Bremerton? Kitsap? Relocation questions

[Ruth4Truth]

I'm considering returning to WA to somewhere outside of Seattle with affordable rents in non-corporate-owned housing (small SFH or apt.building). So far, reading apt. complex reviews for Silverdale, Bremerton, and Poulsbo, I'm getting a lot of bad reviews. Except Poulsbo, which has a couple of locally-owned complexes that get good reviews, but one is pretty expensive (esp. for what you get,according to reviewers), and the other, though reasonable ($1600 for 2 br.), is not spacious.

Also, I don't know where the "bad" areas are in Bremerton, so I'm flying blind. I found a SFH at 902 Washington Ave., but it looks to be near the corner of the crossing of two busy streets or arterials. I don't know if it's noisy, or safe. Could someone advise? I've seen homeless mentioned in this forum re: Bremerton. What areas should I avoid?

And for reference, West Seattle rents are way too high. Over $2000 for a 1 br. (I'm hoping to score a 2-br.)
Thanks, all!

[MtnSurfer]

Ruth, interesting to see you're considering moving back. From prior conversations, I seem to recall you're in the SW. I remember a while back you were even considering Monterey.

Regarding Poulsbo, I have a friend who retired there ~ 10 years ago from Monterey. It was more affordable for her to retire and buy a little home, at least at the time. She bought a duplex and rents out the front unit which also helps supplement her income. I believe it's just outside Poulsbo on the other side of the bay next to the water. I never asked her what she charges for rent.

That said, even for a local like herself, I don't know if she would know the details about the rental market there like the apartment complexes. I know very little about ours in Vancouver. Well, I know a little since our son and his wife currently have an apartment.

Derek

[Igor Blevin]

I lived in Poulsbo in 1980. I remember the "Ruptured Duck" bar when Pulsbo was rough and blue collar before it went Yuppie. Five us us sleeping on the floor in one trailer, in a trailer park called "Scandia Land." All the welfare people hanging out outside all day. I went back 10 years ago and it was all BMWs and Mercedes. In a trailer park!

That was a fun summer to be a young college tyke and going to Seattle or Canada every weekend.

[Diana Holbrook]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

Ruth, interesting to see you're considering moving back.

...snip...

That said, even for a local like herself, I don't know if she would know the details about the rental market there like the apartment complexes. I know very little about ours in Vancouver.
Derek

Yes, I'm with MtnSurfer on both counts! Ruth! Interesting that you might be coming back, and I wish I knew more about rentals in any of those areas.

Ruth... Where are you reading rental reviews? Just curious where to even recommend people look for that info.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Diana Holbrook

Yes, I'm with MtnSurfer on both counts! Ruth! Interesting that you might be coming back, and I wish I knew more about rentals in any of those areas.

Ruth... Where are you reading rental reviews? Just curious where to even recommend people look for that info.

Ive looked at C-list and also Apartments.com I think. I've only just begun the search process.


Oh, but the reviews? I take the name of an apt. complex, and Google it + "reviews" as a search term. Usually Yelp comes up, along with a couple of other review sites.

[MtnSurfer]

Ruth, I sent you a DM with more info from my friend who lives there. Bottom line is rents have really gone up in the past couple years.

Derek

[jabogitlu]

Any interest in further south (Shelton) or north (Coupeville/Oak Harbor)? Could open up more possibilities.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by jabogitlu

Any interest in further south (Shelton) or north (Coupeville/Oak Harbor)? Could open up more possibilities.

I need to be within an easy commute to Seattle.

[Hemlock140]

We are actively looking to buy in Poulsbo/Silverdale but perhaps Bremerton or Port Orchard. I have a co-worker in Bremerton who takes the ferry every day to the office, and he has helped identify the problem areas. His advice was to avoid the southern half of Bremerton, and the northern half of Port Orchard, especially the area where Walmart is located. From what we have found Poulsbo is the most desirable but of course, most expensive, and Silverdale has everything you could want or need, is less expensive, and just another 15 minutes longer to the Bainbridge Island ferry thru Poulsbo via Highway 3 and Finn Hill Rd. to 305.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

We are actively looking to buy in Poulsbo/Silverdale but perhaps Bremerton or Port Orchard. I have a co-worker in Bremerton who takes the ferry every day to the office, and he has helped identify the problem areas. His advice was to avoid the southern half of Bremerton, and the northern half of Port Orchard, especially the area where Walmart is located. From what we have found Poulsbo is the most desirable but of course, most expensive, and Silverdale has everything you could want or need, is less expensive, and just another 15 minutes longer to the Bainbridge Island ferry thru Poulsbo via Highway 3 and Finn Hill Rd. to 305.

OK, so from Silverdale, the best ferry route is via Bainbridge, rather than the Bremerton ferry? I was wondering about that, because it's clearly a shorter ferry ride from Bainbridge. Is the area around the ferry terminal in downtown Seattle safe, for catching transit?

Thanks so much for your info.