Posted: 5/17/2026 1:55:24 AM EDT
[Last Edit: UIVandal][Edited]
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Our son graduated from college here in CO on 14 May and accepted a job offer the next day with a company located off of West Marginal Way in Seattle, near Puget Park. He's looking for a 1bd/1ba apartment in/around that area and his budget is $1700-ish per month. He has a reliable vehicle so a bit of a commute is OK. Any suggestions on where to look? Mom and I would prefer a non-sketchy area! It sure has been an eventful week for our son! He's a good conservative thinking young man so WA will add another voter opposing the dems in WA. Unfortunately, CO is losing a good conservative thinking young man to oppose the dems in CO. Thanks in advance. |
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I'm guessing he has school loans to pay back (hopefully nothing else) I suggest he look at getting into a condo instead of renting. At least he would not be giving his $1,700 a month away. Driving around here takes time, but is faster than public transit; unless he can work from transit then maybe he can open his search area. Good luck and welcome. |
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Originally Posted By FS-FNRL: I'm guessing he has school loans to pay back (hopefully nothing else) I suggest he look at getting into a condo instead of renting. At least he would not be giving his $1,700 a month away. Driving around here takes time, but is faster than public transit; unless he can work from transit then maybe he can open his search area. Good luck and welcome. Thankfully, no student loans. My wife and I set up a 529 plan for him when he was 6 months old, contributed to it on a regular basis, and those $$ were enough to pay for his degree. Thanks for the tips! |
Phil_is_Sleeping. Patent Pending © ™ ®
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Bring a like minded right thinking roommate? And is that $1700 all in or $1700 utilities, water, sewer, parking" It adds up fast He's bringing a car do not underestimate parking issues My current place I have a paid spot but the complex has plenty of parking except every time the block off a third at a time for sealcoating days, the overlap is a real pain. I spent damn near 20 years fighting for on street parking that was rough. Its been darn near 30 years but when we first got here we lived in Burien rented sight unseen, from across the country \; found out later they listed it as a Seattle address but it was Burien. just looked that place up, 1br starts at $1500. they've clearly updated the units and complex but I'll guarantee its still not great |
Not_in_Seattle
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Originally Posted By Phil_in_Seattle: Bring a like minded right thinking roommate? And is that $1700 all in or $1700 utilities, water, sewer, parking" It adds up fast He's bringing a car do not underestimate parking issues My current place I have a paid spot but the complex has plenty of parking except every time the block off a third at a time for sealcoating days, the overlap is a real pain. I spent damn near 20 years fighting for on street parking that was rough. Its been darn near 30 years but when we first got here we lived in Burien rented sight unseen, from across the country \; found out later they listed it as a Seattle address but it was Burien. just looked that place up, 1br starts at $1500. they've clearly updated the units and complex but I'll guarantee its still not great No roommate although one of his current roommates here in CO is moving back to WA as well, but is going back to his mom's basement. You are right on the water/sewer/trash/parking. I noticed some places include all but the parking in the rent while some don't. I threw an idea out to him about maybe renting a furnished place for a month or two. That way he could just put what minimal stuff he has in storage and take a little more time looking for a more "permanent" palce. |
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Originally Posted By UIVandal: (snip) You are right on the water/sewer/trash/parking. I noticed some places include all but the parking in the rent while some don't. (snip) The city of Seattle passed a law a few years ago requiring parking to be charged separately from rent, so that people who don’t have cars won’t be penalized. Or something like that. I haven’t looked, but I suspect that generally speaking, Burien will be less expensive than Seattle. Former neighbors of mine just moved to Burien, to be closer to work. They found a spacious townhouse and seem very happy with it. I think they are renting, but don’t know for certain. ETA: White Center can be sketchy; I would be careful looking there. West Seattle is overall pretty nice, but rents may tend to be higher than Burien. These are generalized impressions; there may be exceptions. |
“War is a racket….”
Smedley D. Butler, Maj.-Gen., USMC
Smedley D. Butler, Maj.-Gen., USMC
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Parking in Seattle is a PITA and can cost 20.00 a day in some places unless he has free parking at work. I would stay out of King County and the Seattle area. He could live anywhere South like Puyallup or Auburn. He could take the Sounder (train) to work and some employers even pay for it. |
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Originally Posted By Cops66: Parking in Seattle is a PITA and can cost 20.00 a day in some places unless he has free parking at work. I would stay out of King County and the Seattle area. He could live anywhere South like Puyallup or Auburn. He could take the Sounder (train) to work and some employers even pay for it. Commute from hell from Puyallup. I'd probably look around white center and try and find something not too shitty until he's been there long enough to figure where he wants go. Rents expensive, no way around it. |
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Thanks to all for the advice. I forwarded your suggestions to look south of his work location. And, he rented a place to the north in Belltown instead. He found a studio apt, with a loft, for about $2100 with garage parking included. More than I thought he was willing to pay, but he’s an adult and it’s his decision. Thanks again. |
Phil_is_Sleeping. Patent Pending © ™ ®
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Originally Posted By MrZeat: Commute from hell from Puyallup. I'd probably look around white center and try and find something not too shitty until he's been there long enough to figure where he wants go. Rents expensive, no way around it. That’s why I said take the Sounder |
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Originally Posted By Phil_in_Seattle: Belltown? Okeee dokeee Thats in the thick of the shit I used to work there, about 25-30 years ago, and also before that, about 35 years ago. It was the hippest, most hoppin’ hipster place back then. Lots of sushi restaurants and martini bars. A patient of mine was an undercover narcotics cop back then- he said it was a big drug dealer area. I used to notice that there were a lot of people on the street who looked like they didn’t live there, and mentioned that to him. He validated that observation. I haven’t really kept up with it since, though. Now I think the pervasive drug problem is pretty much the case all over Seattle, so that’s the way it is. Like you said, OP, it’s his choice. He’ll probably end up fine. Best wishes to him. From what you’ve said, it sounds like he will probably figure things out. |
“War is a racket….”
Smedley D. Butler, Maj.-Gen., USMC
Smedley D. Butler, Maj.-Gen., USMC
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Originally Posted By TigerForce: I used to work there, about 25-30 years ago, and also before that, about 35 years ago. It was the hippest, most hoppin’ hipster place back then. Lots of sushi restaurants and martini bars. A patient of mine was an undercover narcotics cop back then- he said it was a big drug dealer area. I used to notice that there were a lot of people on the street who looked like they didn’t live there, and mentioned that to him. He validated that observation. I haven’t really kept up with it since, though. Now I think the pervasive drug problem is pretty much the case all over Seattle, so that’s the way it is. Like you said, OP, it’s his choice. He’ll probably end up fine. Best wishes to him. From what you’ve said, it sounds like he will probably figure things out. Originally Posted By TigerForce: Originally Posted By Phil_in_Seattle: Belltown? Okeee dokeee Thats in the thick of the shit I used to work there, about 25-30 years ago, and also before that, about 35 years ago. It was the hippest, most hoppin’ hipster place back then. Lots of sushi restaurants and martini bars. A patient of mine was an undercover narcotics cop back then- he said it was a big drug dealer area. I used to notice that there were a lot of people on the street who looked like they didn’t live there, and mentioned that to him. He validated that observation. I haven’t really kept up with it since, though. Now I think the pervasive drug problem is pretty much the case all over Seattle, so that’s the way it is. Like you said, OP, it’s his choice. He’ll probably end up fine. Best wishes to him. From what you’ve said, it sounds like he will probably figure things out. Yea back in the 80’s/ early 90’s is when the crack came up via I5 from LA and started it all. |
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Originally Posted By TigerForce: Now I think the pervasive drug problem is pretty much the case all over Seattle, so that’s the way it is. While it is everywhere, the big addict/homeless problem is centered in 3 spots these days. Same people but the city has no solution so they play wack a mole and move them around. Belltown, Chinatown and SODO. OP, keep in mind that the city has cleaned things up for the World Cup coming. Saw some local journalists went over to Bremerton talking to homeless with their tents alongside the roads. They'd just gotten shipped over from Seattle. So what may look clean today won't be in a couple months as they migrate back. For that matter the 3 places I named above change on a weekly basis. |
Phil_is_Sleeping. Patent Pending © ™ ®
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I'll be interested to hear what he thinks after he's here and been living there for a bit. One of the first stops I suggest is the King County Courthouse gundesk for a CPL application. Get your non-resident one when you visit; it's still shall issue |
Not_in_Seattle
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Originally Posted By Phil_in_Seattle: I'll be interested to hear what he thinks after he's here and been living there for a bit. One of the first stops I suggest is the King County Courthouse gundesk for a CPL application. Get your non-resident one when you visit; it's still shall issue We’re a couple of weeks from making the move. I talked with him yesterday and asked if he was excited or scared about moving. His answer was “Both”. It certainly will be interesting to get his take on living in Seattle. I know, after growing up on a farm in BFE Idaho, that moving to Tacoma for four years from ages 18 - 22 was definitely an eye opener for me. First stop is the DMV for a WA driver’s license, vehicle registration/plates and insurance. Unlike me, he’s not into firearms. At least real ones. Now in video games, that’s a different story. So a CPL probably isn’t going to happen. |
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Originally Posted By UIVandal: We're a couple of weeks from making the move. I talked with him yesterday and asked if he was excited or scared about moving. His answer was "Both". It certainly will be interesting to get his take on living in Seattle. I know, after growing up on a farm in BFE Idaho, that moving to Tacoma for four years from ages 18 - 22 was definitely an eye opener for me. First stop is the DMV for a WA driver's license, vehicle registration/plates and insurance. Unlike me, he's not into firearms. At least real ones. Now in video games, that's a different story. So a CPL probably isn't going to happen. |
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| Just supposed to be done within 30 days, don't sweat it too much. I'd personally drag out getting new plates as long as possible especially if existing are not expired, it won't be cheap in Seattle. YMMV. I dont think you need anything with WSP for a regular titled car already in your name, just bring the paper title (or just registration if you still have a lien) to the vehicle registration office. |
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As mentioned, $1700 will only get you a dump in a not so good area of Seattle. Since his job will be north of downtown AND trying to find any apartment under $2000 in the northern areas doesn’t look too promising either. White Center would be a good option and finding an older/smaller apartment within the given price range is more likely. White Center isn’t the same White Center from the 1970s to the 2000s and my brother lives there and IMHO, it’s basically safe… As it relates to any metro area across the country… I’m born and raised in Seattle, but due to my careers, I lived and worked in some rough areas…. Brooklyn/Manhattan and Newark, NJ… So! What I consider rough May be questionable. Living in Seattle can be a pain, but White Center is on the southwest corner of the city so, that is a plus. I no longer live in Seattle, but within 45 mins of the place and everybody I know has either move out of Seattle, to one of the many surrounding areas, trying to move out or simply too old to move. I wish your son good luck with his move and job in Seattle, but understand that we’re good people, but tend not to be too warm and fuzzy, so do not take offense if people seem cold and stand-off-ish at first, but we tend to warm up in a little… If you’re cool and not a dick. Also!! If you son is truly a conservative, tell him to remove any stickers/decals off his car if it can be even slightly seen/interpreted as being conservative… Just to be on the safe side since too many Leftist nut job will key or smash in the windows… Just one of the realities of living in the Seattle area. |
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Late Update: Well, I gave him a bunch of everyone's suggestions to no avail. He rented a studio loft apartment in Belltown. I helped him move from Golden CO in a 20' UHaul truck pulling a car trailer with his Xterra on board. Three day uneventfuil trip with overnight stops in Evanston WY, Ontario OR and then finally in Seattle. His apartment is within walking distance to the Space Needle and all the other stuff downtown Seattle has to offer. I think he's in an OK location with secure underground parking and gated entrance to his apartment. One think I don't really care for is that his apartment is on the ground floor of the bldg. Overall rent, including having to pay for parking, is a little over $2000 per month. He knew going in that it was going to be expensive. Maybe after his lease is up he'll be open to a bit of Dad's advice and find a place in a better neighborhood. His job is very intersting and he gets to do different things practically every day. He actually gets to use his ME degre solving problems that he is given by his boss. I'm glad all the classes he took are actually paying off! Thanks to everyone for your suggestions. |