A young couple moving to the Seattle area needs recommendations. (Vancouver: apartments, lease)

[Zeruda]

I'm sure you hear lots of these kinds of questions, but most of them seem to be slightly older couples with children.

I'm a 23 year old with a 25 year old husband. We have no kids and never will, and we have two pets. We want to live in an apartment or something similiar.

I'm from Canada and moved to be with my husband in Texas. Needless to say, we hate it here. With much research and time, I've come to believe I want to live somewhere around Seattle.

Can people please recommend suburbs/areas for a young couple who are mostly focused on things like public transport (around the area we'd be in, and to Seattle for recreation as I cannot drive) and low crime rate?

We don't require being close to downtown Seattle - we're going to grab jobs around wherever we are at first, so I suppose the job market in the immediate area is important, too. Entertainment is nice, but we'll be happy with some sidewalks and parks to walk the dog on, and going to the mall here and there! (And heading to downtown Seattle on the weekends for fun.)

As for the apartment we'd like, we're used to something about 600 square feet, but don't want to pay a ridiculous amount. We're hoping to start by getting a lease for around 1100 somewhere and then hopefully moving into something nicer as we start our lives over. (Moving up there from down here is quite a hike in price.) And yes, I realize 1100 for something 600 square feet is likely impossible, but I thought I'd mention it. We'll be doing all of our apartment findings via the internet and phone, as we can't afford to actually go up there in person and check things out.

I realize this is little to work on, but any recommendations will help to start our research in the right direction. Thanks!

[Hemlock140]

I'd look at Redmond, the areas near downtown, and Bear Creek. There are many near Redmond Town Center with shopping and trails within walking distance, and older ones rent for about $1,000 for a one bedroom.

[Zeruda]

Originally Posted by bisjoe

I'd look at Redmond, the areas near downtown, and Bear Creek. There are many near Redmond Town Center with shopping and trails within walking distance, and older ones rent for about $1,000 for a one bedroom.

Thank you very much for your reply! I'll look into those areas.

[Vinylly]

Usually the suburbs are where families with lots of children go. Seems you would be out of place in the 'burbs'. You should be looking for a place in town where most of the activity is.
If you have lived in Vancouver BC, you should feel right at home in Seattle. We have the same weather but Vancouver is a whole lot prettier, I would advise moving to Vancouver.

[tobester]

I agree with Vinylly - you're young - why would you want to live in suburbs? Live in Seattle - then there's no transportation problems and you're right in the middle of all the excitement.

[Inkpoe]

If you look on Craigslist, there is an ad for a 1bdrm apt in Belltown (the densest part of town) with it's own w/d for under 1100/mo. So your budget itself isn't an impossible task. The usual and popular suggestions do apply here: (Lower) Queen Anne, Capital Hill, Columbia City, Fremont, Wallingford, West Seattle, Ballard, Greenlake, et. c. These areas would have more constant public transit going on.

The further out, public transit is accessible but not at the rate of the DT and the inner suburbs. Eastside could work (that's where the best dog park in the world is at Marymoor). But also check out Burien, Renton, Shoreline, Lake City way area, Kenmore/Bothell as well. You'll definitely find something in your budget and these areas have buses going into DT.

[Zeruda]

I have considered right downtown Seattle, but searching hasn't shown me anything that I think we could afford. Of course, I haven't been searching for too long and maybe could hit that lucky spot yet. I'll try looking into Seattle itself, then.

Thank you for those area recommendations, I'll look into those and try craigslisting! I didn't think of using craigslist for this, oddly.

[seatownsonic]

Originally Posted by Zeruda

I'm sure you hear lots of these kinds of questions, but most of them seem to be slightly older couples with children.

I'm a 23 year old with a 25 year old husband. We have no kids and never will, and we have two pets. We want to live in an apartment or something similiar.

I'm from Canada and moved to be with my husband in Texas. Needless to say, we hate it here. With much research and time, I've come to believe I want to live somewhere around Seattle.

Can people please recommend suburbs/areas for a young couple who are mostly focused on things like public transport (around the area we'd be in, and to Seattle for recreation as I cannot drive) and low crime rate?

We don't require being close to downtown Seattle - we're going to grab jobs around wherever we are at first, so I suppose the job market in the immediate area is important, too. Entertainment is nice, but we'll be happy with some sidewalks and parks to walk the dog on, and going to the mall here and there! (And heading to downtown Seattle on the weekends for fun.)

As for the apartment we'd like, we're used to something about 600 square feet, but don't want to pay a ridiculous amount. We're hoping to start by getting a lease for around 1100 somewhere and then hopefully moving into something nicer as we start our lives over. (Moving up there from down here is quite a hike in price.) And yes, I realize 1100 for something 600 square feet is likely impossible, but I thought I'd mention it. We'll be doing all of our apartment findings via the internet and phone, as we can't afford to actually go up there in person and check things out.

I realize this is little to work on, but any recommendations will help to start our research in the right direction. Thanks!

if you want to live in the actual city the central district is prime, but seattle is actualy kind of small and thers lots of urban "citys" surounding it as for more urban aeras i recommend moving more of the north end of seattle/shoreline only because its newr and nicer and lower crime rate. we stil has stores and restaurnts and its still close to the city,

shoreline is nice and with some apartments ect and the the west side of shoreline is better because its closer to the richmond beach salt water park is a cool little beach with swimming fire pits and bbqs nd tables, incredible views of the mountains/ water/ sunsets/ and city lights at night time from there, boeing creek is a beautiful evergreen natural forest with good trails wher you can walk your dog to the fenced in dog park, also theres more parks throughout shoreline, theres also 10 mile inner urban trail that goes all the all the way though shoreline, king county metro goes al throughout shoreline and the city and is linked to community transit. you can take the bus anywhere prety much. also with the light rail they are building wil go through shoreline
shorelines inbetween 2 malls n and s and downtown has alot of shopping /bars/ clubs/places to discover/ interesting cool people seattle is very diverse

if you were gona have kids lol thers the shoreline school district is #1 and gives macbooks to middle/highschoolers and schools have ton of sprit ( this is my old school, shorewood
[url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7TI-AJi2O8]YouTube - Shorewood Lip Dub[/url])

your gonna love seattle i sware its the best we have EVERYTHING!!

[jangell]

Check out Metropolitan Tower, Seattle Wa ...I have some friends that live there and it is AWESOME!!! In fact as soon as my lease is up I'm planning on moving there!

[ijoe13]

My wife and I moved to Seattle about a year ago and live in an apartment in downtown. DM me for details or if you have any other questions I can help answer.

Joe