Seattle vs San Francisco Cost of Living (Apartments.) (Shoreline, Tukwila: insurance, condo)

[Walter_Sobchak]

I was wondering if anyone could compare the cost of similarly situated 1BR apartments in Seattle and SF.

I am familiar with SF, having lived in the Russian Hill/Nob Hill neighborhood; I'd be looking for something similar in Seattle (i.e., walkable, bars, restaurants, etc.) Perhaps Capitol Hill? Oh, and I have a car - so if you are familiar with parking, that would be great. I have never been to Seattle, but am visiting later this summer. Rents in my old SF neighborhood (in 2008) ran around $1,800 (plus $300 for parking) for an older but nice 600-700 sq. ft. 1BR apartment (no washer dryer - no dishwasher.)

Thanks so much.

[packet]

Quite a bit cheaper in Seattle. $1650 got me a 1200 sq ft 2bd,2ba apartment overlooking lake union w/ parking included in Seattle. Rates have dropped a bit in the last year. So, it might be a bit cheaper now. I have friends in northern Seattle paying $950 for a townhouse.

[Walter_Sobchak]

Originally Posted by packet

Quite a bit cheaper in Seattle. $1650 got me a 1200 sq ft 2bd,2ba apartment overlooking lake union w/ parking included in Seattle. Rates have dropped a bit in the last year. So, it might be a bit cheaper now. I have friends in northern Seattle paying $950 for a townhouse.

What area of the city were you in? Is that a walkable area?

[redy2go]

moved here from SF; you will want to be either in downtown or capitol hill; my 900sf new apt in south lake union (essentially downtown) runs $2400 +$200 utilities + $100 for parking. ch is much cheaper but so is the construction and its very crowded.

stay away from belltown. one thing to note - although seattle is much smaller than SF; the homeless are a different sort; in SF they are mostly mentally ill; in Seattle the are mostly drug addicts.

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by redy2go

moved here from SF; you will want to be either in downtown or capitol hill; my 900sf new apt in south lake union (essentially downtown) runs $2400 +$200 utilities + $100 for parking. ch is much cheaper but so is the construction and its very crowded.

stay away from belltown. one thing to note - although seattle is much smaller than SF; the homeless are a different sort; in SF they are mostly mentally ill; in Seattle the are mostly drug addicts.

What's wrong with Belltown? It's one area I considered as well as lower Queen Anne.

[redy2go]

lower queen anne, belltown, south lake union - these are all really part of downtown. belltown is one area that has a lot of crime especially for a city the size of Seattle. you will have people say otherwise and they try to market it as a hip place for young singles but its not the place to be.

[Walter_Sobchak]

Originally Posted by redy2go

moved here from SF; you will want to be either in downtown or capitol hill; my 900sf new apt in south lake union (essentially downtown) runs $2400 +$200 utilities + $100 for parking. ch is much cheaper but so is the construction and its very crowded.
.

Capitol Hill is more crowded than downtown?

Is your place a 2BR?

[Gentoo]

Originally Posted by redy2go

lower queen anne, belltown, south lake union - these are all really part of downtown. belltown is one area that has a lot of crime especially for a city the size of Seattle. you will have people say otherwise and they try to market it as a hip place for young singles but its not the place to be.

Good to know. I just liked the location and despite my age, I still prefer the more urban living that younger people do.

What's lower Queen Anne really like? I stayed there when I was in Seattle last year. It seems nice but I wasn't there long enough to really get a feel of it.

Sorry to the OP BTW.

[la_fuerza]

Walter-

I know you asked about Seattle proper but here is my story for comparison. Both of these places are 12-15 minutes to Downtown Seattle by freeway:

My old place in Shoreline (north of Seattle) was a 1 bedroom, 700 square foot apartment for $865/month. It was located one block off Aurora Ave and the bus line into downtown. After living there for a year I decided I should try to buy a condo.

I bought my very first condo in 2008 near Sea-Tac Airport- a 1 bedroom, 700 square foot, top floor unit. The condo has a pool and is in a very central location, near shopping, bus lines and the Tukwila Light Rail Station. I pay about $1,150/month for a 30-year fixed mortgage, including homeowners dues and PMI insurance.

[AcroJimmy2]

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