Moving to Seattle from Chicago, need neighborhood recommendations!! (Bellevue, Kirkland: apartments, for rent)

[ms53031]

I'll be moving to Seattle from downtown Chicago in a few weeks and am looking for neighborhood recommendations.

I'm a single female, in my late twenties and would like a neighborhood that is extremely walkable with restaurants, wine bars, and shops. Ideally, I'd like to be within walking distance to a body of water as well. I'll be commuting to Bellevue so an area in Seattle proper with a manageable commute is important as well (I currently have a 1 hour commute so anything equivalent or less than that works). As far as rent, I'm happy with a studio and would ideally like to keep rent below $1600.

Any input is greatly appreciated!

[tobester]

I'll chime in with my favorite ... Columbia City. Straightforward commute (depends on where in Bellevue) and close to water.

[CrazyDonkey]

Eastlake (quaint neighborhood with shops, restaurants, bars, close to Lake Union, with easy access to I-5 and 520):

Eastlake Ave E, Seattle, WA 98102 is For Rent | Zillow

2215 Eastlake Ave E # STUDIO, Seattle, WA 98102 is For Rent | Zillow

APT: Open 1x1 - Equinox in Seattle, WA | Zillow

East Capitol Hill (close to 15th Ave, Pike-Pine, Broadway, Volunteer Park, Interlaken Park, Aboretum/Lake Washington, with quick access to 520 or I-90 via 23rd):

1504 18th Ave APT 2, Seattle, WA 98122 is For Rent | Zillow

21st Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112 is For Rent | Zillow

1720 E John St, Seattle, WA 98112 is For Rent | Zillow

535 16th Ave E Seattle, WA, 98112 - Apartments for Rent | Zillow

APT: #205 - Lawrence Lofts in Seattle, WA | Zillow

1809 E John St, Seattle, WA 98112 is For Rent | Zillow

119 19th Ave E, Seattle, WA 98112 is For Rent | Zillow

[DP79]

Which neighborhood in Chicago are you fond of? Would help narrow it down.

By the way, that commute from Seattle to Bellevue is a beast. Think from Northwest suburbs to the Loop.

[ms53031]

Thanks for the input so far!

Currently, I live in the Streeterville neighborhood ... I like being so close to everything and having tons of sites and shopping so close. I commute from there to the near western suburbs (20 miles each way) so I'm used to a pretty treacherous commute.

[MargaretBartley]

The "reverse commute" is awful. By "reverse commute" I mean living in Seattle and working on the East side. Traditionally, the East Side was the bedroom community, and Seattle was the job center. Metro transit hasn't changed its driving patterns in 50 years. Many of the locations on the East Side only have buses going to downtown in the morning, and returning in the evening.

I would consider looking at Kirkland. It has nice views, parks, shops and retail core.

[Gabbythecat]

I agree with Kirkland. It has everything you are looking for. The commute to Bellevue would be easy, the Kirkland waterfront is wonderful.

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by MargaretBartley

The "reverse commute" is awful. By "reverse commute" I mean living in Seattle and working on the East side. Traditionally, the East Side was the bedroom community, and Seattle was the job center. Metro transit hasn't changed its driving patterns in 50 years. Many of the locations on the East Side only have buses going to downtown in the morning, and returning in the evening.

I would consider looking at Kirkland. It has nice views, parks, shops and retail core.

I disagree. It entirely depends on where you're commuting from and to. As long as you have easy access to 520 in Seattle, commuting to Bellevue should be pretty quick, as long as you're willing to pay the toll. The reverse bus commute to downtown Bellevue can be very doable (on 520 or I-90) as long as you're close to or within a short bus-ride to a cross-lake bus. For instance, catch the #43 or #48 (or any other bus that goes there) to the Montlake Freeway Station, then catch any of several buses to Bellevue.

Where the bus commute gets difficult is if it is a long bus-ride to a cross-lake bus and/or a further transfer is required from the Eastside to get to the destination.

[ms53031]

This is great, thanks!! At this point, I'm leaning toward Capitol Hill but did see a complex in Belltown near (Olympic Sculpture Park) that looks appealing. I've read mixed things about Belltown, any input on that specific area?

Thanks again for the feedback!!

[CrazyDonkey]

Belltown could be okay for a bus-commute to Bellevue, but the car-commute would be a little harder, in that it is more difficult to get to 520 or I-90. Belltown also has more homeless, drug activity, and crime than neighborhoods that are further from the Downtown core.

If I were you, I'd be looking at upper and east Capitol Hill, between 13th and 19th. If you want to bus it, then look for a place within walking distance of the #43 and/or #48 bus routes (John St. or 23rd Ave.), which will take you to the Montlake Freeway Station at 520.

15th, 12th, Broadway, Pike, and Pine have tons of shops, stores, cafes, restaurants, coffee shops, bars, etc. There's a Safeway at 15th & John, a QFC at 15th & Republican, the Central Co-op and Trader Joe's between 16th and 17th on Madison.