Moving to Seattle - Neighborhoods (Burien, White Center: apartment, to rent, condo)

[noah]

Another Atlanta to Seattle move. We are familiar with Seattle as our family is there and we are originally from Washington but do have a few questions on neighborhoods.

Will be working at Starbucks headquarters in SODO so will probably target West Seattle, Beacon Hill or Burien as first choices. Budget is tight at 2k or under. We need at least 2 bedrooms, 1,000 sq ft (two adults and two young kids), open to house, apartment, condo, townhouse. We live in an 1,100 sq ft house now so don't need anything big for our first year.

White Center area - I have seen comments suggesting it depends on the street, are there specific areas to avoid (Coming from Atlanta we have seen and lived in decent working class areas surrounded by bad areas)

Burien - Same thing, any areas you would avoid?

Columbia City - What is it like? should we consider?

Preference is to take transit to work so that could factor in location as well.

Also open to northside locations just have to consider the extra commute time to SODO.


Thanks everyone!

[Sockeye66]

I live in White Center.
The only places I can suggest avoiding is anything off the major thouroughfares from any of those areas.
W Seattle- Avoid Delridge
White Center- 16th Ave SW/Ambaum
Burien, 1st Ave.

[homesinseattle]

Cheers Noah, Columbia City is great, though may be more expensive than you think. Try to buffer yourself by a few blocks east of Rainier Ave S or if you are west of there, insulate yourself a bit from MLK Way. This area has the added benefit of light rail. Explore parts of Beacon Hill, neighborhoods are rapidly evolving and it is certainly a good location for your commute. White Center, as you surmise, is another area with attractive rents and would be great for your commute. It's one of the only parts of Seattle left that hasn't "gentrified", old school eateries abound and it actually has real artists' workshops, great ethnic food too. There are parts that are a little dicey, but it will seem like child's play coming from Hotlanta. You may be able to find some town homes in that price range in the Delridge area of West Seattle. This also would allow you to head south and come into Sbux without going over the often brutal (and getting worse) West Seattle bridge. I would avoid the northend and the commuting pain that would cause you, prices are higher up there (here, I live in Phinney Ridge) as well. That being said, my Phinney neighbor is a Sbux exec, commutes at 7AM with no trouble. For $2K, you may be able to rent a small two bedroom home in the Greenwood area, certainly an apartment. Best, Vince.

[CrazyDonkey]

Straight walk from the SoDo light rail station to Starbucks Hq. - .3 miles.

Look at the area around the Othello light rail station. For instance:

APT: 2 br, $1825 - The Station at Othello Park in Seattle, WA | Zillow

Within less than a block from the Othello Light Rail Station. Othello Playground is nextdoor. Safeway/Starbucks and a couple Asian markets are within a couple of blocks. Good selection of inexpensive mostly ethnic eateries in the area: Chinese, Vietnamese, Mexican, Cajun, Middle Eastern, etc. #36 electric trolleybus takes you to Beacon Hill, Little Saigon, etc. Not far from Seward Park.

[amaiunmei]

I'd recommend living in either Columbia City or West Seattle, as the transit is most optimally positioned for you in either place.

[noah]

Thanks everyone for the suggestions and tips, very helpful. Asian markets and ethnic eateries are a big plus for us