Safe Apartments in Kent (Seattle, Bellevue: buying, place to live, move to)

[trojansarah]

Hi Everyone. We are considering a move to the Kent area early spring (June or so). We're planning on buying in the winter once we become more familiar with the area, so we need to find a short term apartment in the Kent area. Like most cities, there are good and bad parts of any city, but since we'll be new to the area, we're not sure which areas to steer clear of. I've been researching apartment communities online and narrowed down some based on reviews I found, but was hoping Kent residents could tell me more about the following apartments: Signature Pointe, Kentbrooke, and Wandering Creek. Or if you have any other suggestions I'm not including?

We don't need much when it comes to looking for an apartment, we just need a studio or one bedroom with a w/d and is a dog friendly community (we have two small dogs).

Thank you in advance!

[lightning31]

Kent is in flux at the moment trying to find it's identity. It's really growing fast because of its proximity and good transit connections to the city. It's a hodge-podge of nice new things next to not so nice things. Because Seattle proper is becoming so expensive there is a ton of middle class flight out from the inner south-end suburbs of Seattle to Kent. It's very diverse.

Of the ones you posted, Signature Pointe is probably the nicest with the most amenities. Wandering Creek is in an ok area but I know nothing about it. If you were commuting to Seattle, Signature Pointe would be a good place to live. If you were commuting up to the Eastside to Bellevue then Wandering Creek would be good because you could take the backroads up through the Renton Highlands and bypass 405 traffic altogether.

[trojansarah]

Thank you for your response. My husband will actually be working in Kent so commute isn't a concern. I thought Signature looked the nicest but pictures can certainly be deceiving. It's hard trying to find a safe and nice place when you are thousands of miles away so I really appreciate your suggestions. Thank you again!