Moving to Seattle

[flashbacck]

It looks like I'll be moving to Seattle for a job at the Univ. Washington, probably in a month. I was in Seattle the other day to see my future workplace, but I didn't really get a good tour of the surrounding area. So... for those living in Seattle, what do you think of the neighborhoods surrounding UW? Any opinions on rent/quality/noise/etc? Any good apartment searching sites or papers?


12/20 update - signed lease! The place I got is 2-3 blocks east of Green Lake right next to the I-5 (around 65th and Ravenna).

 

[LeiZaK]

Bring an umbrella.

 

[chrisms]

I lived in the U district and did not like it personally. Lots of gangs, druggies, and beggars. If you are used to that sort of thing you'll be fine but it got annoying to me.

 

[Ameesh]

it really depends on what you want, what your budget is, how much of a commute you can handle, and if you want to rent or buy.

 

[Ricemarine]

Originally posted by: Ameesh
it really depends on what you want, what your budget is, how much of a commute you can handle, and if you want to rent or buy.

Along with where in Seattle the place he works is...

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: LeiZaK
Bring an umbrella.

Thanks for yet another worthless post.


As for the OP, look into Ballard/Freemont/Greenlake areas, they are close to UW and are very nice. I lived in Greenlake for a short time and its pretty nice there, I live in Alki now though.

 

[EvilYoda]

My friend lived in a really nice neighborhood...I think it was the northern region of Seattle? I'm trying to remember the name, but it was right next to the Cinerama. A bit more $$$, but it looked clean and more upscale than downtown.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Get ready for sticker shock. Food and clotheing are quite cheap but housing is triple the cost of housing in the South West.

 

[elektrolokomotive]

Originally posted by: EvilYoda
My friend lived in a really nice neighborhood...I think it was the northern region of Seattle? I'm trying to remember the name, but it was right next to the Cinerama. A bit more $$$, but it looked clean and more upscale than downtown.

Belltown.

 

[Mo0o]

If you wanna to move to a slightly less metropolitan area, Bellevue is nice and it's a VERY convenient bus ride away from the Udistrict. Although rent in bellevue is slightly higher. there's also plenty of housing all around Udistrict itself because of the students.


one good thing about seattle is that the bus system is relatively reliable so busing to and from work is quite a reasonable means of transportation.

 

[flashbacck]

thanks, I'll look into those neighborhoods. I think I'll just be renting for now.

Are there any good apartment search websites for seattle?

 

[DanTMWTMP]

damn, I just want to move up there for whistler! grrrr. But then again, I don't think I can ever see myself away from so. cal. Then again, my brother, and cousins are wanting to move up there. hmm.

 

[flashbacck]

Here's another random question, approx. how many days would it take to drive to seattle from los angeles?

 

[chrisms]

Originally posted by: flashbacck
Here's another random question, approx. how many days would it take to drive to seattle from los angeles?

2 days

 

[Zenmervolt]

Stay away from downtown. I just had my laptop stolen from my car tonight. (No, it was not visible from outside the vehicle, and the vehicle was in a lighted parking garage.)

I have to give points to whoever did it though, it was professional. No damage to the car, and the doors were still locked when I got back to it, even the alarm was still armed and un-triggered.

ZV

 

[sthaznpride17]

Ballard, and anything north of Seattle should be alright. I myself would suggest you try the Bellevue area (very very nice place) and take the bus. It took me 30 minutes to get to a UW lab I visted in the summer from Issaquah, which is farther than Bellevue.

 

[Mo0o]

Originally posted by: sthaznpride17
Ballard, and anything north of Seattle should be alright. I myself would suggest you try the Bellevue area (very very nice place) and take the bus. It took me 30 minutes to get to a UW lab I visted in the summer from Issaquah, which is farther than Bellevue.

yeah issaquah is a little too inconvenient to get to UW on a regular basis

 

[bingsoo]

While Bellevue is nice -- also considered the "rich neightborhood", depending on which part of bellevue ... bellevue is like the traffic magnet of the state! careful but if you're taking the bus, i guess that would help w/ the commute

405, both bridges are pretty bad for most of the day because of traffic! ugh

 

[Mo0o]

Originally posted by: bingsoo
While Bellevue is nice -- also considered the "rich neightborhood", depending on which part of bellevue ... bellevue is like the traffic magnet of the state! careful but if you're taking the bus, i guess that would help w/ the commute

405, both bridges are pretty bad for most of the day because of traffic! ugh

yeah, it's really gotten dreadful in recent years. but the bus gets teh HOV lane so its all good

 

[DaveSimmons]

Originally posted by: chrisms
I lived in the U district and did not like it personally. Lots of gangs, druggies, and beggars. If you are used to that sort of thing you'll be fine but it got annoying to me.

Same when I was living there for grad school last century and from what I read it's gotten worse not better.

Bellevue is nice, polite, quiet and a bit bland. Expect to pay $1,300+ to rent an apartment and $500K+ to buy a house. Belltown or other Seattle neighborhoods make more sense if you like urban night life that isn't tranquilized and tamed.

 

[jacob0401]

Originally posted by: flashbacck
Here's another random question, approx. how many days would it take to drive to seattle from los angeles?

18 hours straight...

 

[elektrolokomotive]

I work in downtown Seattle, and live in Puyallup. reasonable rent, but sort of far. Sounder FTW!

 

[jacob0401]

Originally posted by: DaveSimmons

Originally posted by: chrisms
I lived in the U district and did not like it personally. Lots of gangs, druggies, and beggars. If you are used to that sort of thing you'll be fine but it got annoying to me.

Same when I was living there for grad school last century and from what I read it's gotten worse not better.

Bellevue is nice, polite, quiet and a bit bland. Expect to pay $1,300+ to rent an apartment and $500K+ to buy a house. Belltown or other Seattle neighborhoods make more sense if you like urban night life that isn't tranquilized and tamed.

u district is not so nice, but it's small and limited area, just north and south you will find decent housing...better stuff across the lake in bellevue and other suburbs, but that invovles more of a commute.

 

[buck]

Originally posted by: elektrolokomotive
I work in downtown Seattle, and live in Puyallup. reasonable rent, but sort of far. Sounder FTW!

Ya, I work in Redmond and live on Alki in West Seattle. Traffic FTL...

 

[Aquaman]

Originally posted by: sthaznpride17
Ballard, and anything north of Seattle should be alright. I myself would suggest you try the Bellevue area (very very nice place) and take the bus. It took me 30 minutes to get to a UW lab I visted in the summer from Issaquah, which is farther than Bellevue.

Issaquah is nice...... I have a friend who lives there.......... would have visited longer if it had not been for the snow last week

Cheers,
Aquaman