My son is moving to Seattle in two weeks with a new job. He’s not taking a car. His office is in downtown Seattle and he’d like to be within a 30 minute walk to work. He’s a huge fan of public transportation so having that option would be good too. He was first looking at University City but is now leaning towards Belltown because that seems to have a preponderance of newer apartment buildings. He would like a building built after 1985 due to new building codes that took affect then. His top price is $1600 but would, of course, like to pay less. Looking for a one bedroom. This would just be for his first year while he acclimates himself to the area. He’s in a tech field and Belltown seems to be a popular place for people like him. Is Belltown a good choice? He has a place to stay until October but will have to find a place quickly once he gets there, but does not just want to rent it sight unseen.
Hmmmm…Belltown…very trendy. Downtown living. Or…maybe uptown, depending. When I was a student, that was an area you carefully skirted if you wanted to get to Pike Place Market.
From what I’ve seen, most any residential buildings now have their own web site complete with lots of images.
By “University City”, did you possibly mean “University District”? There is an area around City University downtown, but it’s not really big enough to have gotten a name from anyone except a building owner or two yet.
That price is going to be difficult. I would stay away from 3rd and below (sketchy neighborhood) - stick to 4th and 5th avenues - anywhere from Denny to downtown should be fine.
I’m sure you are right JustOneDad, probably University District. I haven’t really looked closely at the area and have never been to Seattle. Will suggest that area kiddie. Thanks.
This one looks great to me. http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_rent/Belltown-Seattle-WA/condo,apartment_duplex_type/5XjWDh_bldg/271808_rid/47.647291,-122.320533,47.598292,-122.432113_rect/13_zm/ Boy, there are some really expensive places there! My other two kids live in large city’s and have similar choices, but it sure is crazy.
University District is pretty hip, but has a lot of undergraduates and there are other areas just as livable and exciting for a young person. The U District (Univ of Wash) would be a public transit commute - certainly doable within the parameters supplied above.
What’s the big difference between the U District and Belltown? One thing I’m sure he wants to avoid is student housing areas, which would seem much more likely in the U District.
The U District isn’t near downtown-that’s the main difference, though light rail will soon be operating between the two to make it an easy commute.That cap on his price range is going to be a problem for downtown, though. I’d suggest Capital Hill, as many young hipsters are moving in-lots of new buildings, very trendy, but again, price will be an issue. There’s also S. Lake Union, but that too, will be expensive. I’m going to suggest he look at Georgetown, an industrial-hipster place with lots young people, easy to get downtown, but not overpriced too much…yet. Or maybe Beacon Hill-used to be mostly Asian and Boeing retirees, but many new condos going up and right on the light rail line. Lots to do, proximity to both bus and light rail. Some pretty great views. Other young people I know live in West Seattle, but transportation can be an issue to get downtown. It’s doable but not in a very convenient way. Lots of options in the end-there’s a lot of public transportation here-ferries, light rail, buses, even a street car in some areas. He won’t need a car really at all-and if he does, he can use the rent-by-the-hour kind like Cars to Go or Zipcar.
$1600 is going to be rough, perhaps a studio?
U District is getting pretty sketchy, especially at night. And it’s not walking distance from downtown. I second Capital Hill and Broadway. But Capital Hill is getting dangerous these days also. How about lower Queen Ann? Belltown near Whole Foods looks good but I heard Amazon employees are pushing the rent up around there.
Good luck.
He’ll be lucky to get a studio, and a small one at that, for $1600 in the downtown area.
The north-south bus lines are pretty good. Maybe Fremont, Ballard, or Greenlake?
He can plug in the origin and destination on this county transit website and get a good idea of commute times and bus frequency:
D and SIL just rented a studio around 400 sqft Capitol Hill. Had a friend in the town check it out for them. About $1300. Older apt. Public transport to work downtown. Has a car that they like for shopping and weekend getaways. Honestly the lowest price decent area they could find. Very competitive.
Found it I think on Zillow.
Just returned from Seattle today and stayed on 4th. My DIL’s cousin lives in Wallingford and there is a bus on her street to downtown. This is a nice area with apartments in homes, if he is interested.
Otherwise, he really does not need to be near UW or any college at all. Queen Ann’s is where I know other young people to live.
We found this apartment complex in Belltown. The biggest negative seems to be lack of ac. Do you need ac in Seattle? http://www.essexapartmenthomes.com/washington/seattle-area/seattle/fountain-court
This summer you needed AC in Seattle - usually you don’t (record number of hot days this year) - however, only a small percentage of apartments in Seattle have AC (have heard many different number but it is low) the newer buildings will have AC. I have been told that some apartment buildings have AC in the public areas but not the apartments themselves.
Yes, when you look someplace like apartments.com and it says they have AC, you still need to ask if the units actually have AC.
@walkinghome for $100 more a month…I’d go for the 1 bedroom. Can he pay $1700?
Are you talking about in the past, or …in the future?
I have a few nieces and nephews that live and work in that area. The norm in that area seems to be to find a roommate. They all have solid jobs, but live with 1-3 other people to keep costs down. Like many city areas, living in a safe, well-kept area close to downtown is pricey.