What can I expect to pay for rent in Seattle?

Question

My friend and I are considering moving out there. After some research, I figure it'd be best if we get an appartment in the Capitol Hill, University District area. What's the cheapest two bedroom apartment in this area? What could we expect to pay for a tiny, well-kept one in an semisafe neighborhood?

Is it possible to go carless in this part of Seattle? (I'm counting on biking around or taking the bus). Would it be dangerous to do this?

Here are our priorities for chosing a place:
1. price
2. transportation
3. safety (I know living in a big city means it's not safe, but we'll be two young college girls completely new to both the city and the state. We need to be able to get around without getting mugged or murdered or raped.)
4. close proximity to places like grocery and general stores
5. living by other people our age

Answer 1

1.The cheap end of rent for that area that I've seen for a 2 bedroom is $850. I live just outside Seattle in a 2bd/2b and it's $930 a month. We are looking to move and haven't been able to find anything under $1000.

2.Even from where I am at taking a bus is super easy! From U district and the hill buses are EVERYWHERE! All of Seattle is rather hilly which is why I bus (when I can, I do own a car) rather than bike. If you plan on busing around (which with the current weather is a great choice!) get a monthly pas. It's so much easier. Many employers also offer bus subsidy. Also, Parking in the City can be awful!

3.Neither is the safest area but not the worst either. There are so many tiny neighborhoods it gets confusing if you don't live here or know someone. Cap hill has a nice 420 population and mucho homeless teens but I'd personally live there over U district. If you don't mind being right outside of central Seattle you may consider Northgate or Lake City as cheaper alternatives.

4. You are never far from a store of some sort. Taking a bus to them is super easy if you can't walk.

5.What is your age? I'm late 20's

Where are you moving from?

Answer 2

I don't really know about prices for apartments, but I actually live in the neighborhood between Capitol Hill and the U District, and it's very safe here. There are a few select streets that you won't want to travel alone at certain times of day, especially on Capitol Hill, but the U District shouldn't be a problem.

It is definitely possible to go carless - a lot of people ride bikes, but if you're going to be on Capitol Hill, there will definitely be a lot of hills, which aren't always fun. The bus system is pretty good in the city - it just becomes a pain when you're trying to get into the suburbs.

There are plenty of big grocery stores as well as little markets around, so that won't be a problem, and there are a lot of college kids in the U District. On Capitol Hill depends more on the area - some parts are mostly older wealthy people, and others are more ghetto-ey. So I would recommend trying to get closer to the U District.

You also might want to look into the Eastlake neighborhood - there are a lot of young people and a lot of apartments in that area, and though I don't know the prices, I've known nursing students at UW to share apartments there, so it can't be too bad.

Answer 3

I lived in the U District for six years and never had a car-so that's no big deal. Don't know what a 2 bedroom would cost, since I rented a room in a house, but there is such a wide range of options to choose from. Just bring a lot of rain gear!

Answer 4

Im an Aussie and while staying in Seattle I found a Hostel (not scary at all) called the Green Tortoise right near the food market there... SO CHEAP!
It was actually a great place to stay for a while but then i guess its upto how long your staying there. Its a great way to meet people if you know no-one and always stuff to do


Good luck anyway

Answer 5

i live in tacoma so its a little dif.. but its gonna be from 1500-2000-$