Where to live in Kent Washington area? Help! (Seattle, Renton: apartments, rental)

[ZeePips]

I'm moving to Kent Washington but have never visited there. Where is the best place to live for a young, single professional? Looking for somewhere dynamic with other single professionals. Will probably need to find a place all online before I get there. So need your help/advice! Thanks!

[homesinseattle]

I think living in Downtown Renton (which is revitalizing) would put you closer to the vibe you might like. That’s easy commuting distance to Kent.

[jabogitlu]

Is this a budget-related question? Kent is a southern suburb of Seattle, a mixed bag in terms of economics. There are some nice wealthy areas, but many middle class or lower middle class areas. There may be a decent number of young professionals but there is hardly a culture of folks congregating in Kent.

So if you're not asking for a very specific reason, I'd definitely steer you more towards Seattle - White Center or Burien or West Seattle if you need to be around the airport or something, or closer into the city otherwise...

Just my two cents.

[Hemlock140]

I agree with Renton, especially in the area around The Landing. The more urban areas of Kent are near the big courthouse, jails and an event center, not places that would be the best for living. The nicer, safer areas of Kent are in the hills and more suburban. You might also consider Covington.

[TheTimidBlueBars]

Strongly agree that you should get closer to the city. South King County is basically the New Jersey of Seattle: it's very diverse, a bit gritty, and not the worst in terms of urbanity, but the city is where most stuff is happening.

White Center would be a solid choice. It has sort of a rough reputation but it'll be way easier to meet and hang out with young people than in Kent. The Southgate Roller Rink is in the downtown there, where I've seen bands play pre-COVID. Proletariat Pizza and Full Tilt Ice Cream (has pinball inside) are popular hangouts. You'd have access to West Seattle as well, which isn't quite as popular with the younger crowd as other parts of the city, but still has several walkable commercial districts like the Alaska Junction (home to the famous Easy Street Records, an escape room, and many restaurants and bars) and Alki Beach.

Alternately, South Seattle could be good. Columbia City and Beacon Hill are pretty happening areas, but you could also look a bit farther south around the Othello light rail station. You'd have easy access to downtown and north Seattle, by rail as well as driving. When I was active in the DSA they had a few meetings at Cafe Red by Othello --- not that you're necessarily leftist, but just to give an idea of the crowd down there.

[CrazyDonkey]

For more singles, and a younger and more professional demographic, I'd suggest Burien: https://www.zillow.com/burien-wa/apa...oom%22%3A12%7D

You'd have fairly easy access to Downtown Seattle via 509 and the First Ave S Bridge, and a very doable commute to Kent.

[Sockeye66]

I'm supporting Homes input on looking in Renton. They are finally finishing up the extensive road work downtown and it's quite active. Lot's of good food, pubs, coffee etc to walk to and Safeway is close by.

It's about 5-6 miles North of Kent with an easy highway and surface streets linking the two.

I love Burien and White Center is doing much better. I lived WC for 17 years, don't know of many rental opportunities there.