just to save money so I have no problem with less than ideal living situations. Does any have an opinion on Central District (rental rates, safety, transportation, etc.)? I would even consider moving back to Oly, but I had a really hard time finding a job before I left.

This is a little random, but after I graduate I want to work for a non-profit orginaization or for any company providing services for domestic violence and sexual assault victims and/or homeless youth. Does anyone have any information on the prevelance of work in this field in Seattle? Does anyone know where I could hunt down such information?

Thank you for any help/advice.

[Inkpoe]

Wow... unless your friend has some uber-posh place, your friend is paying a little too much. My friend has 1bdr apt where she pays like 725 a month. If using public transportation is the thing, it's best to live close to DT Seattle area or live along the lines of the Light rail which extends to the aiport (Seatac/Tukwila). With a roomy, it'll definitely help.

There is a thread where someone ask if 6K would be enough to make it in Seattle... and people chimed in their experience, you should check it out. //www.city-data.com/forum/seatt...00-no-job.html ( I think the OP also came back to update his status and he was doing well.)