Queen Anne to Renton- commute (Seattle, Tukwila: crime, how much, transfer)

[UkieRunner]

We're moving to Seattle, will be making a decent living, and have two young children (under 3) and want to live in the city. All signs point to Queen Anne- but the job is in Renton. How bad will the commute be? Would the commute be bikeable?

[aa85]

Bikeable? Not for most people...

Roughly 14 miles (90-100 minutes each way according to Google Maps), some severe terrain changes (particularly if you're living on Queen Anne Hill), dangerous roads, and some rougher neighborhoods lie in between. Plus, it is dark very early in Seattle in the winter - if you work regular hours, your entire PM commute would be in the dark, and probably all of the AM commute as well.

Public transportation is probably not a good option - parts of Renton don't have much bus service. If your workplace does have bus service, it would be 60-80 minutes and require at least one transfer, possibly 2.

So, you should probably drive. 30-40 minutes is a fair estimate, but that depends on exactly where you're living and working.

[Ira500]

Depends on where in Queen Anne and where in Renton. I used to work on the Queen Anne/Belltown border near Pier 70 and live just west of downtown Renton, and when I drove it took me about 20 minutes. Not very good for biking. Buses from downtown Seattle to downtown Renton are quite good.

[MaikeerinWA]

Like the other replies said, it depends where exactly you're living and working. You may have to deal with transfers if you take public transportation.

And it also depends on your definition of "bikeable." Metro buses to and from Renton have bike racks on the front. And if you are working at a place like Boeing's commercial airplanes headquarters in Renton/Tukwila, then the Sounder train becomes a possibility. Bikes are welcome on the train, which you can board at the King Street Station in Seattle.

[jinj]

It'll be a reverse commute against traffic, so it won't take you more than 30 mins to get there by car.

Renton is not very safe, so avoid riding a bike or taking the bus.

[Ira500]

Originally Posted by jinj

It'll be a reverse commute against traffic, so it won't take you more than 30 mins to get there by car.

Renton is not very safe, so avoid riding a bike or taking the bus.

I live in Renton. MichaelinWa lives in Renton. I've lived here for 12 years, and I've never been a crime victim. I took the bus for years. Crime stats suggest that Renton has far fewer crimes per capita than many Seattle neighborhoods.
is it safe? Don't walk around the worst parts of Renton counting your cash. Don't leave your car unlocked with the keys in the ignition. There are a couple of "bad" parts of Renton. I'd say 95% of the place is just fine.

[seattleite2007]

Yes, this will definately be a reverse commute with major traffic bottlenecks getting in and out of Queen Anne everyday (via SR 99). Once you get on I-5 you should be in Renton in about 20 minutes.

Biking would be tricky given the hilly terrain in and around the city, although you could use the bus for part of the trip. Another viable option would be to bike to the Westlake Center light rail station and ride the subway/train into Rainier Valley, then bike the last few miles to work. The light rail is somewhat efficient and very affordable, just check to be sure you can take your bike on board during peak hours.

[jinj]

Originally Posted by Ira500

I live in Renton. MichaelinWa lives in Renton. I've lived here for 12 years, and I've never been a crime victim. I took the bus for years. Crime stats suggest that Renton has far fewer crimes per capita than many Seattle neighborhoods.
is it safe? Don't walk around the worst parts of Renton counting your cash. Don't leave your car unlocked with the keys in the ignition. There are a couple of "bad" parts of Renton. I'd say 95% of the place is just fine.

Yep, it all depends on how much crime is a lot to an individual.

I find the Renton bus station to be rather dodgy, the walmart car park after dark is very very dodgy.
Compared to the rest of the country, its not that bad I guess.