Neighborhood help?

[hz80408]

Hi there, I usually post on S&B but am trying to do some research to help my sister. She's moving from Chicago (city proper) to Seattle in two weeks for a new company and is trying to figure out which neighborhood she wants an apt in.

Suggestions? From what I'm researching online I thought maybe Ballard or Junction area?

Info about her:
-late 20s, single
-wants local bakery, coffee shop, farmers market, wine bar in walking distance
-needs a parking space
-prefers larger apt complex (I have no idea on rents there but ideal rent would be $1500max)


Eta: she'll work in Bellevue

[karebear219]

Traffic can be really bad here. What neighborhood is her job? Is she driving or busing? That'll better help us.

[hz80408]

May 17, 2015 10:44:45 GMT -5 karebear219 said:

Traffic can be really bad here. What neighborhood is her job? Is she driving or busing? That'll better help us.

Good point; I added to OP, she'll work in Bellevue. She'd probably prefer public transit if it's an option for her location but she's anticipating having to drive to work

[Deleted]

Kirkland waterfront would be good too

mkate710 and karebear219 live there

[mkate710]

Hi! I work in downtown Bellevue and commute via bus from downtown Kirkland. It's pretty easy and I LOVE our town. She won't find an apt around here for $1500 but if she went about 5 mins north of me to the Juanita neighborhood she probably could. There is a cute village area and a beach up there.

[Deleted]

May 17, 2015 12:36:05 GMT -5 mkate710 said:

Hi! I work in downtown Bellevue and commute via bus from downtown Kirkland. It's pretty easy and I LOVE our town. She won't find an apt around here for $1500 but if she went about 5 mins north of me to the Juanita neighborhood she probably could. There is a cute village area and a beach up there.

I lived in juanita off of 124th like 9 or 10 years ago (omg, has it been that long?!) and had 1 br with parking spot for like $800 or 900. Is rent really that much now?!

I was maybe like a 5 minute drive from the waterfront. There used to be a good Thai place and wine bar near there too.

Ahhh, I have good memories of that place and juanita. <3

[karebear219]

You can get a one bedroom in Juanita for around $1300-1400. There are also studio apartments around for less. Highly recommend Juanita or dt. Kirkland if she can find a studio down there. Even dt. Bellevue is starting to have a younger seen if she can swing a studio.

Uw it's super sad our little two bedroom apartment we lived in over her that was just under $1200 dollars is now $1700 a month.

[mkate710]

The awesome Thai place and wine bar are still there! The wine bar is where karebear219 and I pig out on truffle fries. good times. I loved living in that neighborhood too. It's very chill. I heart downtown Kirkland to death but it's a little pretentious and, well, I don't like feeling like I have to be dressed to the nines to walk to coffee.

[mkate710]

hz80408 we'd love to connect with your sister as she gets closer to moving out here. If she lands on the Eastside karebear219 and I would be happy to get her acquainted with all the best happy hours in town if she's into that kind of thing

[hz80408]

May 17, 2015 13:24:48 GMT -5 mkate710 said:

hz80408 we'd love to connect with your sister as she gets closer to moving out here. If she lands on the Eastside karebear219 and I would be happy to get her acquainted with all the best happy hours in town if she's into that kind of thing

Thank you for the offer! I would love to set you guys up; she literally knows no one! I've met so many ladies from this board across the U.S. and passed on the boards links encouraging her to sign up!

[fiddles]

May 17, 2015 13:24:48 GMT -5 mkate710 said:

hz80408 we'd love to connect with your sister as she gets closer to moving out here. If she lands on the Eastside karebear219 and I would be happy to get her acquainted with all the best happy hours in town if she's into that kind of thing

Only if I can come to supervise!

[mkate710]

May 17, 2015 18:45:40 GMT -5 fiddles said:

May 17, 2015 13:24:48 GMT -5 mkate710 said:

hz80408 we'd love to connect with your sister as she gets closer to moving out here. If she lands on the Eastside karebear219 and I would be happy to get her acquainted with all the best happy hours in town if she's into that kind of thing

Only if I can come to supervise!

Somebody's gotta be the responsible adult here after all...

[stretchad]

I live in Issaquah Highlands which has all she wants in walking distance with exception of a farmer's market in walking distance (there is one in Issaquah though). There's even a park and ride where I'm assuming she could hop transit to D/T Bellevue. Issaquah Terrace is a neighborhood of brand new apartments across from the park & ride, walking distance to shops, grocery, movie theater, etc. That said, One watch out is that almost any of the suburbs east of bellevue will be maybe a little more kid-centric/heavy than if she stayed closer to Downtown Bellevue.

ETA: Issaquah Terrace

[pink]

I would actually recommend Seattle, probably Capitol Hill for easiest commute to Bellevue. She could get a studio in that price range, and I think late 20s single (especially coming from Chicago) the city is the place to be especially for her first year. Ballard or Fremont are going to be a huge pain for commute. Belltown is an option, but a ton of construction makes the commute east side worse.

[libbride]

My first thought was Capitol Hill, it would have the easiest commute to the Eastside. I think Redmond or Kirkland would be great too, although not the same city vibe, but lots to offer.

Commuting from Ballard to Bellevue would be horrible. Mercer Island is also very small with not a lot of restaurants and shops, so I can't recommend there. My B & SIL moved to there from Portland and they were very bored living there.

[hz80408]

Thanks for the help! I think she's narrowed in on either Belltown (knowing it's not an ideal commute) or Capitol Hill

[fiddles]

May 17, 2015 19:02:50 GMT -5 mkate710 said:

May 17, 2015 18:45:40 GMT -5 fiddles said:

Only if I can come to supervise!

Somebody's gotta be the responsible adult here after all...

Oh well, you said responsible adult. That leaves me out.

[hz80408]

She ended up deciding on a place in Capitol Hill; thanks again for the help!

[fiddles]

May 20, 2015 9:00:29 GMT -5 hz80408 said:

She ended up deciding on a place in Capitol Hill; thanks again for the help!

Important question.  Is she a Sox or Cubs fan?

[hz80408]

May 20, 2015 13:56:58 GMT -5 fiddles said:

May 20, 2015 9:00:29 GMT -5 hz80408 said:

She ended up deciding on a place in Capitol Hill; thanks again for the help!

Important question.  Is she a Sox or Cubs fan?

I think she's indifferent but if she had to choose, it'd be Cubs