Where in seattle can you find one bedrooms under $2,000 a month in safe areas (Bremerton: condos, homes)

[Bluefox]

Originally Posted by NearFantastica

You can find plenty of 1 bedroom and studio apartments in good areas of Seattle for under $2K a month, just don't expect anything under $1K. A lot of people think Seattle is expensive but it's really not especially when the minimum wage is decent. Same goes for San Francisco. The great thing about West Coast cities is that we're not as crazy expensive as the East Coast, NYC and Boston are absolute nightmares COL wise and "cheap" Florida is reaching the same levels currently.

Yeah even in Capitol Hill - lots of those older brick buildings are actually fairly reasonable by Seattle area standards. Few amenities and I’m sure parking is either expensive or a hassle/street parking, but it’s a great location, especially the area over by 15th or so. Some of them are also quite beautiful from an architectural standpoint, inside and out.

I will say this is something that seems to have worked in Seattle - lots of expensive new apartments going up left and right, but all the new construction does seem to be keeping demand somewhat in check such that many of the lower end units aren’t also going up astronomically. This isn’t the case in every neighborhood and definitely not every suburb but it does seem to be working in many of the core areas.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by annonymous0381

Thanks so much everyone

From that long list, there are only 3-4 units you can truly afford. You don't want to start at $1450 or above, because then you have no wiggle room when the rent goes up. You'll have to move again. Corporate-owned buildings or complexes usually raise the rent $100/mo per year. I'd look for locally-owned buildings, if I were you.

[bergun]

OP, if the repairs are minor and you like where you are, it might be worth staying put for the immediate future. Yes, if those repairs are safety issue, OK, I fully understand. If these repairs are only cosmetic, I’d seriously rethink moving at this time and start the process of saving funds, so that you will be in a stronger position.

As for buying a condo, especially now, with a mortgage payment of $2Ks, in a safe area, anywhere in the metro Seattle area might be a challenge. Also, with condo, many do have monthly fees on top of your mortgage. Homesinseattle is without question the most knowledgeable individual on this forum as it relates to this area.

I wish you luck and hopefully, of of those leads from CrazyDonkey will be the answer to your needs!

[annonymous0381]

Originally Posted by bergun

OP, if the repairs are minor and you like where you are, it might be worth staying put for the immediate future. Yes, if those repairs are safety issue, OK, I fully understand. If these repairs are only cosmetic, I’d seriously rethink moving at this time and start the process of saving funds, so that you will be in a stronger position.

As for buying a condo, especially now, with a mortgage payment of $2Ks, in a safe area, anywhere in the metro Seattle area might be a challenge. Also, with condo, many do have monthly fees on top of your mortgage. Homesinseattle is without question the most knowledgeable individual on this forum as it relates to this area.

I wish you luck and hopefully, of of those leads from CrazyDonkey will be the answer to your needs!

The repairs are minor.

[Sockeye66]

Originally Posted by annonymous0381

The repairs are minor.

This would certainly be the less disrupting solution. Moving costs add up, rental, loading, deposits, higher rent, etc. I'm in the process of moving now, it's been stressful.

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

From that long list, there are only 3-4 units you can truly afford. You don't want to start at $1450 or above, because then you have no wiggle room when the rent goes up. You'll have to move again. Corporate-owned buildings or complexes usually raise the rent $100/mo per year. I'd look for locally-owned buildings, if I were you.

I assumed he would want a 1-bdrm like he has now, but well-maintained and in good-repair, and at least 500 sqft.

Zillow lists 95 results meeting that criteria in Seattle with a max rent of $1,500. Lower the maximum rent to $1,400 and Zillow shows only 40 results, with many fewer in desirable areas.

Here are some more units for max $1,400 rent:

Ballard: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...89726921_zpid/ ($1,395/800sqft)

Ballard: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...76968677_zpid/ ($1,395/500sqft)

Lake City: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/12316-32nd-Ave-NE-7218765-Seattle-WA-98125/2061897284_zpid/ ($1,295/660sqft)

Lake City: https://www.zillow.com/b/12542-35th-...nit-2078384574 ($1,375/580sqft)

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by CrazyDonkey

I assumed he would want a 1-bdrm like he has now, but well-maintained and in good-repair, and at least 500 sqft.

Zillow lists 95 results meeting that criteria in Seattle with a max rent of $1,500. Lower the maximum rent to $1,400 and Zillow shows only 40 results, with many fewer in desirable areas.

Here are some more units for max $1,400 rent:

Ballard: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...89726921_zpid/ ($1,395/800sqft)

Ballard: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/1...76968677_zpid/ ($1,395/500sqft)

Lake City: https://www.zillow.com/homedetails/12316-32nd-Ave-NE-7218765-Seattle-WA-98125/2061897284_zpid/ ($1,295/660sqft)

Lake City: https://www.zillow.com/b/12542-35th-...nit-2078384574 ($1,375/580sqft)

The 2nd Lake City one looks nice. Pleasant view from the balcony, better quality window framing, etc. The first Lake City one look cave-like and depressing, hemmed in by other buildings. It's amazing what a difference an extra $75/mo. or so makes

OP is terrified of Ballard. There are small buildings in pleasant neighborhoods of Ballard, but the chances of there being an opening in one of them, and at an affordable rate are probably slim.

OP, if you do go to look at any apartments, be sure to ask if the rent is stable. Further ask how often and by how much the rent typically goes up. Ask if the building is locally-owned. Cruise the neighborhood at various times of day/night, to observe what's going on. Take a stroll or two around. If you see anyone out and about, feel free to ask if they feel like it's a good neighborhod.


Thx for your research, Donkey.

[pnwguy2]

Lots of good information above. Generally in the Seattle metro the lowest rents are in Kent, Auburn. North would be Marysville. I paid 450 a month for a semi modern condo on Capital Hill in 1987. With a downtown view. Same unit today is 2200, maybe more.

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

The 2nd Lake City one looks nice. Pleasant view from the balcony, better quality window framing, etc. The first Lake City one look cave-like and depressing, hemmed in by other buildings. It's amazing what a difference an extra $75/mo. or so makes

OP is terrified of Ballard. There are small buildings in pleasant neighborhoods of Ballard, but the chances of there being an opening in one of them, and at an affordable rate are probably slim.

OP, if you do go to look at any apartments, be sure to ask if the rent is stable. Further ask how often and by how much the rent typically goes up. Ask if the building is locally-owned. Cruise the neighborhood at various times of day/night, to observe what's going on. Take a stroll or two around. If you see anyone out and about, feel free to ask if they feel like it's a good neighborhod.

The two in Ballard are south of Market, but west of 15th. So, not in the best area in Ballard, but far from the worst.

[homesinseattle]

If you decide to buy a condo, you should take a look at the the Pinehurst area just north of Northgate, pretty good value for money and relatively close in.