Thanks, everyone – this thread has been great. I certainly didn’t mean to insinuate that I was racist by asking to live in a safe neighborhood, aa – please accept my apologies if you understood my statement to mean otherwise. As a gal that will be living by myself in a strange city for a period of time, I thought the question was prudent. When I visited several weeks ago, the news mentioned (on a daily basis) about the homeless problem… and so that was something that piqued my interest. And goodness, I have no idea if West Seattle is safe or not – a colleague lives there and simply told me that rents are more “affordable” than downtown Seattle proper. You betcha, I will DEFINITELY check crime stats in these areas – I’m really glad you confirmed my suspicion that I would need to do so! Moving halfway across the country is a lot of work – believe me, I’ve got TONS of research left to do.
If this thread is any indication of what I’m to encounter if/when I make the move, I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve learned quite a bit from y’all in less than 24 hours, so THANK YOU kindly. :)
aa, you seem to be jumping to some conclusions there about OP intentions. Personally, I’m from New York City, which is very ethnically diverse, and when I think of a “safe neighborhood” I’m not thinking of what color the inhabitants are to make that determination.
TXGirl, I don’t think $1200-$1300 is unreasonable, especially if you’re open to a smaller studio or 1 bedroom. I pay $1200 for a 1BR now, and a friend pays $850 for an L-shaped studio, so they’re out there. You might want to take a look at the websites padmapper.com and hotpads.com – they are sites that pull in ads from Craigslist and other listing sites. You can see things on a map in the area you choose, select filters, and see what’s out there. And as someone else mentioned, definitely ask about parking. Many apartments now in “frequent transit corridors” don’t need to provide parking, and if they do it can be $70-$140 a month. The area I live in (Alaska Junction) has many 2 hour parking spots, so you can’t leave a car there all day.
Another consideration is where you plan on working and whether you’re driving or taking a bus. West Seattle can be a little challenging to commute from by car when the bridge gets backed up, and if you’re taking a bus and going through downtown to somewhere else for work with a transfer, that can challenging too and take a while.
Let us know how else we can help!
Try thinking inside out. Living large in a small place is something very doable here in the Pacific Northwest and especially Seattle. So much to see and do right on your doorstep that you just might find having a lot of living space is unnecessary.
Couple of thoughts.
1. If West Seattle is where you want to live, but you are unsure of the money then maybe living in another part of the city could be a temporary option until you figure out the finances. Rent is not the only thing that is expensive up here. Living in one of the other great areas would give you time to get to know Seattle at your own pace, allow you to save a little money and really get a feel of what would be right for your happiness and pocketbook.
2. Consider getting a Realtor to help you look for something? That might be a good next step. They can weed through what is worth the money and what isn’t. Maybe help you decide what a good balance is for you. They might also be able to do the initial walk-through for you with pictures.
3. When inquiring about apartments here, ask about parking. Some smaller places it is street only (Yikes) and others you may have to pay a monthly fee.
Honestly, rents are going up and I would suggest that you look at what is available now and for how much. If you see something great, then you might have to jump on it.
http://www.strataoncalifornia.com/ Close to everything. Availability, unknown. The 1 bedroom plan A about mid-level in $$$ from what I have seen so far.
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This reply was modified 10 years, 4 months ago by Talaki34.
TXGirl – thanks for coming here to do some fact-finding!
While Patrick and I have owned a house for a long time, I get some sense of rents because of all the research I do while working on stories. I would suggest you look in Morgan Junction. Its business district is on the move, and includes a supermarket … the RapidRide line runs through MJct … and more. I believe rents are a little less than in The Junction and Admiral. – TR (site co-owner)
Hi TXGirl!
I came up from FT Hood years ago. Realistically, rents can be high. However, there are many areas that skirt the more recognized parts of West Seattle where you can sometimes find something more affordable. I live in Arbor Heights, which is adjacent to Fauntleroy. We don’t offer shops and large apartments, instead we are mostly mixed owned/rented single family homes.
When thinking about West Seattle, remember North/South it is only about 8 miles and East/West is about 3-4. No matter where you live, you will be close to everything. Downtown Seattle for instance is just a water-taxi away. Great shopping, eats and a fair amount of attractions.
If you could share what you like/dislike about where you currently live or what your “If I could have it all” list for a neighborhood is, might be a good starting point.
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This reply was modified 10 years, 4 months ago by Talaki34.
I just read this delightful book. I think everyone in the city should. The contrast between then and now in just over 100 years is very entertaining. Too high and too steep was just a challenge to be met by those that carved (literally) the city from the landscape. These days it’s what the naysayers think their opponents are and how they categorize the price tag of any project.
Did they ever think they’d run out of fish or trees? No way. Did they give a ratzazz about indigenous people or low income housing…HAH! But the spirit they did have to pursue the vision of their time is inspiring. And looking at the city that has solidified at least until liquefaction is staggering. I’m not sure there’s a damn thing we could take from this history to help guide us today but I just like being a little more aware of how things were before and some of the stories of how we got where we are now.
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This topic was modified 10 years, 4 months ago by PDieter.
Thanks, Sue! School districts are not a concern – no children, but do have a small dog. I guess what I’m trying to find out is the salary I need to ask for in order to live comfortably. Certainly nothing lavish, but was thinking an apartment. Since it’ll be me and the pooch for a bit, I don’t need a lot of space. Would love to stay around $1200-$1300 a month, but that may not be realistic.
Appreciate the feedback!
Hi TXGirl – unfortunately, rents in West Seattle have exploded into a bit of craziness in the past few years. So what was once affordable to many is not necessarily considered affordable now. A lot will depend on your salary and wants/needs. What exactly are you thinking of renting? A house? Townhome? Apartment? Size? Price range? I don’t have children so don’t know the school districts, but is that a consideration for you in terms of “good schools?”
I live in the Alaska Junction area, and the new construction has brought 1 bedroom apartments to nearly $2,000/month and 2 bedroom at $3,000 in some buildings. I live in an older building and pay much less, however, people moving into my building are paying several hundred dollars more for the size apartment I’m living in.
Hey there! As a potential transplant Texan, I’m performing copious amounts of research on housing options in the West Seattle area. I will be keeping my house in Dallas for several months, so I don’t want to pay a million dollars a month for rent; that being said, I also want to live in a safe neighborhood.
Knowing that I can’t have it all, can the kind folks on this blog make any suggestions on where I should look? Needless to say, this will be quite a culture-shock for me, so be nice. :)
Thanks, y’all!
1. A Metro driver told me
2. I heard/read it on a respected news station (take your pick)
3. I saw it on the internet (always a worthy source) …specifically Facebook …
4. I overheard someone talking about it in a conversation
5. Donald Trump/Ted Cruz/Marco Rubio, etc. said it…it’s got to be true
6. Bernie Sanders/Hillary Clinton supporters said so
7. My dad/mom/brother/sister/uncle/aunt told me
got anymore?
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agreed…the view from up there is wonderful…accompanied by some wine, a bowl of chowder, maybe a salad or some clams…yummy…nice way to spend a late lunch
A friend of mine does the billing for a large medical organization here in Seattle. She bills the state for pharmaceutical meth given free to addicts every day. A metro bus driver says Seattle is known as “Sucker City” to drug addicts all over the country because it is one of the best places to get free drugs, free food and free places to crash.
Homelessness seems to be a self-perpetuationg problem. The more money democrats take from taxpayers to feed the visiting heroin and meth addicts, the bigger the problem gets. We need some way to help the people who really need it but deny those who travel here for the famed freebies.
I didn’t post any video, JayDee.
This link regarding Strontium spikes is fresh and certainly underscores the inability of TEPCO to provide any real comfort that they can get/keep this under control.
http://enenews.com/alarm-rings-fukushima-plant-new-leak-highly-radioactive-material-detected-strontium-90-levels-spike-alarmingly-video
<https://vimeo.com/122642785>
@Wakeflood:
How have things changed? I wonder about how TEPCO will handle the long term water treatment/Groundwater contamination, and always have. But this video you linked to, despite the ominous production values, is less than alarming.
<http://www.whoi.edu/news-release/fukushima-higher-levels-offshore>
Dilution is the solution.
I am more worried about climate change denialism and the prospect of President Rump (or any other Republican candidate) than Fukushima on our immediate environment.
Michael waldo…
if you happen to be at the beach in the summertime and see that there are tables open on the upstairs outdoor patio … grab one. there is no better seat on Alki and everything tastes better on a deck overlooking the sound.
We went Friday night. I had the cassoulet and my wife had the seafood stew. Both were quite yummy. The cassoulet was enough for there to be leftovers for lunch yesterday. With an appetizer / salad it could probably be split by two.
It was a lovely, well served, leisurely dinner.
It is out of our range for a ‘regular’ type place (Though we want to try happy hour for sure!) but for the occasional splurge we’ll definitely be back.
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This reply was modified 10 years, 4 months ago by justadumbguy.
Wsea98116, we meet again.
This is a rant, not a discussion, per se. Kittyno came here to rant about an experience that she had. There is nothing she could have done that would merit him getting out of his car and yelling at her. Your need to chastise her for not sharing the other side, accusing her of trumping it up and apologizing to Mr. Beemer is, shall we say, way out of line. Keep it up and I’ll sic my dog on your petunias.
Michael…sorry for the mistake on my part…. I saw the title RANT, and misunderstood where it was posted. Did you speak with the chef, or management, etc? Just curious as to their answer if you did. The Dukes on Alki always came across to me as being more of a beachy restaurant, casual, not white tableclothy…sorry your food was not to your liking, as dollars for this kind of entertainment can be very dear to many of us.
You say he’s little, and he’s got a receding hairline, and his car is not making up for his deficits- but none of those things are relevant to the story- just nasty name-calling. The very relevant things that are omitted here are- what was the conflict? What/why did he yell at you? How did you participate in this misunderstanding?
The other party is not here to comment, but there is definitely another side to THIS tale. Dumping this random snarkyness, makes me think it’s way trumped up, and OP had it coming.
I’m sorry to little balding bmr for this experience.
wsea98116
ask the city to put in one of those drain gardens
i wasn’t happy when they replaced my two huge shade trees with the drain garden but i did get an unexpected side benefit… while even my dogs stop to water the plantings.. nobody poops there..and that is a huge improvement.
as an alternate. you could plant barberry bushes …
who knew we could find something upon which we agree ;-) ;-)
wsea98116
:-) .. as it turns out i did let the management at the Duke’s on Alki know that i was not impressed with their food the last time i ate there…
although i will confess that we just let it go with the chirpy waitress last time we ate lunch at the Duke’s on the waterfront in Tacoma.
since then.. we have made better choices… ;-)
I am still tempted by the rooftop patio at Dukes on a fine summer’s day and have been known to succumb to that temptation.. but i no longer go there for the food :(
i don’t think i will have need of the Duke’s protection program as i still recommend their patio….. but thanks for your concern
wsea98116…what is your problem. JoB simply made a statement..she is/was not the OP. She had no obligation to do any of what you suggested – she didn’t post her unhappiness here, simply agreed with the OP. It was the OP who posted the “rant”, now “review”. Since it was titled a “rant”…I simply mentioned the rules. So..why be snarky to JoB? Because it’s the “in” thing to do”? A boring Saturday night?
Kenyon Hall at 35th & Kenyon is a great spot for a function. Probably 80-100 capacity, kitchen facilities, grand piano,theater organ.
