Safe, affordable housing in West Seattle?

[TXGirl]

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!

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[Sue]

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.

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[TXGirl]

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!

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[Talaki34]

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.

• This reply was modified 9 years, 2 months ago by Talaki34.

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[TXGirl]

Thanks, Talaki34! So right now, I’m still in Dallas. I anticipate making the move within 30-60 days; however. Since I won’t know the City well, I’d like to stay close to work. (I work for Starbucks).

I’m used to large, open spaces, but I know I’m not going to get that without paying an arm & leg. So right now I’m in a 2500+ sf with a $1500/month mortgage. As you can see, my ‘must haves’ are going to HAVE to change once I get up there.

I just want to be in a safe neighborhood, within walking distance to food, groceries, and maybe a crossfit gym. I’m not afraid of driving to work, though I’d like to keep it within 30 minutes. I am open to all possibilities; and if the reality is that to get these things, I need to increase my monthly rent, then that’s what I need to hear. :)

What I DON’T want is to make the move, and spend every last dime on rent, making the move essentially worthless. :) I’m looking for a local’s honest point of view.

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[WSB]

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)

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[Talaki34]

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.

• This reply was modified 9 years, 2 months ago by Talaki34.

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[aa]

What is a safe neighborhood? What makes you think WS is safe? Because it’s not ethnically diverse? It is my opinion that the phrase ‘safe neighborhood’ is racist. Making the assumption of safety based on what? Will you check crime statistics? I know we are all searching for ways to feel safe in our homes, let’s just remember most people want to feel safe irregardless of their ethnicity. there is no neighborhood that will guarantee safety it’s an illusion based on racial stereotyping.

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[Sue]

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!

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[TXGirl]

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. :)

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[TXGirl]

Thanks so much, everyone!

I’ve learned a lot in less than 24 hours! aa, I certainly didn’t mean to insinuate racism with my question about safety! Please accept my sincere apologies if my inquiry suggested otherwise and offended you… that was definitely NOT my intention! Perhaps if I had asked about where the safest white neighborhoods were, your ruffled feathers would be justified; however, as a gal that would be living alone for several months in an unfamiliar city, I thought it was a prudent question to ask. I also appreciate you validating my intuition that I should check crime stats in these areas, too – thanks! Gosh, there is just so much research to do when moving half way across the country!

If the responses on this thread are any indication of what I can expect if/when I make the big move, I’m really looking forward to it. Thanks y’all for being so welcoming and honest – it really does help to ease the uncertainty and anxiety of moving to the Emerald City. :)

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[CMP]

TXGirl, welcome to Seattle! I take it you’ll be working at the SSC so West Seattle is a great option for neighborhoods, don’t let anyone talk you into looking elsewhere in the city. There are plenty of bus options and you can bike to work easily from here if that’s your thing. Driving is a pain if you leave home after 7:00 and parking in Sodo is terrible. Just be aware that Seattle is WAY different than Dallas. My sister lives in Richardson now and refuses to move back to Seattle since Texans are way nicer. Regardless, Seattle is gorgeous which makes up for it…sort of.

Rents in West Seattle are definitely going up. You can find some older apartments for less than $1300 I bet, but a lot don’t allow dogs. I rented with a cat and it’s tough. Since you have a dog, just be prepared for higher rents. There are a TON of new large, soulless apartment buildings that seem to have a minimum rent of $1800 which is ridiculous. You’d probably have to pay extra for a parking spot and pet rent too. Being along a bus line is a good idea in case you want more transit options…the 21, 50 and 116 go through Sodo. The Rapid Ride C takes you downtown which will not be helpful to you.

If you want any more ideas/suggestions, let me know! I work at Starbucks too so you can look me up in Outlook :-)

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[Sunuva]

TXGirl, you’ve made a great choice in West Seattle as your destination. It is a wonderful community to live in. However, housing is getting expensive all over Seattle, West Seattle included. That said, it is a large area with a variety of options and has many desirable neighborhoods.

It seems to be more expensive towards the North and West areas, probably for views, schools, and commute options. The Alaska Junction has a lot of new inventory lately but not for cheap. Towards the south end you might find lower prices in Morgan Junction, Gatewood, Arbor Heights, High Point, or Westwood, which have a mix of single family, small 2-3 story older apartment buildings, and townhouses.

As you may be gathering from previous comments, it is very important to consider your commute here also. West Seattle is close in distance to Starbucks HC, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’ll be quick. Seattle traffic has several daily choke-points and problem areas, along with too many cars on the roads, lack of parking, erratic weather, and inadequate public transportation.

When you look at a place, definitely consider the proximity to Metro bus lines and/or bike routes. Or if driving, definitely consider your proximity to one of the main arterials out and cost and location of parking. It can have a great effect on your work day and also your overall cost of living here.

• This reply was modified 9 years, 2 months ago by Sunuva.

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[TXGirl]

Seriously, y’all – this sharing of information is amazing! My heart swells with gratitude with each and every response. Everyone has a different perspective, and THAT’S what will help me with my decision.

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[Wes C. Addle]

Welcome! The Strata that someone suggested earlier is a good option. One that I considered at one point. Also look in the North Admiral neighborhood. It’s a great place for commuting into SoDo and has all the amenities you need. Also this neighborhood has older more affordable apartments that are pretty nice. They look a little shady from the outside but many are actually really nice inside. When moving into one of the newer complexes you pay an arm and a leg for things like shuffleboard, dog wash, climbing wall etc . . . that you don’t really need IMO. Good Luck!

• This reply was modified 9 years, 2 months ago by Wes C. Addle.

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[aa]

I’ve a friend who moved here without knowing the area and she started by renting a room in a house for a few months to take some time checking out the area, learning the commute,etc. she was clear with the roommates that it was short term, maybe 3-6 months and many were ok with that. Gives breathing room to the situation.

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[PangolinPie]

Hi, TXGirl, from an ex-SBUX employee who worked at the SSC for over 10 years. You might look at the Highland Park area and surrounding neighborhoods. It’s farther south, but you can avoid the always-busy West Seattle Bridge and head right down the hill to Marginal Way and over to the SODO area. I highly recommend taking the bus over driving, though. When I worked at Starbucks, the wait for the parking garage was over THREE YEARS. And then of course you have to pay to park there. There used to be parking in the alley behind the buildings across from the SSC, but it’s no fun at night in the winter, when it’s dark and scary and there are the usual meth campers parked around there. I’m pretty sure SBUX will pay some or all of your Orca pass so you can have a nice, easy bus ride.

There isn’t all that much to walk to in that area, but as a result the rental prices are much lower. Unfortunately you may have trouble finding everything you’re looking for in housing within your price range. But again, there’s the bus, and there’s also Car2Go for longer trips. The little C2G cars are always parked in local neighborhoods.

Best of luck with your move and job!

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[Lindsey]

As you can tell, people in West Seattle tend to love life in West Seattle. West Seattle = Best Seattle. :)

If you can at all avoid it, do not drive over the bridge every morning for work. This can drastically affect how much you like living in West Seattle. The bridge is the main, but not only, way in and out. I commute to downtown on the bus everyday, and it takes me no more than 20 minutes. That would probably take an hour in a single occupancy car. However, the bus is not ideal for getting from place to place inside West Seattle. So if you have to make a choice, I’d prioritize living near a bus line to work over some other amenities. While others may disagree with me on this point, I don’t find parking in West Seattle to be much of an issue. We are one of the only neighborhoods that still has free on-street parking and completely free public lots. So, drive inside West Seattle, but take transit when you leave the peninsula.

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[Bonnie]

I just looked on the padmapper.com site someone suggested and came across this one: https://www.padmapper.com/listings/14113897.-2-bedroom-1-bathroom-Apartment-at-3057-63rd-Ave-SW-Seattle-WA-98116-in-

Right by Alki, which would be nice. (busy in the summer but it’s nice to live near Alki. A fun place)

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[dcn]

Another suggestion for potentially cheaper housing:
1) Near Westwood Village (Google map 2600 SW Barton St). It’s pretty far south but has all amenities within walking distance and rapid bus transit to downtown. I live near there and find my neighborhood to be safe and friendly. And it has lower housing prices than many trendier areas in West Seattle. Westwood Village has grocery, pharmacy, Target, Barnes & Noble, a gym, post office, and several other stores. Downside is that it is a bit of a food desert, unless you care for McDonalds. There is good teriyaki, at least.

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[katman]

Hello TXGirl
I might have what you are looking for. Am close to Morgan Junction and on bus line in upper Gatewood. For security reasons I prefer not to give out to much info to the public (sorry blog readers) so please e-mail me at timetolov@aol.com and I will give you my phone number to talk, as texting and e-mails are like using smoke signals or Morse code from the past. For some stupid reason I find talking on the phone must faster,and I don’t need to use spell check,,,lol

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[Talaki34]

dcn, Westwood Village is only 3.5 miles from Alaska and California. LOL! You can walk to it and back on a nice day.

Westwood Village also has a hub for the express buses.

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[Author]

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