Help finding a place to live for 3 months in Seattle, starting next week
June 29, 2017 1:29 PM Subscribe
My girlfriend just job a job offer for a 3 month position in Seattle, great. Problem: Neither of us know the area, and the first day is in ONE WEEK TODAY. So we need to find her a place to live within transit distance of Westlake, maybe in the South Lake Union or Belltown areas, and we need her to be able to move in very soon, by the end of next week.
Neither of us know Seattle at all, so we aren't sure what neighbourhoods are safe, and how reliable transit is, things like that. Does anyone have recommendations on where she could look to rent a room, basement, whatever for 3 months. Any other advice about her living in Seattle would be appreciated.
Neither of us know Seattle at all, so we aren't sure what neighbourhoods are safe, and how reliable transit is, things like that. Does anyone have recommendations on where she could look to rent a room, basement, whatever for 3 months. Any other advice about her living in Seattle would be appreciated.
Response by poster: corb: She'd like an hour or less commute, but doesn't know if that is realistic. Ideally, we would like her to be able to find something under $1700/month, but again, we don't know how realistic that is.
posted by Canageek at 1:45 PM on June 29, 2017
posted by Canageek at 1:45 PM on June 29, 2017
aPodments have 3 month leases; this sounds perfect for your needs.
I live in one, myself. They have locations all over.
posted by spinifex23 at 1:47 PM on June 29, 2017 [1 favorite]
I live in one, myself. They have locations all over.
posted by spinifex23 at 1:47 PM on June 29, 2017 [1 favorite]
Yeah, those parameters = no problem. Seattle has low violent crime and is making a real effort in transit: she'll still want to download OneBusAway for real time transit data and have a US data plan for maximum sanity.
posted by batter_my_heart at 1:52 PM on June 29, 2017
posted by batter_my_heart at 1:52 PM on June 29, 2017
Best answer: Harbor Steps has studio apartments downtown. They're within walking distance of Westlake and literally blocks away from Pike Place Market.
posted by dancing_angel at 2:14 PM on June 29, 2017
posted by dancing_angel at 2:14 PM on June 29, 2017
Best answer: I forgot to mention with the aPodments - they're furnished. It's not the swankiest setup, but there's a bed, desk, chair, shelf, and a rack to hang clothes in.
posted by spinifex23 at 2:15 PM on June 29, 2017
posted by spinifex23 at 2:15 PM on June 29, 2017
Response by poster: Spinfex23: They only list one vacancy, for a 5 month lease if Fremont. Seeing if that works with transit and probably contacting anyway, as even with the extra two months it is enough cheaper it might still be worth it. Thanks.
posted by Canageek at 2:50 PM on June 29, 2017 [1 favorite]
posted by Canageek at 2:50 PM on June 29, 2017 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Question: What are the best places to look for apartments, sublets, basements, etc in Seattle? When looking in BC I used Zumper and ForRent, but neither are finding sublets or roomates. Are there common websites to use when looking for those type of locations?
posted by Canageek at 2:56 PM on June 29, 2017
posted by Canageek at 2:56 PM on June 29, 2017
Best answer: Hotpads is a nice resource.
She should be pretty set with a budget of 1700/month. I live in the Central District and my neighbor has a room for rent in his house for $875* which is pretty close to standard for large shared space. A one bed will run around 1300 for the neighborhoods you mention. Seattle is pretty safe, overall. Capitol Hill and Pioneer Square/International District will be the city core hoods that I least recommend living in.
*memail me if you're interested!! Short term rental is super ideal for his house situation, and it's always cool to meet mefites and their circle. :)
posted by zinful at 4:43 PM on June 29, 2017
She should be pretty set with a budget of 1700/month. I live in the Central District and my neighbor has a room for rent in his house for $875* which is pretty close to standard for large shared space. A one bed will run around 1300 for the neighborhoods you mention. Seattle is pretty safe, overall. Capitol Hill and Pioneer Square/International District will be the city core hoods that I least recommend living in.
*memail me if you're interested!! Short term rental is super ideal for his house situation, and it's always cool to meet mefites and their circle. :)
posted by zinful at 4:43 PM on June 29, 2017
I think Craigslist is still pretty strong in Seattle - large established buildings post there, as well as individuals looking for housemates etc.
posted by batter_my_heart at 5:50 PM on June 29, 2017 [3 favorites]
posted by batter_my_heart at 5:50 PM on June 29, 2017 [3 favorites]
Here is a great wiki with lots of info on moving/living in Seattle.
Things to think about:
1. Parking. From what you described, it sounds like she should not bring a car to Seattle. The areas you mentioned are well served by transit. Parking is scarce and expensive. Apartments in the areas you seek either do not provide parking, or charge a lot to rent a space. When choosing an apartment, check the transit routes. If you need an occasional car, Car2Go subscription is really convenient. Register before you get here... there is a waiting period. I think I saw a discount in facebook or Gmail? Or you can memail me and I might have a referral discount.
2. Air Conditioning. Most residential buildings do not have central air conditioning. Most summer days, it's fine with open windows and a fan. But we do get serious heat waves. (Buy a cheap box fan before it gets really hot.) Someone mentioned Harbor Steps. I lived there in July a few years ago. Harbor Steps was really nice! But there was a two weeks stretch of 90-100 degree heat. Our Harbor Steps southwest-facing apartment was beyond miserable. If I were here for summer only, I'd think about north/east facing windows, and cross ventilation.
3. Crime. It's true there's not much violent crime. (Lots of property crime.) However, as a women, I recommend that solo women be careful after dark. Use Lyft cars, stick to busier streets. You know -- common sense. Good thing it stays light out past 9pm in summer!
posted by valannc at 1:29 PM on July 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
Things to think about:
1. Parking. From what you described, it sounds like she should not bring a car to Seattle. The areas you mentioned are well served by transit. Parking is scarce and expensive. Apartments in the areas you seek either do not provide parking, or charge a lot to rent a space. When choosing an apartment, check the transit routes. If you need an occasional car, Car2Go subscription is really convenient. Register before you get here... there is a waiting period. I think I saw a discount in facebook or Gmail? Or you can memail me and I might have a referral discount.
2. Air Conditioning. Most residential buildings do not have central air conditioning. Most summer days, it's fine with open windows and a fan. But we do get serious heat waves. (Buy a cheap box fan before it gets really hot.) Someone mentioned Harbor Steps. I lived there in July a few years ago. Harbor Steps was really nice! But there was a two weeks stretch of 90-100 degree heat. Our Harbor Steps southwest-facing apartment was beyond miserable. If I were here for summer only, I'd think about north/east facing windows, and cross ventilation.
3. Crime. It's true there's not much violent crime. (Lots of property crime.) However, as a women, I recommend that solo women be careful after dark. Use Lyft cars, stick to busier streets. You know -- common sense. Good thing it stays light out past 9pm in summer!
posted by valannc at 1:29 PM on July 2, 2017 [2 favorites]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by corb at 1:29 PM on June 29, 2017 [1 favorite]