Availability of studio apartments near the downtown area? (Seattle: 2013, houses)

[tallahasseehero1]

I may be be moving to Seattle next fall. I am looking for a studio preferably for under $900 either in or somewhat close to the downtown area.

From my research it appears some cities have higher availability and more affordable studios than others. For example, I think Chicago has many great affordable studios while Boston does not.

I would like to live near an area with solid nightlife but that is not a must. I do need it to be somewhere near public transportation and somewhat close to UW law campus. I admittedly do not know too much about Seattle and how it is set up.

Thanks for your help.

[SitoUK]

It's somehow difficult to recommend an area without knowing anything about you, your lifestyle and your personal preferences, but Capitol Hill, which borders on Downtown, has very good nightlife, everything else you need and is easily walkable. It's also a much nicer area to live in than DT imho. You should be able to find a studio there for $900 in an older building, you can easily check on Craigslist.

[Kayela]

Capitol Hill++

It's dense, walkable, has great nightlife, transit is convenient, and it's full of funky shops, restaurants, art, coffee houses, etc. It's convenient to both DT and UW. It also has a decent number of studios and it shouldn't be too hard to find one for around $900. If you want it a little quieter, stay a bit north of Pike/Pine and a couple blocks E/W of Broadway. It'll still be plenty convenient, but easier to sleep.

I live DT and previously lived in Cap Hill. While DT is nice 'n all - it's a bit lacking in what I call day-to-day amenities and it also doesn't feel like much of a 'neighborhood'. It's a business district where some people also live. Cap Hill is a very vibrant and distinctive neighborhood with several thriving business areas.

[tallahasseehero1]

Originally Posted by SitoUK

It's somehow difficult to recommend an area without knowing anything about you, your lifestyle and your personal preferences, but Capitol Hill, which borders on Downtown, has very good nightlife, everything else you need and is easily walkable. It's also a much nicer area to live in than DT imho. You should be able to find a studio there for $900 in an older building, you can easily check on Craigslist.

Thats a good point I should have described myself. I am a 23 (will be 24 when I move) year old single male. I will be starting law school in the fall of 2013.

I wont have a car with me up there, only a bike. I do like to go out at night but I will be in law school so I will probably be going out a lot less. I would like to live in an area with a lot of other grad students and young professionals, though this is not mandatory for me. The most important thing is that I can live in a relatively safe area near public transportation.

[SitoUK]

Originally Posted by tallahasseehero1

Thats a good point I should have described myself. I am a 23 (will be 24 when I move) year old single male. I will be starting law school in the fall of 2013.

I wont have a car with me up there, only a bike. I do like to go out at night but I will be in law school so I will probably be going out a lot less. I would like to live in an area with a lot of other grad students and young professionals, though this is not mandatory for me. The most important thing is that I can live in a relatively safe area near public transportation.

Then CH fits you right I think. there'll be a lot of people in your age group, it's all a bit progressive with lots of hipster types around. Very well connected with public transport (for Seattle standards). You definitely don't need a car here but for the few occasions you do need one there are a lot of Zipcars available in the neighborhood. The only downside of living on the hill is that when you cycle somewhere else you always have to go back up the hill when you go home

[Apathizer]

You should have fairly decent options, but will find better value if you go just a bit outside downtown. I haven't shopped for apts in awhile, but $900 will probably get you a decent, but tiny studio. Cap Hill is generally good as long as you're east of Broadway; the area between downtown and Broadway is noisy and a bit sketchy.

Since I assume you'll be going to the UW, why not get a place near the school? The U-dist itself can be a bit pricey, and some areas are sketchy, but there are some nice quiet neighborhoods nearby: Montlake is nice (but options are probably limited), as is Wallingford and Fremont. I especially like Wallingford: It has good amenities, but doesn't feel as busy or crowded as Cap Hill (also, there aren't as many sketchy elements). While bus service isn't quite as convenient/frequent in Wallingford and Fremont, it's still very good.

While downtown has added more amenities over the last few years, as others have said, it does not really feel like a neighborhood. I agree, it's dominanted almost entirely by office buildings and a few upscale chain restaurants. Even though some people do live there, it's not very personable.

Good luck where ever you wind up.

[tallahasseehero1]

Originally Posted by Apathizer

You should have fairly decent options, but will find better value if you go just a bit outside downtown. I haven't shopped for apts in awhile, but $900 will probably get you a decent, but tiny studio. Cap Hill is generally good as long as you're east of Broadway; the area between downtown and Broadway is noisy and a bit sketchy.

Since I assume you'll be going to the UW, why not get a place near the school? The U-dist itself can be a bit pricey, and some areas are sketchy, but there are some nice quiet neighborhoods nearby: Montlake is nice (but options are probably limited), as is Wallingford and Fremont. I especially like Wallingford: It has good amenities, but doesn't feel as busy or crowded as Cap Hill (also, there aren't as many sketchy elements). While bus service isn't quite as convenient/frequent in Wallingford and Fremont, it's still very good.

While downtown has added more amenities over the last few years, as others have said, it does not really feel like a neighborhood. I agree, it's dominanted almost entirely by office buildings and a few upscale chain restaurants. Even though some people do live there, it's not very personable.

Good luck where ever you wind up.

Thanks I'll definitely take a look in those areas!!. As I said I am no expert on the layout of Seattle. Living close to school is definitely preferred, and I really need good access to public transportation.