Moving from Texas to Washington (Seattle, Spokane: apartments, rent, low crime)

[TY2012]

Hi all! I have been doing my research on Washington and checking out some areas that I might be interested in. I am looking to relocate to the great state of Washington and wanted to know if ya'll can help me out with some info. I am a single woman in my 30's and I am looking for a safe area to reside in. I know Washington is huge but I'm hoping ya'll can shed some light on what areas to avoid as far as high crime and super expensive areas. I am looking for either a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment that's no more than $1000/month. I hoping I can find a nice place around that price range. I have a 17 year daughter who might be coming with me depending on if she goes to college in Washington or if she will stay in Texas for college. The areas I'm looking at is Seatlle, Vancouver, Spokane, Richland, Olympia, Lakewood or Yakima. Thanks in advance for ya'lls help.

[Granny Fats]

Been there, done that, moved back to Texas and still trying to find a nice green place to settle. Now that I don't care about people, just about nature, I wanted to try that area again but am priced out.

You might not have the sticker shock and the "you are an outsider" element I encountered. People routinely mocked my accent to my face (you would be advised to drop the "y'all) and were very hostile about the truck I drove when I still had Texas Truck plates, but the lack of excellent jobs outside of Seattle and the overpriced housing, gas and food (this was when the BUBBLE was in full swing) and the completely unaffordable (to me) cost of the public universities was what sent me back to Texas, where my son attended an excellent state university on a shoestring. I found the Western Washington area very beautiful but very chilly in more ways than one. I think part of it was that local people were being inundated with a lot of "strangers" moving into the area and a lot of growth happening very quickly. There weren't enough jobs even for locals, and people were pouring in, so to speak, and houses were unaffordable for the children of long-time residents. There was resentment. I am seeing a bit of this happening in the boom town where I am now!!! Culture clash between old-timers and newcomers.

[Hemlock140]

Of the cities you mentioned, all but Seattle will have apartments in your rent range, but you will have to watch where they are within Lakewood and Yakima, which have some high crime neighborhoods. If you are willing to wait to establish residency and pay less tuition here, you might look at Ellensburg. Not only is the rent reasonable, and the Central WA University there, but it is probably the most comfortable city for former Texas residents, with it's western flair and rodeos.

[peaceloveandjulie]

LOL! I don't speak with even a slight Texas accent, don't drive a truck, I am pretty much an introvert and Texas drives me crazy. I guess I should do just fine in Washington.

[bad apples]

Originally Posted by peaceloveandjulie

LOL! I don't speak with even a slight Texas accent, don't drive a truck, I am pretty much an introvert and Texas drives me crazy. I guess I should do just fine in Washington.

It is more like cultish hermitism in the northwest, even an introvert can feel awkward around those folks.

[texasdiver]

Scratch Yakima from your list. You can get the same exact effect as Yakima by moving to Abilene and not even leave Texas. Same thing for Richland. You can get the same exact suburban sprawl amidst the tumbleweeds by moving to west Texas.

Vancouver is basically a suburb of Portland. If you are considering Vancouver then you should really look at the whole Portland area. Lots of other suburbs around Portland that are nicer and more convenient than Vancouver and that will have better employment prospects.

Lakewood is a part of the Tacoma area. No reason to limit yourself to Lakewood. there are a lot of decent areas to live in the greater Tacoma area.

Seattle itself is pretty expensive. But there is an endless ring of suburbs from Federal Way in the south to Lynwood in the north that are reasonable places to consider. But commuting in the Seattle area can be brutal so probably best to find employment first then look for a permanent place to live somewhere reasonably close.

You didn't list any of the cities north of Seattle. If you are considering Olympia then you should also look at Bellingham which is similar sized and nicer in some ways with a good university for your daughter.

Basically for someone in your position, any of the cities along Puget Sound from Olympia in the south to Bellingham in the north are going to suit. Go where the jobs are and the rest will fall into place.

[Granny Fats]

Originally Posted by peaceloveandjulie

LOL! I don't speak with even a slight Texas accent, don't drive a truck, I am pretty much an introvert and Texas drives me crazy. I guess I should do just fine in Washington.

So wearing. *sigh*

[bad apples]

Originally Posted by texasdiver

Scratch Yakima from your list. You can get the same exact effect as Yakima by moving to Abilene and not even leave Texas. Same thing for Richland. You can get the same exact suburban sprawl amidst the tumbleweeds by moving to west Texas.

Vancouver is basically a suburb of Portland. If you are considering Vancouver then you should really look at the whole Portland area. Lots of other suburbs around Portland that are nicer and more convenient than Vancouver and that will have better employment prospects.

Lakewood is a part of the Tacoma area. No reason to limit yourself to Lakewood. there are a lot of decent areas to live in the greater Tacoma area.

Seattle itself is pretty expensive. But there is an endless ring of suburbs from Federal Way in the south to Lynwood in the north that are reasonable places to consider. But commuting in the Seattle area can be brutal so probably best to find employment first then look for a permanent place to live somewhere reasonably close.

You didn't list any of the cities north of Seattle. If you are considering Olympia then you should also look at Bellingham which is similar sized and nicer in some ways with a good university for your daughter.

Basically for someone in your position, any of the cities along Puget Sound from Olympia in the south to Bellingham in the north are going to suit. Go where the jobs are and the rest will fall into place.

I agree Yakima isn't much different than Texas with the exception of cold dark winters and mountains. They also have Salmon, trout and Elk.

[PS90]

Originally Posted by Granny Fats

People routinely mocked my accent to my face (you would be advised to drop the "y'all) and were very hostile about the truck I drove when I still had Texas Truck plates

This is really a tangent from the oroginal topic here, but one of my colleague's husband is from Georgia. He is as "good ol' boy" as they get - has a very thick accent, is really into duck hunting, talks about Southern food and giggin' frogs (seriously) - I asked specifically if he had experienced any of this resentment, and said he didn't know what I was talking about. According to him, people are as nice or nicer than Georgians and no one has made him feel out-of-place.

I can't say for sure, but there may be different regions of the state that are more accepting of certain things than others?

[Tall Traveler]

Originally Posted by TY2012

Hi all! I have been doing my research on Washington and checking out some areas that I might be interested in. I am looking to relocate to the great state of Washington and wanted to know if ya'll can help me out with some info. I am a single woman in my 30's and I am looking for a safe area to reside in. I know Washington is huge but I'm hoping ya'll can shed some light on what areas to avoid as far as high crime and super expensive areas. I am looking for either a 1 or 2 bedroom apartment that's no more than $1000/month. I hoping I can find a nice place around that price range. I have a 17 year daughter who might be coming with me depending on if she goes to college in Washington or if she will stay in Texas for college. The areas I'm looking at is Seatlle, Vancouver, Spokane, Richland, Olympia, Lakewood or Yakima. Thanks in advance for ya'lls help.

I lived in Texas for 10 years then moved to live in the PNW in Portland, Richland, & Seattle. Taking by cities:

Seattle - If you like city life, it's the city up here but it is expensive and you just have to make more and get a more expensive apartment to enjoy it.

Vancouver - I like it with the added benefit that you have Portland right there.

Spokane - Nice city but does get a bit cold in the winter with plenty of snow. Downside is jobs don't pay that great and there's a large meth population according to many I know that lived there.

Richland - Desert area (it's brown and not green here) that is nice with rivers and hills. Relatively inexpensive and some good jobs due to Hanford DOE site. Also very low crime rate here.

Olympia - I think this might be a good bet as it has the PNW qualities but not too expensive and you're not far from Tacoma & Seattle.

Lakewood - basically a suburb. I think there are other suburbs that would be as good or better choices.

Yakima - A bit of a depressed area and crime is a bit higher. I would not recommend Yakima.