Places to live near Tukwila, moving from IL. (Seattle, Kent: apartment, condo)

[soccerpk6]

Hello!

I'm looking to move to WA from Central IL. Would likely be working in Tukwila, WA. Don't necessarily want to live downtown Washington due to cost. I'm a 30yr old single male, so looking for things to do/experience while I'm there would be a plus! Not sure what income would look like at this point, but lets use a hypothetical $70-$75k/yr income level to be on the safe side. Tukwila seems a little small for my liking, so probably looking outside of there, but don't want a crazy commute either. Would also like to stay within a reasonable distance to Seattle to get the "big city" pros.

A big thanks in advance for all the responses! Let me know if there's anything else I need to add for additional input, appreciate it!

[tommy64]

Renton Highlands, Burien, stay away from White Center, West Seattle is spendy but close and affordable.

[soccerpk6]

Thank you! I'll check out Burien! I was also looking at Renton? Is $70k reasonable for living in that part of Washington? I'd like to be able to have money to do things as well and would not want to live paycheck-to-paycheck on housing.

[homesinseattle]

Beacon Hill or Columbia City near light rail, best of both worlds. Pretty easy Tukwila commute without using freeway but easy access to the cool things that are Seattle. Oh, just saw your screen name, you are going to LOVE the Sounders professional soccer action out here. 50,000 people a match, great fans, feels like British "footy" culture. Great soccer pubs too.

[soccerpk6]

Actually already a big fan of the Sounders!! I'll look into both areas!

[4Sparkling]

Hello, and welcome! For $70,000/yr, I'd suggest living a little further south! Have you looked into Kent or Auburn? It's a little further from the city, but the cost of living will be more affordable. Commute from Auburn to Tukwila is about 40 minutes - 20-25 minutes from Kent in rush hour traffic. It's tough to find a good commute/cost of living here anymore unless you are a multimillionaire

Good Luck!

[soccerpk6]

Thanks for the advice! That's a bummer to hear. Was hoping I could find something between Tukwila and Seattle on that salary, that way I can enjoy the city.

[CrazyDonkey]

30% of $70,000 = $1,750/mo.

For between Tukwila and Seattle, look at North Beacon Hill (LR), Columbia City (LR), Brighton (Othello LR), Georgetown/South Park, Junction (West Seattle). Lots of 1bd apts you should be able to afford.

https://www.zillow.com/homes/for_ren...41_rect/12_zm/

[MondoTime]

Originally Posted by soccerpk6

Thanks for the advice! That's a bummer to hear. Was hoping I could find something between Tukwila and Seattle on that salary, that way I can enjoy the city.

I am guessing that "Central Illinois" does not have you in some large-ish city with uncomfortable rush hour commutes.

But with Seattle's present and its trends toward the future in mind, IF you have a job lined-up in Tukwila, WA, you do NOT want to aggravate your (life, really) by negating the relative ease of working in Tukwila by subjecting yourself to any more of Seattle's rush-hour mess than you have to.

Instead of applying the percentage of your income it would require to position your home between central Seattle and Tukwila, you would optimize more effectively by finding a spot to the south which would reduce rent/home costs and ideally land you a daily commute which is convenient and not on the same exact path which everybody else is taking.

Rather than Seattle-Tukwila home location, find a hill, and/or a quiet area to the south/east to which the masses have no reason to go very often to keep your home life relatively safe and unaffected by the crazy growth around here.

The city will be there when you wish to enjoy it, but you don't need to pay the accelerated costs associating with living (in Seattle), when you have a job in Tukwila.

[CrazyDonkey]

Because he'd be working in Tukwila doesn't mean he should live in the burbs or boonies. He's single and relatively young (30). If he can pull down $70k, he can afford to live closer to the "city" action.