Planning to move from CA to WA, could use advice (first move) (Seattle: low income, apartments)

[Justaguy85]

Hello, I was hoping to get some advice on moving out to WA, I was planning in or near lacey mainly due to it being less expensive then other places (that I could find at least,) I want to be near the west coast then towards the east, probably no farther east then Kent and no lower then Yakima.
I am single, about 30, I make around 1,500. a month (might be higher depending if my job will transfer me to the manager position) and pretty basic guy, I prefer the colder climate (lived in North Dakota for a few years) and just can't afford living alone in Cali.

Any advice is welcome.

I have seen apartments go for around 750 a month, is that accurate? Anything I should be aware of in Washington when compared to California?

[msmello]

Just wanted to give you a shout out. I am moving from the San Francisco Bay Area to Yelm on the 29th of this month. This forum is jumping with information and active posters. I'm sure someone will come along and reply.

[Fat Freddy]

Originally Posted by Justaguy85

...I make around 1,500. a month...Anything I should be aware of in Washington when compared to California?

On $1500 a month, you will be just as poor in Washington as you were in California.

[MarciaMarshaMarcia]

I hate to break it to you, especially if you are young, but people are as mean-spirited in Washington as they are in California...maybe moreso.

[Harrier]

Originally Posted by Justaguy85

I want to be near the west coast then towards the east, probably no farther east then Kent and no lower then Yakima.

Yakima is well east of Kent.

Shoot, the only categories that you can put them both in are valleys and crime rates.

[Sandy Nelson]

You should have no problem finding a one-bedroom apartment for $750 a month in the Lacey/Olympia area.
I've seen some apartments in West Olympia for $650.

Best of luck with your move.

[Hemlock140]

It will be hard to manage on $1,500/month with rent at half of your income. Unless you get out into the areas to the east of the mountains like Yakima, the cost of living is not like CA but close. You won't have much left for food, entertainment, utilities, insurance, taxes, clothes, car and repairs. I'd recommend spending no more than about $600 on rent. In Yakima that's possible but hard to find, in Kent or anywhere west of the mountains, it means sharing with room mates.

[Justaguy85]

Thanks for the replies so far, I am tough skinned so mean people won't really effect me. That is what I am making here, I would be making more (something near 12-15 an hr and at 40+ hrs) in Washington, I own my own car so I am free from payments at least, Can anyone from the area give me an idea of the electric bill? I heard they get pretty bad.

[Hemlock140]

We have a 3,000 sf house and the gas/electric in winter can run over $300. Electricity is actually pretty cheap here due to the availability of hydro, but it does get cold in winter, we are east of Seattle at 600' elevation and got down to 10F last winter.

Yakima will average in the 20s in the colder months. For a small apartment, you are probably looking at $75 if you have electric heat but then you don't get the break we do in summer, you need AC there with the summer being around 90.
In Kent, Lacey/Olympia the electric bills should be lower with milder temperatures.

[CrazyDonkey]

You could look a little further west and find even cheaper digs - there is currently a 1 Bdrm 500sqft apartment in Shelton for $525 listed in Craigslist:

https://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/apa/4577678260.html

There's a studio for $500:

https://seattle.craigslist.org/oly/apa/4606047080.html

Also, your income should qualify you for apartments that receive a state tax credit or participate in the Community Trade Bond Program for offering affordable rents. For a listing of such apartments, see:

aptfinder | Low Income Housing at AptFinder.org

For instance, the Appian Way Apartments in Kent have 1 Bdrms for $430 to $695. There is a waiting list of 1 to 3 months.

The Berneva Apartments in Seattle (Capitol Hill) has studio apartments for $495 to $673. Currently there is no waiting list.

Good luck. Nothing wrong with trying to improve your life.