How about Auburn? (Seattle, Tacoma, Kent: apartment, rentals, house) - Washington (WA) -Seattle and King County Suburbs - City-Data Forum

Jennybean75 · 03-05-2013, 06:25 PM

I've gotten such helpful responses to my questions about Burien, Renton and Issaquah. I'll pose the same question about Auburn.

I want to move to the Seattle area and would love more information. From my research I can tell that Seattle proper is out of reach financially for the time being, but I'd like to stay close to the city. I love oldtown/downtown areas, being near or on the water, hiking, farmer's markets and street fairs. Would Auburn be a good fit? Any other suggestions?

Oh! and of those 4 cities, which are the most walkable?
Thanks!

Hemlock140 · 03-05-2013, 08:29 PM

Auburn is not close to the city, at least not to Seattle. Auburn has a real mix, from nice newer suburban neighborhoods to sketchy neighborhoods with small, old homes with old cars on the front lawn. It also has a huge mall, big office complexes, and several active railroad lines. Of those I would consider Burien the most walkable, Issaquah second. Issaquah has a great farmer's market May-September, we go every Saturday. There is also a state park with a beach on the lake, about every store you will need, and a great "street fair" in October, called Salmon Days.

mkarch · 03-05-2013, 08:38 PM

What is your budget that you're considering being that far out? I can think of 3 reasons to consider Auburn.

1) You work there
2) You were born there and don't want to leave your family
3) You have 17 children and it's the only place you can afford a house large enough that is close to a freeway

Ira500 · 03-05-2013, 09:13 PM

Oh, I don't know. Auburn isn't THAT bad. It does have the Sounder commuter train into DT Seattle. And there's still a little bit of farmland. And the views of Mt. RainIer are great when the sun is out. But my impression is that a larger proportion of Auburn is poverty stricken compared to Renton, Burien, or Issaquah. And that the nicest parts of Auburn aren't as nice as the nicest parts of the other three. There are more run down areas in Auburn. But it does have a horse racing track and a big casino.

Freedom_Seeker · 03-05-2013, 09:50 PM

There is a great variety of activities to do in and around Auburn. I have been a resident of 98092 for 2 years and am very happy there. Lea Hill and East Auburn (Lake Holms area) are nice areas but more rual. Yes, downtown areas there are more run down places but over all it has a small town vibe to it that you don't get from Kent, Renton, and Burien. Flaming Geyser State Park not too far away for a ride out to the country or fishing on the green river. 20 min drive to Tacoma. 45 min to Seattle. Costco in Covington and Federal way, no challenges in shopping variety, Sams club, super mall, etc. It is an excellent location in my opinion comparing to other cities near by and they do have the Sounder train station as mentioned too which is an added bonus. Best of luck to you in your research and if I can answer anything Auburn specific let me know.

Jennybean75 · 03-05-2013, 11:24 PM

I thought I read somewhere that Auburn was closer to Seattle, so that's a little disappointment. But! I don't actually have to be near the city, it's just a preference. Work is not a factor at this point and if it becomes so I'm in the medical field so I'll find something anywhere. I have under $1000 to spend for a 2 bedroom (I know, pretty tight). The more I hear the more I think I'll like Burien best. I just don't want to end up at the top of my budget for the worst rentals in town. I have looked online and it seems like my budget doesn't buy as many choices in Burien. I was hoping Auburn would give me more, but I'm hearing pretty mixed reactions. If I do decide to try Auburn are there areas that are actually unsafe? Or just run-down?

Freedom_Seeker · 03-06-2013, 12:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jennybean75

I thought I read somewhere that Auburn was closer to Seattle, so that's a little disappointment. But! I don't actually have to be near the city, it's just a preference. Work is not a factor at this point and if it becomes so I'm in the medical field so I'll find something anywhere. I have under $1000 to spend for a 2 bedroom (I know, pretty tight). The more I hear the more I think I'll like Burien best. I just don't want to end up at the top of my budget for the worst rentals in town. I have looked online and it seems like my budget doesn't buy as many choices in Burien. I was hoping Auburn would give me more, but I'm hearing pretty mixed reactions. If I do decide to try Auburn are there areas that are actually unsafe? Or just run-down?

I would avoid the downtown areas north and south of Auburn and look into Lea Hill. Green River Community College is also there. Lakeland on the westside is another area to look into.

Jennybean75 · 03-06-2013, 09:58 AM

Thanks everyone, that helps

Bimmerfanboy · 03-07-2013, 04:46 AM

Auburn is not a great place and is a bit further from Seattle than the other cities mentioned. If you have kids and are interested in sending them to good schools, this is not the place.
I am a resident of Issaquah and it's not a cheap area. Most homes here are pretty expensive but there are a lot of new town homes build built. It's really nothing like the other three towns mentioned. The schools here are excellent and among the top rated in the state. There is not as much cultural diversity here as some of those other towns. It's pretty much all whites and asians, with lots of Indian people moving in lately as well.

peateargryphon · 03-07-2013, 09:32 AM

If you are looking as far away from Seattle as Auburn, I would suggest North Tacoma.

You can easily find a two bedroom house or apartment for 1000, give or take, depending on the area. It's got a great downtown for the size of the city. A very nice city food co-op, plenty of excellent restaurants downtown and on the 6 Ave strip. A 702-acre city park, Point Defiance (w/ zoo & aquarium as well). There's a nice smaller park downtown with a conservatory as well. Tacoma is the most art gallery/per capita dense city in all of Washington. Several farmers markets go regularly in a few locations throughout the city. We recently moved to Tacoma from downtown Seattle and are continually surprised with how friendly the people are compared to inner city Seattle. It is a great place to live and amazingly affordable.

South Tacoma has a bad reputation, which I believe is why the city is incorrectly lumped into that classification by some Seattlites. North Tacoma has some beautiful areas and is nothing like what some people I talked to claimed it to be. I have not been to South Tacoma, so I cannot comment on that, but I'm sure there are bad areas just as there are in any city. I just know from years in the North Tacoma area that it has a lot to offer at a fraction of the price of Seattle. I did enjoy being in Seattle, but I think, overall, I enjoy Tacoma more. And, certainly, it is far far better value (price of living vs quality).

P.S.
I work from home as a programmer and my girlfriend is an artist so we have the freedom to live anywhere and still choose Tacoma.