Need help quickly in deciding apartment location (Seattle, Bellevue: rental, home)

[Animefreak2026]

I will be working on 4th St. in Downtown Seattle. I am looking for a place to live that will give me the best bang for my buck. I have looked at the same area and the Belltown, Lower Queen Ann, and Capt Hill area and found some really nice 1BD + Den Apt. for around $2300-$2800. But I have also found some really nice 1BD + Den Apts in the Bellevue, Redmond area for more SQ Ft. for around $1800-$2300.

I don't know where I should choose my place of living. I have heard the warnings about traffic over the bridge and so forth coming and going from Bellevue/Redmond, but driving doesn't scare me coming from where I'm from. Also I've heard I can park my car and take the bus from the Bellevue/Redmond area as well.

Where do you recommend is the best place?

[Kayela]

I'd start off closer. It's fine that driving doesn't scare you, but if you chose to commute across a bridge there will many times when you're not doing much of it. Nope, you'll be sitting in your car, but not driving, for much longer than that distance would warrant. There are times when you could probably walk it faster. Those bridges can really, really suck (and I say this as one who drives across one). No, it's generally not unbearable (especially if you can shift your hours to work earlier or later), or so many people wouldn't do it, but why put yourself through that? Also - getting in to Downtown and finding parking is not a simple task. You wouldn't want to do that commute if you didn't live close to a major bus route and could take that.

I will also note that Redmond and Bellevue are primarily characterized as 'family neighborhoods' - there's much more in the way of restaurants, theatre, shows, nightlife, art, eclectic coffee shops, and so on.. in Seattle. Not that they have nothing, but not nearly as much.

However, that is the nicest thing about renting - you can start off in one area, and if you don't like it, then try another.

[Blondebaerde]

A question of urban vs. suburban life, since rental prices are not a consideration (you're willing to live in either Seattle or Eastside, that is to say). Mildly surprised you can find more in Bellevue for same or less money, given it's booming too.

I "think" most would say: if you work in Seattle, and to the best of your abilities think you will continue to work in Seattle however long you're staying, try to live there as-well. I'm a suburban kind of guy, my whole life to date, thus I'm going with what I find comfortable. Not having a car Eastside would be a major drag. No car in Seattle is actually doable, they say.

4th and Pine, for example (just a guess: wherever you'll actually be working) is right on major bus lines from Eastside and elsewhere. Driving there during the day is a bad idea, and isn't showing signs of improving anytime soon. If-ever. Quite the opposite, in my observation.

[Animefreak2026]

Originally Posted by Blondebaerde

A question of urban vs. suburban life, since rental prices are not a consideration (you're willing to live in either Seattle or Eastside, that is to say). Mildly surprised you can find more in Bellevue for same or less money, given it's booming too.

I "think" most would say: if you work in Seattle, and to the best of your abilities think you will continue to work in Seattle however long you're staying, try to live there as-well. I'm a suburban kind of guy, my whole life to date, thus I'm going with what I find comfortable. Not having a car Eastside would be a major drag. No car in Seattle is actually doable, they say.

4th and Pine, for example (just a guess: wherever you'll actually be working) is right on major bus lines from Eastside and elsewhere. Driving there during the day is a bad idea, and isn't showing signs of improving anytime soon. If-ever. Quite the opposite, in my observation.

I to have lived a suburban life for a good portion of my life so far coming from Florida. I am also a homebody and don't go out much if not at all. But i had this wild idea I would remake myself in Seattle, and go out more and live the long dreamed city life etc. I'm just faced with asking myself "Are you really going to change?" which is why I can't say a definite yes to paying slightly more for less sq ft in Seattle.

So I was hoping someone would come up with a good reason for me so I can move. I do have a car from Florida which I still haven't shipped over yet.

[amaiunmei]

Originally Posted by Animefreak2026

I will be working on 4th St. in Downtown Seattle. I am looking for a place to live that will give me the best bang for my buck. I have looked at the same area and the Belltown, Lower Queen Ann, and Capt Hill area and found some really nice 1BD + Den Apt. for around $2300-$2800. But I have also found some really nice 1BD + Den Apts in the Bellevue, Redmond area for more SQ Ft. for around $1800-$2300.

I don't know where I should choose my place of living. I have heard the warnings about traffic over the bridge and so forth coming and going from Bellevue/Redmond, but driving doesn't scare me coming from where I'm from. Also I've heard I can park my car and take the bus from the Bellevue/Redmond area as well.

Where do you recommend is the best place?

Another thing to consider: a lot of the Eastside park-and-rides fill up very early; I know for a fact that the Redmond park-and-rides are nearly full by 7:30 am, and I can't imagine Bellevue will be much better. If you are planning on using transit, make sure the bus stop is within walking distance. Otherwise, you'll be waking up very early with no guarantees.

[MondoTime]

Originally Posted by Animefreak2026

I will be working on 4th St. in Downtown Seattle. I am looking for a place to live that will give me the best bang for my buck. I have looked at the same area and the Belltown, Lower Queen Ann, and Capt Hill area and found some really nice 1BD + Den Apt. for around $2300-$2800. But I have also found some really nice 1BD + Den Apts in the Bellevue, Redmond area for more SQ Ft. for around $1800-$2300.

I don't know where I should choose my place of living. I have heard the warnings about traffic over the bridge and so forth coming and going from Bellevue/Redmond, but driving doesn't scare me coming from where I'm from. Also I've heard I can park my car and take the bus from the Bellevue/Redmond area as well.

Where do you recommend is the best place?

I think what you really should do is sit down and ask yourself "how many square feet do you need???"



I mean, sum-up what you have right now... and then sum-up what you recently had... and truly ask yourself how many square feet you need, in order to feel comfortable.

IF you can get that in central-ish Seattle: (Lower Queen Anne, or Capitol Hill) ... then make yourself dive into one of those two areas.

This will assure that your commute will be easier, and that you'll have the option of walking when all else fails (icy roads, Metro suddenly dropping the ball, etc.)

The idea of reinventing yourself in Seattle IS within reach, but a huuuuuuuuge contribution to it would be to immerse yourself right in the midst of all of the life around you, and the more central locations would help in that regard, plus they would make the evening trip home shorter, giving more time for going out and living as you want to do.

I vote for Lower Queen Anne or Capitol Hill.

[Kayela]

MondoTime gives some great advice.

I am a huge fan of reinventing yourself! Probably because it worked so great for me. So I'm voting for DO EET!!

Lower QA would be ok, and Belltown has lots going on, but honestly IMO it feels more like an extension of DT rather than an actual distinct neighborhood, and it's lacking everyday things like grocery stores. So quite frankly move to Cap Hill. You will not find a more vibrant, walkable neighborhood with more stuff going on anywhere. Plus bonus for you! It's actually convenient to where you work.

Two buildings just opened up in my area; Stream Belmont and Zephyr. Based on what you've posted, they sound like they might work. I can't speak for how they are to live in (try checking Yelp), but the neighborhood absolutely rocks. This part of the Hill is tree-lined and lovely while being steps away from everything (groceries, gym, coffee shops, boutiques, art galleries, indie theatres, a bazillion restaurants, museums, parks, more book shops than any other neighborhood, transit, etc). It's close to nightlife, but not in the middle of it, it's close to old, historic, residential neighborhoods but with more density, it's also a brisk walk DT.

Even if you try it and don't like it, at least you tried it and learned more about yourself in the process.

[mkarch]

Originally Posted by Animefreak2026

I to have lived a suburban life for a good portion of my life so far coming from Florida. I am also a homebody and don't go out much if not at all. But i had this wild idea I would remake myself in Seattle, and go out more and live the long dreamed city life etc. I'm just faced with asking myself "Are you really going to change?" which is why I can't say a definite yes to paying slightly more for less sq ft in Seattle.

So I was hoping someone would come up with a good reason for me so I can move. I do have a car from Florida which I still haven't shipped over yet.

There are a lot of suburban neighborhoods in Seattle. If you're working on 4th and want to live in the suburbs, find a place in Magnolia. It's a straight shot to downtown, easy commute, without crossing the lake. It's right next to Queen Anne.

[Animefreak2026]

Originally Posted by Kayela

MondoTime gives some great advice.

I am a huge fan of reinventing yourself! Probably because it worked so great for me. So I'm voting for DO EET!!

LOL fellow brethren. You get it. Thanks for the recommendations.

[Gardyloo]

Just pulled up this sample Craigslisting - Off Broadway, 2 bdrm w/ private patio, cat/dog ok, parking 2 BR, in/under your budget, parking, a block from the Broadway strip, bus (and one of these days trolley) to downtown badda bing. Let the reinventing commence.