autoxer_minh

iTrader: (6)

Hello Northwest peeps! I'm planning on moving to the Seattle area within the next 3 months and was hoping for some info from some friendly locals. I'll probably end up working in Everett but I'd like to live close to Seattle. I'm curious how far south of Everett I could live before the commute gets too bad. I've lived in LA before so I know what bad traffic is like but that was a long time a go. I've been spoiled by the open roads here in OK. I'm thinking as long as the commute is less than an hour when traffic is at it's worst, then I can deal with it. I'm trying to get out there soon to get a good feel for the place but any advice would be appreciated.

I'm looking forward to moving to Seattle and meeting some of you folks. There aren't too many Evos here in Oklahoma, just lots of pickup trucks. If anybody has the lowdown on rental properties with 2 bedrooms and a garage (a bathroom might come in handy also) for under 1500 please let me know. Peace out.

AznEvoIX

iTrader: (16)

Welcome!

Traffic on I-5, is bad around 6-10 AM and 3-6 PM. Depending on where you work, I dont suggest moving too close to Seattle primarily for a couple reasons:

1) Its get more expensive as you get closer to Seattle.

2) Traffic gets worse the close you get to Seattle.

3) Accidents are prone on I-5 Monday thru Friday.

Good luck on finding some property to rent though. =D

I came from Texas so I understand your predicament, but I was originally from here so I'm used to all this. Come to the meet when you get here. Its stickied on top, title should be something along the lines of: "North End Meets".

Welcome to the Pacific Northwest! =D

Lancerguy'03

iTrader: (8)

I-5 will tear the paint on your car up.

wrceuro

Don't do it. It's horrible here. Traffic sucks, there are cops all over the and the people here suck. They are the worst that I have every known. The Evo owners are arragant and they act like they are the S**t. It's a very expensive place and it really has no reason to be. I moved back to Chicago and could not be happier. I hate Wa with all thats in me. The only nice people there are English Racing and the people that work for them. Also there is this cool cat with a really really nice silver evo. He is the only one worth talking to. But in general I consider Seattle, WA = Hell. Don't come here and if you did look to move out ASAP. I am not wrong.

CA$H

iTrader: (9)

I live in North Seattle. It's busy, and if you think you're gunna street race ~ your crazy...just too much traffic, so having an Evo around Seattle is boring. (coming from Cleveland,OH) Good luck trying to find a credible place with a garage for 1,500.(rent)(in Seattle) Rains alot and gloomy days from Nov.-June.

welcome and good luck...

etuhs

iTrader: (2)

wow...

Lancerguy'03

iTrader: (8)

some of the best driving roads in the US are along the coast up there......so you will PLENTY of nice roads to drive on.....and Kent is where the "street racing" was...sure it still is. but its ghetto in Kent. and stay out of N. Seattle...lots of crazy liberals up there. Tacoma is a decent city to live in....about 20-30min south of Seattle but much cheaper.

yahu

iTrader: (55)

damn, someone got butthurt by the PNW! There are a lot of nice people in the PNW - in fact, sometimes too nice (someone needs to move at the 4-way stop!) It is very liberal here, which can sometimes suck (tree-huggin', prius driving freaks), and the gloominess can be a downer, but there is a lot to do. Gorgeous summers and plenty of snowboarding/skiing in the winter.

If you really want to be close to the city I would recommend living no closer than Wallingford, Fremont, etc. Rent should be much cheaper and you are on the North side of a bridge that creates a lot of traffic, but there are alternative routes to the city and it is close to the UW, which has pros/cons.

I would recommend hooking up with some peeps before getting a place and figuring out what you really want in a place. Good luck and welcome!

autoxer_minh

iTrader: (6)

Thanks for the replies and welcomes guys. I'll definitely check out the meet ups once I get into town.

CA$H, I'm not sure why you brought up street racing but I definitely am not looking for that kind of trouble. I get my adrenaline rush autocrossing and the occasional track day.

I don't think I'll mind the rain and gloomy weather too much. I actually look forward to cool overcast days compared to the scorching hot summer weather we get in this part of the country. At least all that rain in the PNW improves the scenery. I'm the type that will just hop in the car and to go look for a scenic drive through winding roads.

I've done a little online searching for rentals already so yeah, I don't expect to find what I'm looking for anywhere near downtown Seattle. I just want to be close enough that it isn't a major expedition just to get down there to explore the city. The great thing about renting is that you're only stuck in a place for as long as your lease period. I'll have to hit you guys up for some reviews on any places I consider. I'll remember to live on the right side of the bridges.

Thanks again for the info!

nothere

iTrader: (23)

currently commuting from bellevue to everett, about 35 minutes each way.
mornings leave at 6, afternoons leave from 3:30 to 5.

running with the main commute is rotten.
everett is a neat town that needs about thirty more years to become hip. course by then it could languish like tacoma.


take a look art Edmunds, sort of half way between Sea. and Everett

AznEvoIX

iTrader: (16)

Hrm, my experiences are very different from yours.

wrceuro

I don't know how the people up north are but the ones by Kent and Auburn and that area? hahahaha Suck!

AznEvoIX

iTrader: (16)

If you're talking down South, yeah, I would say that too.

I used to go down to the Kent Races all the time. Some are cool, some of them aren't. Thats why I don't go down there anymore. But I'll leave it at that.

Hell, you should've come up to the North. We be playin' pool and eattin' some good fooooooooodz........ yo. LOL. (^_^)

Oh well, its unfortunate you had a bad expirience.

divine_evo

iTrader: (5)

I've had a much different experience. Instead I seen a few STI owners and maybe one evo owner who was arragant but overall a lot better then the way you are describing your experience. I'll agree that traffic can suck at times but if you know how to get around it and plan your commute you can avoid much of the traffic.

WestSideBilly

iTrader: (1)

"Close to Seattle" is a relative term. Someone suggested Edmunds, but you could also look in Mill Creek, Bothell, Kenmore, Mountlake Terrace, or Shoreline. All of these places will put you about 20-40 minutes into Everett, and reasonably close to Seattle proper for evening/weekend shenanigans. Edmunds, Mountlake, Shoreline, etc will have decent bus routes into the city; Mill Creek, Bothell, Kenmore etc are more suburban and you'll likely have to drive.

You will have a hard time finding rentals with garages in general, but especially in the city. With your budget, you should be able to find some decent places a little further north.

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/apa/1375062207.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/apa/1374577586.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/apa/1375648300.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/est/apa/1374572802.html

Just some examples. Craigslist is the best place to find rental houses in Seattle.

DO NOT LIVE SOUTH OF SEATTLE

There are some nice places south of Seattle, but the commute will make you hate life and you'll end up bitter and confused like wrceuro.

Speaking of arrogant.

Traffic in Seattle sucks, especially on 405 south from Bellevue, I-5 between the 405 merges, and 520... all the time. But I've never turned my car off and talked to people in other cars for an hour without moving an inch, which I've done twice in Chicago. I also particularly enjoy paying $2 to go from downtown to the NW burbs and averaging < 5MPH. Yeah, Chicago traffic is AWESOME.

People in Seattle are generally nice, albeit not particularly friendly or outgoing. I moved here 3 years ago, it takes a while to find people who aren't engrossed in their iPods and iPhones and other i****, but you'll find your niche quick enough.