Best neighborhoods and apartments (Seattle, Tacoma: rental, condos, crime)

[xz2y]

What are the best neighborhoods near downtown Seattle for renting? I am a single, older woman in 50's. Affordability and safety are primary concerns.

[jabm67]

"Near downtown" and "affordable and safe" are almost mutually exclusive qualities, unfortunately. There are things in Belltown just north of downtown but I have the impression that they are pricey. There are things on the shoulder of First Hill and Capitol Hill just east of I-5; there are contradictory posts on this forum about the safety of that area, and I don't know what the prices are. Lower Queen Anne may be an area to look at.

A huge number of apartments in the city have been turned into condos in the last year or so, so if you're looking for a rental situation rather than a purchase, your options are far fewer than was the case just two years ago.

[CityGirl72]

WHat price is "affordable"?

And how close to downtown do you want to be? Affordable and safety will be farther away from Downtown. Queen Anne is nice - but it's not quite affordable, but it is nice

[Embraer]

I live in Belltown, walking distance to downtown.

I'm not sure what you consider affordable, a price range you are looking for would help us point you in the right direction.

Most apartments in my building range from 900 for a studio to over 1500 a month for multiple room units. However the location is great, the bulding is beautiful and packed full of amenities, and the views you will have are outstanding.

I remember seeing many apartments for rent in Magnolia, Queen Anne, and other surrounding neighborhoods for 700 and 800 a month which is cheap for this area. All one bedrooms but I think I saw a couple that were 2 bedrooms.

[jwb123]

Unless prices have dropped significantly (and that could have happened) I rented in Magnolia and paid $1100 a month for a one bedroom with a den. That was in 2000.

I am assuming you aren't moving with children, nor have a concern for school districts.

"Affordable" to me would be Central District - and you will be safe in most place within Seattle as long as you don't go south. CD is a vibrant, ever-changing, revitalized area. My inlaws live there (and have for over 8 years) and they have not had any problems. It's a really nice little community. You have close access to the lake, UW, Madison Park, downtown and Capital Hill. As well as Swedish - which is an excellent hospital.

Ranier Valley, while affordable, would be as south as I would go if I were living alone. It's spotty. Some areas are nice, and charming (my midwife was there) and others are really not where you want to be.

[jwb123]

Ranier Valley, while affordable, would be as south as I would go if I were living alone. It's spotty. Some areas are nice, and charming (my midwife was there) and others are really not where you want to be.

I just remembered, I think, the neighborhood area I am talking about here as worth checking out "Columbia City"

Columbia City, Seattle

Columbia City, Seattle, Washington - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[martina26]

The downtown regions of all major cities are generally filled with crime and other seedy activity. If you want to be affordable and safe, head to the 'burbs and stay away from downtown.

[Embraer]

Martina, while that may be true of many downtowns across the country that is not so much the case with Seattle.

Seattle is actually an abnormally safe big city. I live in the downtown area and walk/drive all over. I have never felt unsafe in any way. I see women walking in downtown by themselves all the time. As far as large cities in the US, Seattle is as safe as it gets.

With that said, it is a large city no less. You always need to watch where you go and what you do. There are sections of downtown Seattle which are populated here and there by homeless people who look shady. They are for the most part harmless, but never the less care should be taken when crossing these areas.

There is crime in downtown Seattle, don't get me wrong. Its just not so bad that you would want to avoid the area. Realtively speaking it is still safe, particularly for a large city's downtown. Downtown Dallas, as a comparison, was so bad that I refused to drive my car there at night. Many people were the same way. Parking garages in downtown Dallas clean up at nights because nobody wants to park their cars on the streets. Car robberies, assault, and other crimes were common in Dallas. Here in Seattle that kind of stuff is not something that needs to be worried about.

Other than that crime doesn't even become an issue until you get south of SEATAC. The downtown area is actually a very nice place to live. Another nice alternative would be Capitol Hill, Magnolia, and Queen Anne. All locations near downtown but not "inside" downtown.

[jwb123]

The downtown regions of all major cities are generally filled with crime and other seedy activity. If you want to be affordable and safe, head to the 'burbs and stay away from downtown.

Totally NOT true, by any stretch of the imagination. We aren't talking Tacoma... it's Seattle. There are a few sticky areas (White Center, parts of Ranier Valley and anything South of Seattle "can" be spotty).

I have lived in Cap Hill, Magnolia and my inlaws live in CD. It's been fine.

[pwright1]

Originally Posted by martina26

The downtown regions of all major cities are generally filled with crime and other seedy activity. If you want to be affordable and safe, head to the 'burbs and stay away from downtown.

You have got to be kidding!! Where on earth do you live? In a tent out in the woods?