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Advice for future Seattle resident?

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Stinkles said:
Apparently Sunday thru Tuesday is gonna be Snowpocalypse III: The Snowenating.
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I heard that too. I just took down my air conditioner from my bedroom window. I don't think I'll need it until next August.

I am sure it will be a light dusting, but it also means that Stevens will probably open soon!

I'll add my suggestion to go to Japonessa for their crazy sushi happy hour. As to where to live, I can't help since I am a lazy eastsider living in Costco's homeland, Kirkland.
 
Enjoy the greenery, and the light misty rain. I love being outdoors up there more than I do here in Denver.

I've never had a problem with the winters up there. It might get a little chilly, but it's not like midwest winters or anything of the sort.

If you're a sports fan and you ever want Seahawks tickets, for the love of god get them when they go on sale.

If you ever want to take a weekend trip to Vancouver or Bellingham (near the border), and don't want to drive, look into signing up for Boltbus. It's relatively cheap if you book early.

While I don't live in Seattle, it's been like a second home to me for the last 6-7 years.
 
I literally just made the permanent move to Seattle from Atlanta (Decatur) this past Sunday. Currently we are in corporate housing in Queen Anne near Seattle Center / Key Arena for the next few months. This apartment is about 1/7 of my house I just left so my 2 young children are driving me into insanity, but it's been ok so far. (I miss my big tv and am ready to leave) Haven't had a chance to do much, but I have made it to the EMP/MoPOP which basically consists of everything I love (My 2 year old son loves the Hostel props).

Now it's just going to be looking for a house and getting settled. And ready for our cars to get here so I can explore the area further. Recommendations on best places to live? Good place for families with kids, but not a sterile suburb?

Also does anyone have recommendations for Lower Queen Anne? Food, things to do, etc. Thanks in advance.
 
I'm doing the same thing! My wife just secured us an apartment near the Junction in West Seattle. Hope to be out there by the end of the year.

Good luck!
 
Try Whitecenter or Burien if you want to get in on a neighborhood that's low-income, but that will be gentrified soon enough. It's also not far from Seattle.

Or go live in the farmlands in Kent and Auburn. Longer commute, but it's really pretty. Shoot, even Maple Valley has a couple of apartment complexes, but that commute is icky since there's one road in and out, really.

Don't live in Bellevue. It sucks. And don't come up here and then be some NIMBY that bitches about building housing for the homeless or putting in better public transportation or anything because fuuuuuuuck some of the people moving here are trying to change what makes Seattle awesome, like giving more of a shit about trees and public transportation and homeless people and minorities more than other places.
 
cbrun44 said:
Also does anyone have recommendations for Lower Queen Anne? Food, things to do, etc. Thanks in advance.
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Just pop over to Belltown, hit up some Tom Douglas restaurants (the churros at Cantina Lena make me cry tears of happiness) and see some movies over at the Cinerama.

Seattle feels more like a "couples without kids" city to me, honestly. Others might disagree. You might want to go to the eastside and live in Kirkland or Bellevue or something if you want to raise a family. Housing is actually also not getting as expensive on the eastside as it is in the city - I think common housing prices went down slightly over the last six months - so maybe you want to live just outside the city proper.
 
Voysa Reezun said:
Just pop over to Belltown, hit up some Tom Douglas restaurants (the churros at Cantina Lena make me cry tears of happiness) and see some movies over at the Cinerama.

Seattle feels more like a "couples without kids" city to me, honestly. Others might disagree. You might want to go to the eastside and live in Kirkland or Bellevue or something if you want to raise a family. Housing is actually also not getting as expensive on the eastside as it is in the city - I think common housing prices went down slightly over the last six months - so maybe you want to live just outside the city proper.
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Great stuff here! Thanks!
 
Voysa Reezun said:
Try Whitecenter or Burien if you want to get in on a neighborhood that's low-income, but that will be gentrified soon enough. It's also not far from Seattle.

Or go live in the farmlands in Kent and Auburn. Longer commute, but it's really pretty. Shoot, even Maple Valley has a couple of apartment complexes, but that commute is icky since there's one road in and out, really.

Don't live in Bellevue. It sucks. And don't come up here and then be some NIMBY that bitches about building housing for the homeless or putting in better public transportation or anything because fuuuuuuuck some of the people moving here are trying to change what makes Seattle awesome, like giving more of a shit about trees and public transportation and homeless people and minorities more than other places.
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I grew up in White Center. It has a reputation for being scary but the last few times I have been there it seems to be making huge improvements in itself. I think there's a lot of talk about annexing it so that it will become a real part of Seattle. I imagine that this is probably a great place to move right now if you want to balance commute-time and affordability.

I hardly ever go back to Washington so I'm probably out of the loop on things. Seattle seems pretty unrecognizable since I've moved.
 
DeVeAn said:
Hey GAF, I will be heading to Seattle with my wife. I have a full time job waiting for me and some funds to hold me over. I have done some research and I know its expensive. I will be working in the university district. I will only be taking the essentials with me and including my car.

I am willing to commute 35 mins max to work if it means significantly cheaper dwelling. From what I see its about $1400 for a studio. I am okay with with a studio its only my wife and I.

I am coming from SoCal Palm Springs area if that helps any. Thanks Gaf!
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First tip: Keep that on the down low, change your plates ASAP.
 
Voysa Reezun said:
Don't live in Bellevue. It sucks. And don't come up here and then be some NIMBY that bitches about building housing for the homeless or putting in better public transportation or anything because fuuuuuuuck some of the people moving here are trying to change what makes Seattle awesome, like giving more of a shit about trees and public transportation and homeless people and minorities more than other places.
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Hey, at least ST3 passed :). As a recent transplant to Seattle, I agree. These qualities are part of what made the city so attractive to me.
 
Oh, another since you're coming from SoCal.

It rains so much, that the streets really aren't all that slick when it's wet out. Try to keep up with the flow of traffic, and by that I mean, the speed of traffic doesn't change when it's raining. Unless it's dumping so heavily that you can't see, but that kind of rain typically only comes in the spring.

I'd also highly suggest trying to go outside for a walk every day in the fall/winter, during lunch. Get an umbrella and some quality synthetic outerwear. In Nov/Dec/Jan, it's dark when you go to work, dark when you come home. Without that walk mid-day, you might get hit with seasonal affective disorder.
 
Congrats OP, I want to make this move and am in the pipeline for interviewing with Amazon. Hope it goes through! I visited last week and loved the Fremont neighborhood :)
 
Hastati said:
Christ I don't understand the umbrella hate, I've lived here forever and I use them. Raincoats are sticky and gross.

Don't live in the U District if you can help it, Lynnwood is a bit of a ways but definitely nice. Greenwood is a but closer and also nice as well, but these days may be expensive. Wedgwood is also great, close to the UW without awful traffic.

Basically go with the 'woods and you'll have pretty good options. Just avoid Ballard and Capital Hill (expense and hipsters), anywhere downtown, and the University Ave in particular.

Oh and yes, Greenlake is really nice. Just don't go with Bonnie Lake, it has one of our major gateways to Hell.
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Whats the deal with U District? I read something about crime?
 
Stinkles said:
Apparently Sunday thru Tuesday is gonna be Snowpocalypse III: The Snowenating.
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Totally going to just peace out of work and just hit the slopes, ITS GONNA BE GREAT

To the guy above, It's also not too expensive if you live in the dirty south like myself. Dat Kent life. Although it's just me with a huge house lol.
 
DeVeAn said:
Whats the deal with U District? I read something about crime?
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People are tied to the university there, so it's largely a lot of shitty housing for kind of expensive that people pay for because it's within walking distance of the University.

There is a bit of crime. Not sure if it's really worse than other popular neighborhoods. Look at an aggregated crime map like Trulia's.
 
Damn finding a place is proving very difficult. I am in Seattle now and I probably need a cosigner. Most rooms don't allow couples either.

I ideally want to live within reasonable distance for University Village since that is where I will be working.
Any tips would be appreciated.
 
University Village is a swanky-ass open air mall for rich people, there's pretty much no hope of affordable housing near there, unless you join a frat.

My reccomendation to check out Lynnwood or Shoreline still stands.
 
Horse Detective said:
Ha, I hear the locals make fun of anyone who uses umbrellas or raincoats.

Such a silly place, that Seattle.
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That's because it doesn't usually rain hard enough to use an umbrella (and I've never heard of them laughing at raincoats).

Lynnwood is not too bad (that's where I live). Edmonds is really pretty but will be a little more expensive. Not sure how good it is for commuting (Lynnwood is right around I-5 so easier to commute).
 
DeVeAn said:
Damn finding a place is proving very difficult. I am in Seattle now and I probably need a cosigner. Most rooms don't allow couples either.

I ideally want to live within reasonable distance for University Village since that is where I will be working.
Any tips would be appreciated.
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What the other dude said about Shoreline. Forget living in the nearby neighborhoods unless you are wealthy or have roommates. Shoreline, Lake Forest Park, maaaaaybe Greenlake (and probably not Greenlake anymore, tbh) are your best options for staying close to work, but getting into an affordable place.
 
leroidys said:
University Village is a swanky-ass open air mall for rich people, there's pretty much no hope of affordable housing near there, unless you join a frat.

My reccomendation to check out Lynnwood or Shoreline still stands.
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If it's so swanky, why are there only two places to get Beluga Caviar?
 
Paseo isn't paseo anymore. The original people opened Un Bien and it's as good as old paseo.

You can get an alright 1 bedroom in Cap Hill for 1400-1500 if you look hard enough and don't need to live in a building that was built within 5 years.
 
DeVeAn said:
Damn finding a place is proving very difficult. I am in Seattle now and I probably need a cosigner. Most rooms don't allow couples either.

I ideally want to live within reasonable distance for University Village since that is where I will be working.
Any tips would be appreciated.
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Instead of a cosigner see if you can just put down a bigger deposit. I ran into that issue as well and was able to do that instead.
 
Once my wife starts work we should be fine. It's just a stressful time. I want to start enjoying the area and not feel like fighting it.

Also, should I be weary about filling out applications? I get the feeling they are taking my money knowing they are giving it to another client.
 
leroidys said:
University Village is a swanky-ass open air mall for rich people, there's pretty much no hope of affordable housing near there, unless you join a frat.

My reccomendation to check out Lynnwood or Shoreline still stands.
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Thanks I'll check those places for sure.
 
DeVeAn said:
Once my wife starts work we should be fine. It's just a stressful time. I want to start enjoying the area and not feel like fighting it.

Also, should I be weary about filling out applications? I get the feeling they are taking my money knowing they are giving it to another client.
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I'm down in Olympia so not sure if it's quite the same but I had to put money down to hold the apartment so they didn't give it away to someone else while the application process went through.
 
DeVeAn said:
Damn finding a place is proving very difficult. I am in Seattle now and I probably need a cosigner. Most rooms don't allow couples either.

I ideally want to live within reasonable distance for University Village since that is where I will be working.
Any tips would be appreciated.
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Have you checked out the Northgate area? I have a few friends that live there. It's cheaper and has good public transportation. They have cars but they take the bus to and from work/school.
 
Northgate or anything along Lake City way has good access to U-Village.

Lake City not a place you want to go for a stroll at nIght but it's otherwise a nice spot.
 
leroidys said:
As of January 1st, landlords will be required to take the first qualified applicant: http://www.multifamilyexecutive.com...irst-come-first-served-rental-rule-into-law_c
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Apparently it's already in effect as multiple agents have disclosed this information to me. I found a nice little shoebox for 1025 a month. Walking distance to work and so happens the agent was a former Sega employee/director. That's for the gaming GAF. Filled out the application and there are plenty of units left so I feel I have a good shot. I just need something to start if I get this place I'll be set for a while.
 
So, I spent 35 minutes waiting for a parking spot on the street I live. Most of it is Zone 6 and the area I can park is over run by UW students. I know I am getting a parking ticket soon ugh.

8 months in this place then off to something better. U district is a sucky place to live for me. Live and learn.
 
DeVeAn said:
So, I spent 35 minutes waiting for a parking spot on the street I live. Most of it is Zone 6 and the area I can park is over run by UW students. I know I am getting a parking ticket soon ugh.

8 months in this place then off to something better. U district is a sucky place to live for me. Live and learn.
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I tried telling you, man. Cars and Seattle don't mix, even a little. Check around the rail stops, even as far down as Tacoma. You could take the Sounder for most of your commute.

Speaking as someone who lives in Bremerton with plenty of family that works over there, I'm familiar with pretty remarkable commutes in pursuit of escaping cars. The best face I can put on it is that the walking keeps you healthy.
 
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