Cheap yet safe areas of Seattle (Tacoma, Olympia: apartments, to rent, house)

[portlanderinOC]

So my friend in Seattle offered me to move up, and said he would pay the first 3 months of rent, and after that we'd split it. He's still looking for a flat and I'm going up there in June to help him find a good place. We're thinking we want something in the city of Seattle. We don't mind moving further out as long as there's a park-n-ride in the area and quick buses to Downtown. Our budget is between $500-$1000/mo, which probably won't get us much. We're thinking about maybe renting a room in a board house in the U District.
I will hopefully have enough money saved up to live without a job for a couple of months. Are there any tips on finding a good job in Seattle? Most of my experience is in retail.

[Hemlock140]

If that $500-$1000/mo is each, you should do OK. If it's together, you will find the search like looking for hen's teeth. That's about what you pay for an old studio in the sketchy parts of the city. Of course, our worst areas are a lot better than the bad areas of southern CA so you might be OK there.

Probably the nearest areas would be over an hour commute by car, longer by bus with transfers. I do know of people taking the bus from Tacoma and even Olympia to work in Seattle because that's where they can afford to rent. Retail jobs come open in April-May as companies get ready for the summer tourist season. Once the cruise ships start to call in June, they are usually pretty much finished hiring,
but there are always additional jobs as people move or finish college.

[portlanderinOC]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

If that $500-$1000/mo is each, you should do OK. If it's together, you will find the search like looking for hen's teeth. That's about what you pay for an old studio in the sketchy parts of the city. Of course, our worst areas are a lot better than the bad areas of southern CA so you might be OK there.

Probably the nearest areas would be over an hour commute by car, longer by bus with transfers. I do know of people taking the bus from Tacoma and even Olympia to work in Seattle because that's where they can afford to rent. Retail jobs come open in April-May as companies get ready for the summer tourist season. Once the cruise ships start to call in June, they are usually pretty much finished hiring,
but there are always additional jobs as people move or finish college.

Thanks for the info.
I know that Northgate has a pretty good park-n-ride, what is rent like up there?

[krieger00]

I really can not help you but I will say good luck :.ok:

I was going to say 500 month you would be better buying your self a nice tent so you can sleep in the Jungle is a greenbelt on the western slope of Beacon Hill in Seattle that is known for its homeless encampments and crime.

[AmFest]

Originally Posted by portlanderinOC

So my friend in Seattle offered me to move up, and said he would pay the first 3 months of rent, and after that we'd split it. He's still looking for a flat and I'm going up there in June to help him find a good place. We're thinking we want something in the city of Seattle. We don't mind moving further out as long as there's a park-n-ride in the area and quick buses to Downtown. Our budget is between $500-$1000/mo, which probably won't get us much. We're thinking about maybe renting a room in a board house in the U District.

Green Lake will be perfect for you.

Originally Posted by portlanderinOC

I will hopefully have enough money saved up to live without a job for a couple of months. Are there any tips on finding a good job in Seattle? Most of my experience is in retail.

Join organizations and meetup groups. Meet people. Have business cards ready. Prepare an elevator pitch. Then profit

[portlanderinOC]

Originally Posted by krieger00

I really can not help you but I will say good luck :.ok:

I was going to say 500 month you would be better buying your self a nice tent so you can sleep in the Jungle is a greenbelt on the western slope of Beacon Hill in Seattle that is known for its homeless encampments and crime.

Yeah my friends warned me about that place, I ain't touching it with a 50 foot pole.

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by portlanderinOC

Thanks for the info.
I know that Northgate has a pretty good park-n-ride, what is rent like up there?

Northgate has a full range, minimum $850-$1,000 for studio, $1,300 1 br, $1,500 2 br. Same as most of Seattle. The most desirable areas like Ballard and Capital Hill, Queen Anne and Magnolia are higher yet. The less expensive areas are south of town along the light rail, such as Beacon Hill, Othello, and Rainier Beach.

[Inkpoe]

Look to Seatac, right off of 176th and 32nd-- and that general area. There's a bunch of apartments there, the range start at $550 (for a loft) and up. It's a good starting location, up the hill from the airport and the lightrail station. There are also buses coming and going just about all day. Get yourself an apartment there, get established then move onto a better area.