Affordable rental in the tri-cities area (Kennewick, Richland: apartment complexes, rentals, hotels)

[ruf1950]

I'm considering moving to the tri-cities area in the coming spring. Does anyone know of any affordable, yet clean & safe rentals in the area for a single 60 year old male? It would have to be ground level due to an old back injury. Apartments, duplexes, whatever; just a nice quiet spot to sleep, eat and watch a little TV. I'd prefer to live close to shops, etc. and possibly the bus lines. I'll be looking to work part time close to where I live. Regarding pets, I don't have one at this time, although I'd like the option of having a small dog or cat to keep me company. One more question: How expensive are the utilities? I'm on a fixed income. Thanks in advance for any advice you can offer!~

[ourrousehouse]

I'd recommend Clearwater Square Apartments. My mom lived there and I was really happy with management, maintenance, amenities, and safety. Mom was 62, disabled, and usually lived with me so I was extremely particular about where she chose to live when she moved out. It was close to the bus transit and walking distance to a lot of places. You might want to check if they have ground level because her apartment was on the lowest level, daylight basement level and had about 4 or 5 steps. No dogs allowed but cats are if they're leashed when outside, totally doable as we saw with one long-time resident's well-trained cat. Utilities weren't too bad but I'd call to double check with them. They have gas fireplaces in them so there's that heat source in addition to electric.

[M3 Mitch]

Just to think outside the box, there are a couple of apartment complexes in Benton City, they are right on the bus line, and BC is pretty walkable.

There are several older and more reasonably-priced apts in the block just north of the Safeway on George Washington Way in north Richland.

The rental market in TC is pretty tight, good luck.

[ruf1950]

Thanks for the responses, ourrousehouse and M3 Mitch! I'll check into your recommendations. 4 or 5 steps won't be an issue, so I'll check out Clearwater Square. I'll also look into Benton City and North Richland. Again, thanks a bunch for your valued input!.

[M3 Mitch]

Don't count out Kennewick, particularly downtown in the old part of town - I just don't go there as much and so know less about it. Parts of Pasco are fine too, some parts of East Pasco have a rough reputation, again I don't go there often so know less about it.

There are at least a few motels that will rent by the week or month as well, if you want to come house-hunting.

Good luck with whatever you come up with.

[ourrousehouse]

I would be more inclined to choose downtown Kennewick since they're trying to revamp the area, just don't go above 4th or below 19th on the East side. I like the downtown and have been really impressed with how safe its been in the downtown/river area of Kennewick for one of our rental properties, no break-ins, vandalism, or prowlers. There are short-term rental houses as well, you can PM me if you go that route.

[marknlaurel]

We just moved here from NM this week & we had a tough time finding a decent rental (lucked out though). Just learned that a wave of temporary contact workers (they're called outages) are starting up in Feb. Apparently it's a couple hundred of workers that start to trickle in starting in Feb that last for 6-8 months. They take up a lot of short-lease apartments & weekly hotels - making the rental market even tighter.

Best of luck to you!

[Grandmom]

We tried to find an affordable rental for my disabled Mom last Spring. There was nothing that she could afford, so we had to move her to Hermiston to live.