california to seattle (lake forest park area) (Edmonds, Bothell: apartments, to rent)

[tiffanylove]

i'm a high school student from the central coast california. i'm graduating this year & i'm seriously considering moving to seattle for college. i'll most likely be living in the lake forest park area (i love it there) & i was just wondering how difficult it would be to rent a nice-ish apartment there for not too much money. also, how hard is to find a job? i mean at like a coffee shop or something. i need to have enough money to pay my own rent, & not too much hours so i can still go to school.
also, i've been to washington & i love it, but what's it like to live there? how difficult is it gonna be to adjust? i'm from a pretty small beach city, & washington is a little different from that...

[Idunn]

Since you love the Lake Forest Park area, then surely some appreciation in which ways different from the central California coast. Particularly during the many long months of dark winter when the sun so seldom seen. Lake Forest Park itself will not help this equation much, as it is otherwise beautiful with so many large trees.

My impression of this community is one comprised of single family, upper-middle class residences. The few apartments appear to be on the periphery, such as in or near Mountlake Terrace, or elsewhere. The few other multi-unit dwellings are more usually condos. Rent will be on the high side, as it tends to be throughout the Seattle region. In more selection, you might also try west of I-5, towards Edmonds.

My guess employment, in this economy, not all that easy, but theoretically possible. If Lake Forest Park, their central shopping area is near Lake Washington, at the intersection of Ballinger Way NE and NE Bothell Way (WA 104 and WA 522). There is a conventional grocery story, and a variety of shops, such as Third Place Books. There are also a variety of businesses at the far end of Ballinger Way, near I-5. Otherwise, from Lake Washington one might head northeast towards Kenmore, or south towards Seattle.

Lake Forest Park and environs are not Seattle, yet coming from a smaller community one may feel overwhelmed. This is all one large metro area that seemingly extends forever. The illusion is lessoned to the extent there are trees lending a sense of intimacy and privacy, and thankfully a lot of them. But still a lot of people, businesses and houses, on and on.

Of all the many choices in the region, Lake Forest Park is one of the nicer neighborhoods. But at a price you'll pay for in various ways. Love does conquer all, if it true.