Is is just me, or has the puget sound become a cesspool? (Seattle: lower-class, section 8)

[Tac-Sea]

It seems like wherever I move, there is always a ghetto vibe of one level or another. I moved from Tacoma to Auburn and am not sure which is worse, but both seem pretty bad. Either I am buying in the wrong neighborhoods or there isn't much seperation between where I am buying and where the pockets of ghetto are.

It seems that things that I value, such as reasonable proximity to public transportation, jobs, etc. are also valued by other people who although they can't afford to buy a house in my area, they certainly can pool their hourly wages with the hourly wages of 10 of their closest friends and rent a house next door to me.

So what is one to do? Buy acres of land with a house, and if so, where? Or should I just look at moving to more exclusive communities that are not as close to conveniences, etc.

Is there a minimum ammount one must spend to not live in a ghetto area? Is it necessary to buy a 500K house in Kirkland to be able to walk your dog down the street without feeling like you might run into trouble?

Or am I just thin skinned?

[NWbyNW]

Honestly, I'm not sure what your definition of a ghetto is, as the northwest does not have a true ghetto. Our bad pockets are laughable to people on the east coast, south, midwest, and southern California. We have undesirable areas, yes, but nothing truly horrid.

But it is often common knowledge that most areas south of Seattle are less desirable then areas to the north. This includes Renton, Kent, Auburn, Puyallup, Tacoma, Lakewood, etc, etc. They are never high on people's lists to move too. Central Sound and the North Sound are more sought after. South is seen as less desirable, and maybe that is simply because people feel that working class, blue collar neighborhoods are less pleasing. It varies for everyone.

Calling the Puget Sound a "Cesspool" couldn't be further from the truth though. You must have very high standards.

[Hemlock140]

Both Tacoma and Auburn have some sketchy areas, but also some beautiful, peaceful and safe areas. Cesspool is a strong term, and doesn't really apply to anywhere in the region, but if you want to be able to walk feel totally safe walking the dog at night expect to be paying close to or more than $500k in any city. There are reasons why some areas cost more than others.

[waviking24]

Lol @ ghetto in western washington

[Andy]

Originally Posted by Tac-Sea

It seems that things that I value, such as reasonable proximity to public transportation, jobs, etc. are also valued by other people who although they can't afford to buy a house in my area, they certainly can pool their hourly wages with the hourly wages of 10 of their closest friends and rent a house next door to me.

That's the problem. Public transportation = parasite magnet. Live in an area where people work hard and invest in their own more modern form of transportation, the automobile.

[Tac-Sea]

Originally Posted by Andy

That's the problem. Public transportation = parasite magnet. Live in an area where people work hard and invest in their own more modern form of transportation, the automobile.

Perhaps Lakeland South is a good middle ground. No bus routes in any neighborhood I've seen there (although I am sure there are SOME somewhere along a major road) but still close enough to conveniences compared to buying 10 acres in North Bend to get away...

Tacoma has more crime than Los Angeless (look up the safety/crime index online, tacoma is a 2 while LA is 27, on a scale where 100 is the safest!). And I have been to LA, Miami, NY, Chicago, etc. many times. I felt safer in most parts of those towns than I do the puget sound. The true ghettos there may be far worse than here, but it seems like they are in very few areas.

Here it seems like almost anywhere you go it is so crowded with unsavory characters that I feel like Kirkland is the only place that is safe for now...but last I heard they were trying to lift the ban on section 8 housing, so we shall see...

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by Andy

That's the problem. Public transportation = parasite magnet. Live in an area where people work hard and invest in their own more modern form of transportation, the automobile.

Some time drive up to Issaquah Highlands where the median home costs $700,000 and watch as the ST554, Metro 216, 218 219, and 269 fill up with commuters every morning, and the park & Ride is full by 8am.

Then there's the South Sammamish Park & Ride where those same buses are less full but still pick up many riders, the median home price is $620,000, and people like me have 3 cars but prefer to take the bus.

There are also plenty of bus riders coming out of Kirkland!

[GatsbyGatz]

Feel free to move to Southern California to learn about what a "ghetto" really is. I laugh whenever someone here tells me about how "scary" they think a neighborhood here is. Natives here see any person of color or lower-class and immediately assume that the neighborhood has gone to the dogs. In California, I was paying an arm and a leg for a house that was just a few blocks away from a corner that would be frequented with murders. And that was in a supposed "nice" neighborhood!

[PollyGlott]

"Is is just me, or has the puget sound become a cesspool?"

Answer: It's just you.

[angelenogirl]

I suggest you visit any of the following places and report back:

East St. Louis, IL
Chester, PA
Watts, CA
Detroit, MI

Also, please tell me where the $500K houses are in Kirkland, because I want one. Or two.