Rents in Seattle are sky high - your $1500-2000 will not get you much - unless you apartment share as suggested above. When my daughter spent 6 months at Amazon in Seattle she chose a place which was basically walkable (or a quick bus ride - although the wait for the bus could be longer than the ride most days). She paid this amount for a one room furnished apartment (basically a hotel room) and that was the cheapest option I could find where she was living alone (and that was in 2015 so rents will be higher now).
One more thing to think about - Seattle wakes up late compared to Chicago. Before 6 am I can drive from my house to SLU in about 30 minutes and it is almost 20 miles. It would be under an hour at 7 but build quickly after that. His commute in from South Kirkland (nice area) would be 30 minutes by bus and walking if he gets on a bus before about 7.
One of S1’s old roommates graduated last year and got a studio apartment in SODO, $1600 per month. That is considered a good deal.
“His commute in from South Kirkland (nice area) would be 30 minutes by bus and walking if he gets on a bus before about 7.”
Even during peak times, that bus ride will not take much longer because it takes the toll bridge that many enthusiastically avoid ($4 to cross, duh!) with dedicated bus lanes. To illustrate the point, it took me less than 20 minutes to get from the University St tunnel to South Kirkland last night - by bus. It was so rainy and windy I decided it was not worth it to wait for a surface bus. The other park and ride, in downtown Kirkland, was less than 10 min away, including all stops. There are tons of apartments there, and more is coming soon. As the bus was passing the downtown area, I noticed that the little cafes and art studios were buzzing with life - lots of young people were eating, socializing, drinking wine and painting. Sounds like a place a young person might enjoy. I asked baby kiddo what her take on that area was, and she gave it two enthusiastic thumbs up. She said it was second to Capitol Hill/Seattle U area in “coolness” but without the noise.
My son has a 2 bedroom apartment in Wallingford in a 2-unit building for under $2000. Older building, some quirks, but the apartment has plenty of space. So the $1500-$2000 target is very doable – the problem is that it’s a lot easier for someone who lives in the city, knows the area, and can spend several weeks or even a couple of months looking. That’s why I think it makes sense to look for shared housing to start.
It’s true that it’s much easier to find a place to live that is better suited to one’s requirements when one is living in or near the desired area and shared housing can be a good way to start. If one is moving furniture and other items, it can seem rather burdensome to move into shared housing for awhile during the search for a better place, but it’s always a tradeoff.
Thanks, shared housing is a great practical idea but not one DS is likely to embrace.
Can he stay in a short term rental while apartment-hunting?
Sent you a PM. Son there and Amazon had a good relocation package. They had a car and apartment for him until he found his own apartment and his stuff/car arrived. No payback since he stayed more than a year. So much easier once there to figure things out. When we were in Seattle the traffic in that area was horrific after 10:am- no mid day lull!
Yes, traffic is horrible. The bodies of water that make Seattle so lovely also limit traffic routes.
If only we could drive across Lake Washington, Lake Union or the Montlake Cut without being squeezed onto bridges or major arterials! Where’s that flying Jetsons’ vehicle when I need it?!
I wonder what happened to that guy who used to paddleboard across the lake to work… 
btw- the area around Amazon is walkable to water and greenery. He may find he doesn’t need suburban style living once he’s there. Vibrant area for young people.
DS interviewed Wednesday onsite and got a call late today that they’ll be making an offer!!! So I’m sure I’ll be back for more advice once he gets the details. He really doesn’t like the idea of urban living!
Yay!!! CONGRATS!!! I am keeping my fingers crossed for my kiddo. Deep breath, BB!
DS accepted the offer today - really nice and great career advancement. Also generous relocation package includes a “destination services consultant” so I’m off the hook I guess. I’ve enjoyed getting up to speed on the various neighborhoods and appreciate all the advice.
Congratulations to your son!
Congrats!!! Having a consultant who is not his parent is a huge help.
Just got back from Seattle - flew to Chicago and helped DS drive from there, settle into his temporary short term (24th floor) apartment, and locate a permanent place. He found a really nice unit in lower Queen Anne just west of the Seattle Center. After seeing the traffic, construction, and maze of streets, he decided walking distance was a priority. His building is not suburban feel but also is not among offices and stores, and less than 15 minutes walk from his office. He’s nervous about starting from scratch in an unknown city, but getting excited about all the festivals and such happening so close at the Seattle Center.
I really enjoyed my brief visit to the city and hope to see more of the heart of Queen Anne in subsequent trips.
Being walking distance to the Seattle Center is great - starting in spring they have festivals every weekend, free movies in the park, something is always happening. Plus it is a nice place to just walk around (I really like the MOD Pizza in the food court). If it is his type of thing - I would recommend getting a membership to the Chilhuly museum. Then he can stop in then any time and enjoy it, everybody who visits him will want to visit it, and it is air conditioned in the summer!
Did he locate his permanent place walking distance, or is that his temp place? Sounds great to be walking distance!
I’m jealous…!!! Never in my life have I lived anywhere within walking distance of work. That’s life in Southern California. Not even when I worked out of town or international.