don’t hate us because we love your town, help us move here.

[ellenater]

Dear West Seattle,

We moved to N. Seattle almost two years ago. We had to move (from Eugene, OR) quickly without a lot of notice due to hubby job. We live in Ravenna. It sucks. It could be worse but it’s not West Seattle. You see, about six months ago we visited West Seattle and fell in love. We love your community spirit, we love your peoples, we love your Sound and, we love your blog, your Farmer’s Market, and we also love your YMCA-so much so that we joined it and come over very often. Now, we are addicted to you and must make the move. So please forgive us for being yet more people, but if you welcome us, you won’t regret it!

Getting to the point: We’re looking for a place to rent. We have pets (a cat and small dog). We have good refs. Hubby is a nice kind of lawyer and works downtown. I do art and non-profit and am finishing some classes online. Our eight year old son is quirky and excels at describing things in great detail, as well as climbing doorways and turning around without touching the ground.

We need 2 beds. but three would be nice for an office. We’d like a personal ref. to rent from an honest person/company. We’re flexible on cost but shouldn’t be too high. I like to do yard work and enjoy some degree of privacy. Apartments, Houses, Duplexes, Condos, etc. are all fine. We’re not too picky but it can’t be trashy and it MUST be safe for both humans and vehicle.

So dear city, any help you have would be greatly appreciated! Thank you for being the greatest place in Seattle!

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[Anonymous]

If I had a place, I’d rent it to you based on your letter alone. You obviously possess good taste and intelligence:) Good luck with your search. Have you done the obvious of watching craigslist?

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[WSB]

Yeah, this one’s such a good plea, we’re linking it on the home page :) – TR

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[thriftwaygirl]

Hi Ellenater!

West Seattle is in my opinion the most fabulous place around to live, raise kids etc etc…around. I’ve lived here for almost 10 years now, and since I work up the road – I almost never have to leave, which is just fine with me!

I felt compelled to do a small search for you, I avioded places that were in “iffy” sections of town due to the fact you have a young child – but nowhere here can be classified as a bad neighborhood.

Good luck in your search!

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/apa/703073522.html (This one is located in the “Morgan Junction” which is a really great neighborhood with great Gatewood Elementary School. Doesn’t say if it has a garage, but the neighborhood is pretty quiet and peaceful, I have lived here in this part of town for nearly three years)

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/apa/702237994.html (This one says one small pet, but – hey, you may be able to negotiate!)

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/apa/698862555.html (Lower Priced)

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/apa/698350796.html (Apartment)

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/apa/699452009.html(Newly remodeled, on the pricier side)

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/apa/700115965.html(This one looks awesome, Alki beach…is a great area but can get a little noisy in the Summertime)

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[Sue]

Hi Ellenater – I can totally relate. We moved from NYC in 2004 and originally landed in Lynnwood. I chose Lynnwood because I had friends there and since I always stayed in a hotel there when I visited Seattle, I knew the area. But I decided not long after moving there that I hated it. :) We visited West Seattle because of the Unitarian Universalist congregation we wanted to visit and fell in love with WS and just had to move here – broke our lease in Lynnwood to do it. I hope you will be as happy here as we are!

If I see any signs up for rent, I’ll let you know. But I do want to tell you to stay away from the West Ridge Park apartment complex or any rental run by Allied Management – we used to live there (WRP) and loved it until Allied took over. I do not recommend it.

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[Anonymous]

Hey Ellenater – I pre-welcome you this wonderful community! We just moved here in October (from Phoenix) and fell completely in love!!

My guy, too, is a lawyer and one of the “good” ones. He doesn’t sue anyone!!! He also works downtown and the commute (for now anyways) is fabulous!

There are SOOO many homes for rent just in our neighborhood. I haven’t done a lot of research, but I see the signs everywhere. We found our place (we are currently renting) through computer searches. But, driving around is a good way to find something if you have the time!

Good luck! If I happen to see something good, I’ll come back here and let you know!

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[ellenater]

Wow! Thanks for the welcomes!! It’s funny how the people on the blog are as nice as the people we meet in person. Not surprising, I guess…

The suggestions are great. We are all over Craigslist. I hadn’t seen some of those postings, though so thanks, thriftwaygirl. We’re on it!

Sue thanks for the tip on Allied. That’s the stuff, right there. Nothing beats WOM.

NR, what is your neighborhood? We are just getting acquainted with all the different neighborhoods. We’re not picky about which ones but it’s nice to walk to stuff. We have been driving around a bunch but I’m not seeing many signs.

Thanks again. I’m so excited to move over!!!

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[Cloverdale]

We are a couple with two kids who rent a house in the Gatewood neighborhood near the Morgan Junction and Lincoln Park. Our tenants have to move back east so we are looking to rent soon. You sound just like the type of folks we would love to rent to. We have a nice house with 2BR on the main floor and a third bedroom with a fabulous sound and mountain view that has been used by many for a home office. It even has its own kitchen and bathroom. We live within a mile away and are committed to being good landlords.

We didn’t advertise saying we would take cats, but would be willing to discuss this. Here is our craigslist posting:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/apa/702840515.html

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[WSB]

Since that neighborhood isn’t far from us (about half a mile) we’ll vouch for its walkability :) Half a mile downhill to Morgan Junction, not far downhill west to Lincoln Park and Lowman Beach, even the Fauntleroy ferry dock. (Those are walking routes the 12-y-o and I take all the time.) If you’re feeling ambitious you can even walk to Westwood Village (less than two miles). We lived on Beach Drive for our first two years in West Seattle, then bought a house down here in southwest WS and have been happy as, well, clams, ever since. — TR

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[JanS]

amazing…all in a matter of 6 hours…ellenator…hope it works out :)

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[ellenater]

That house looks perfect for us and I’d love to be in that neighborhood. I will be calling you today, Cloverdale. Hope this works out. :)

TR-clams…hah.

Many Thanks!

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[add]

I live in this neighborhood, too, and we just love it! Welcome to WS ellenater & family!

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[Anonymous]

Awesome that you may have already found something!

We are in the Belvidere neighborhood (very close to the Admiral and Alaska junctions) and I will try and find out exactly where those homes for rent are located that I have seen. Just in the case the other doesn’t work out.

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[JanS]

NR…why did I think you live in Arbor Heights? I’ve only been on the good drugs lately, so must have been a mind hiccup. So that would make you not all that far from me, too…being as I’m just across from Adm.Safeway, and down the street from Hiawatha Playfield :) We’re neighbors, sorta…

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[bcollins]

Okay…all that’s remaining is the small admittance fee. ;)

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[ellenater]

I’ll work that off. Anything but dressing up as a clown. :)

NR, thanks. That’d be great. I’ll post when our search ends. Soooo excited!

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[Anonymous]

JanS – We are practically neighbors! Every time I go to Adm. Safeway, I wonder which building is yours.

Btw – Please let me know if you need anything, anytime. I’m taking this whole summer off from work so am available pretty much always. I would love to help you out if you ever need it!

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[JanS]

NR…I’m surprised I haven’t run into you there. My bldg. is the one with the really bad landscaping, only one with a flat roof – lol, mid-block.

nice that you’re taking the summer off…it’ll be fun for you and the offspring :) Thanks for the offer…I’ll hold you to that, although I’m actually getting around fairly well, and it’s only been 2 1/2 weeks since the surgery. Minor complications…but having friends helps :)

Banana splits from Baskin and Robbins? lol….

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[Anonymous]

I think you still have my email (?), so please don’t hesitate to let me know what I can do. I will email you my phone number too.

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[TheVelvetBulldog]

Saw some super-cute houses w/ For Rent signs out while just driving around today. Let me know if you want the phone numbers.

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[susieq]

Ellenator,

Welcome in advance to WS! You will love it here, with all the activities and things to do and warm & friendly folk! I’ve lived here for 13 years, and now when I say, “I’m just going downtown for some errands,” I mean ‘downtown’ West Seattle!” People from WS get it, but people from the ‘outside’ don’t……

I picked up this thread to ask you why you want to rent instead of buy in this buyer’s market, but more of that later.

I followed the craigslisting for the rental you like, and am just compelled to tell you that I am a neighbor of your potential landlords. You will not find nicer people. Simple statement. Honest! They are super-engaged in our communities, and work in fields they are passionate about. They have two cool school-age children who are fun to be with. I respect them immensely and adore their children, and if you like WS, you will find they embody our ‘small town’ spirit, with a global attitude. I’ve not rented from them, but I’m sure they are just the type of landlords everyone hopes for!

If you really need a rental, go with them as the best, but when you want something more permanent, get back to me, and we can talk about how to finance your 8-year olds’ college education through ownership of real estate. Honest. No more sales pitch. (I’m a Realtor, as well as a fortunate neighbor, permanent community volunteer, WS Blog lover, and wild WS booster!)

Best wishes! Look forward to finding you somewhere around West Seattle!

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[josie2006]

I just have to chime in here and say that 7 years ago, not long after moving to Seattle from the midwest, we were all set to move into the other half of a duplex in Fremont with some of our best friends. Then, we took a drive through West Seattle, and that was it. We risked losing a great friendship over our choice of neighborhood (everything turned out fine in the end). We’ve never been sorry, we love it here!

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[ellenater]

Thanks, susieq!

We do plan to buy at some point but want to wait awhile longer. I don’t think the market is going to suddenly spike again in the next few years. I could be wrong but that is the chance we’re willing to take. Plus, we want to be 100% sure before we buy. I can’t honestly say though that I have even the slightest doubt that West Seattle is the right place for us. Every time we come over my husband and I actually feel like we are coming home. I don’t think I have ever met a rude person in West Seattle. I’m sure there must be some, I just haven’t met them yet. :) We want a community to live in and that is the vibe I have always gotten. I think that North Seattle is more transitional in some way. When you stack that community feeling up with all the beauty in West Seattle, it’s almost astounding. I’ve never in my life moved voluntarily. My mom pushed me out at 21. :) I see all the kids around and just feel right at home. There are very few kids where we live now. West Seattle feels like a place I could live my whole life and be thrilled to raise our child in. There are other parts of Seattle that are great, and I spent most of my summers there (Beacon Hill) with my sister growing up. But there is just something really special about West Seattle and I can’t even pinpoint what it is. It’s different from the rest of Seattle. It’s actually different from any place I have ever lived. I know this sounds cheesy, but it is a very special place.

I contacted Cloverdale today and we are going to meet and see the house next week. It seems perfect for our family. I got the vibe that they were really good people too so I’m not surprised you said that. Believe me, I don’t take this opportunity for granted. I could tell from one phone conversation that they were good, conscientious people! We rent from a decent man now who we have never met! I don’t need my landlords to be over everyday but get tired of the impersonal corporate attitude… We are elated for the opportunity.

So thanks again for the warm welcome. We are so unbelievably excited to join your community. It will be so great to come over the bridge and instead of feeling bittersweet that we have to leave in a few hours, feel happy to be coming home!

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[Bonnie]

cute house that Cloverdale has for rent. Hope you take it and it works out well for you.

I live in the Fauntlee Hills neighborhood of WS (east of the ferry dock, west of Westwood Village) and love it. My husband grew up in West Seattle and we will never leave. (I grew up in Burien so I didn’t go too far) We have a quirkly, almost 8 year old son and a 4 year old not so quirkly daughter.

Welcome to the neighborhood! You will love it here.

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[WSB]

Nah, not cheesy at all. I never got to live anywhere more than five years until near-adulthood … and actually thought by then that I was meant to be nomadic … but we’ve been here 17 years (15 in this house) and I don’t feel scared any more of the concept that we might well live here the rest of our lives. Even turned down a job two years ago in a spectacular beach resort town … because we realized we just couldn’t bear to leave. My previous cities include San Diego, LA, Las Vegas, and Honolulu, and yet none compare to West Seattle … TR

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