Looks like Drifter is moving to Seattle! (1 Viewer)

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Getting from West Seattle to downtown is pretty easy IMO. Have bus, ferry, or a short drive through traffic.

Some great views too.

 

[The General]

Greenlake, no pictures

Small, but damn! (West Seattle)

West Seattle - Meh

Cats are definitely the limiting factor

Both the first two have only one bath. Really want at least 1.75. Might go to 1.5 for a fantastic place.

I actually like the third one. Was posted 30 days ago, though.

Here are what I think are our full criteria for a rental:

At least 2 BR

At least 1.75 BA

Strong preference for at least 1200 sq ft but might be willing to work with slightly less if otherwise fantastic

Must accept (preferably four) cats

Some sort of outdoor space--a deck or yard or even a balcony

If an apt/condo, must be on top floor

Not too far, not suburban, basically the neighborhoods we've discussed. For a rental I can be more flexible on this.

Pardon me while I bump in here for some unsolicited opinions...

I own a home about 1 mile from the one at Greenlake. That location is pretty convenient you can be downtown in about 10 minutes, to Ballard / Freemont in about 10 minutes to the East Side in about 20 minutes, and to Greenlake in about 1 minute. Greenlake is great in the summer and a really nice / walk jog area. From that place you are walking distance to some small shopping areas, quite a few bars and restaurants, and a Whole Foods.

That street the house is on is really busy though not sure if that is a concern.

West Seattle would be a great place to live if you don't have to commute to often.

Enjoy Seattle, great place to live.

You do not need a "pardon me"--really appreciate your post!!! Are you in Seattle now?

We don't mind "busy" at all; if we were buying it would be a concern though just in terms of resale.

As I won't have a commute (and Mr. krista's would be dependent upon a lot of things), West Seattle keeps looking better and better...

Yeah, I live close to that Greenlake house so I like the area quite a bit. Can walk and bike to tons of bars, restaurants and grocery stores.

I drive by that house probably a couple times a week and that street isn't a freeway or anything but is pretty heavy with traffic. People would be driving fairly slow since there are nearing a stop sign though. Just something to consider.

West Seattle is a very cool contained neighborhood a tad bit isolated IMO but everything is there and it is not too bad of a drive to downtown. Would be high on my places in town to live but commute would not work for me.

Pretty much any of the neighborhoods north of Lake Union (the water just north of downtown Seattle) up to around 100th are going to be nice (that's from Ballard / North Beach on the west side all the way over to Matthews Beach on the east side if you are looking at google maps).

Don't know a ton about Columbia City area. The reputation as has been said is it can be a bit dodgy in parts. One of the bigwigs at my work lives in the area and loves it.

 

[krista4]

Getting from West Seattle to downtown is pretty easy IMO. Have bus, ferry, or a short drive through traffic.

Some great views too.

This is one of the things we learned, oddly enough, on vacation right now. We had "views" on our list, but we put it in the same realm as "pizza oven" as something that is great but not necessary. But as much as I work sometimes and the amount that I just LOVE having water in my sights when I do, we realized we should put more of a premium on view than we had. This is why West Seattle has shot up the rankings, since we can get some walkability if we're near the junction but still get views as well.

Greenlake, no pictures

Small, but damn! (West Seattle)

West Seattle - Meh

Cats are definitely the limiting factor

Both the first two have only one bath. Really want at least 1.75. Might go to 1.5 for a fantastic place.

I actually like the third one. Was posted 30 days ago, though.

Here are what I think are our full criteria for a rental:

At least 2 BR

At least 1.75 BA

Strong preference for at least 1200 sq ft but might be willing to work with slightly less if otherwise fantastic

Must accept (preferably four) cats

Some sort of outdoor space--a deck or yard or even a balcony

If an apt/condo, must be on top floor

Not too far, not suburban, basically the neighborhoods we've discussed. For a rental I can be more flexible on this.

Pardon me while I bump in here for some unsolicited opinions...

I own a home about 1 mile from the one at Greenlake. That location is pretty convenient you can be downtown in about 10 minutes, to Ballard / Freemont in about 10 minutes to the East Side in about 20 minutes, and to Greenlake in about 1 minute. Greenlake is great in the summer and a really nice / walk jog area. From that place you are walking distance to some small shopping areas, quite a few bars and restaurants, and a Whole Foods.

That street the house is on is really busy though not sure if that is a concern.

West Seattle would be a great place to live if you don't have to commute to often.

Enjoy Seattle, great place to live.

You do not need a "pardon me"--really appreciate your post!!! Are you in Seattle now?

We don't mind "busy" at all; if we were buying it would be a concern though just in terms of resale.

As I won't have a commute (and Mr. krista's would be dependent upon a lot of things), West Seattle keeps looking better and better...

Yeah, I live close to that Greenlake house so I like the area quite a bit. Can walk and bike to tons of bars, restaurants and grocery stores.

I drive by that house probably a couple times a week and that street isn't a freeway or anything but is pretty heavy with traffic. People would be driving fairly slow since there are nearing a stop sign though. Just something to consider.

West Seattle is a very cool contained neighborhood a tad bit isolated IMO but everything is there and it is not too bad of a drive to downtown. Would be high on my places in town to live but commute would not work for me.

Pretty much any of the neighborhoods north of Lake Union (the water just north of downtown Seattle) up to around 100th are going to be nice (that's from Ballard / North Beach on the west side all the way over to Matthews Beach on the east side if you are looking at google maps).

Don't know a ton about Columbia City area. The reputation as has been said is it can be a bit dodgy in parts. One of the bigwigs at my work lives in the area and loves it.

Fantastic info all around. I really appreciate your thoughts on everything. interesting that you have a "bigwig" near Columbia City. As much as we loved it I thought we might need to take it off the list given some of the feedback. Then again, people like ARude who live in similar areas to mine in Chicago have a good perspective for the types of places we like, and he was a fan. When we went there last we took the "long way" around to get back to Capitol Hill and drove around the lake--so beautiful. I do think "sketchy" areas in Seattle are all a matter of perspective, coming from Chicago.

 

[El Floppo]

I don't know why I just caught up on this thread.

But I have an important question- 1.75 Baths? I'm no MOP, but this confuses me. Full bath and second with a shower? Full Bath, powder room (toilet and sink) plus... an outdoor toilet? 7 toilets?

Good luck K4! I wish our life was exciting as yours.

Signed,

mired in a city in a tiny apartment.

I hadn't seen that before, either. 0.75 bath apparently is a bathroom with a shower but no tub. I've also seen 0.25 bath but haven't figured out what that is--just a sink or just a toilet? I like the seven toilets idea, though.

Thanks. This 0.75 bath thing is a game-changer for me. My whole business world has been turned upside down.

And I"m still following along with this thread... for absolutely no reason.

I have 3 bathrooms that total 2.25. one that is full, one that is .75 and one that is .50.

Same... except I just have one that is 2.25.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Fwiw, if we went back to Seattle we were considering Columbia City but I definitely loved West Seattle. We were limited to the South Side for commute reasons though. It is a bit isolated but still very close to most places you'll care about (restaurants, bars, etc). Plus the Water Taxi is there or a quick Ferry to Vashon Island is a great day trip. There's a million things to do around Seattle and I feel like neighborhood where you live is probably not as important as it might be in other cities, if you don't need to worry about traffic for a work commute at least. Definitely try to aim for a great view though. It's so worth it.

 

[-fish-]

Columbia City is the only place in Seattle where I personally know people who have been robbed at gunpoint. People,as in plural.

 

[MarcO]

Columbia City is the only place in Seattle where I personally know people who have been robbed at gunpoint. People,as in plural.

I'm curious of when that was - because these days it's pretty crime free. I'm wondering if you're mistakenly lumping Columbia City in with Rainier Valley as a whole?

 

[-fish-]

Columbia City is the only place in Seattle where I personally know people who have been robbed at gunpoint. People,as in plural.

I'm curious of when that was - because these days it's pretty crime free. I'm wondering if you're mistakenly lumping Columbia City in with Rainier Valley as a whole?

no. I represent homeowners, homeowners association and condominium associations. because I need to go onsite to all of my clients' projects, I'm very familiar with most neighborhoods in Seattle. These incidents are all within the last 2 years.

I know many people who live there through my practice. I also am aware of many of their police matters. It's not a place I'd consider living.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Like downtown Memphis dangerous?

 

[-fish-]

Like downtown Memphis dangerous?

No, not Memphis or East St. Louis, but compared to other places in Seattle, pretty crappy.

columbia city crime map

 

[krista4]

Fwiw, if we went back to Seattle we were considering Columbia City but I definitely loved West Seattle. We were limited to the South Side for commute reasons though. It is a bit isolated but still very close to most places you'll care about (restaurants, bars, etc). Plus the Water Taxi is there or a quick Ferry to Vashon Island is a great day trip. There's a million things to do around Seattle and I feel like neighborhood where you live is probably not as important as it might be in other cities, if you don't need to worry about traffic for a work commute at least. Definitely try to aim for a great view though. It's so worth it.

Yeah, as we consider it more, I just don't see why I'd live in such a beautiful city and not have a view.

Columbia City is the only place in Seattle where I personally know people who have been robbed at gunpoint. People,as in plural.

I'm curious of when that was - because these days it's pretty crime free. I'm wondering if you're mistakenly lumping Columbia City in with Rainier Valley as a whole?

no. I represent homeowners, homeowners association and condominium associations. because I need to go onsite to all of my clients' projects, I'm very familiar with most neighborhoods in Seattle. These incidents are all within the last 2 years.

I know many people who live there through my practice. I also am aware of many of their police matters. It's not a place I'd consider living.

I can't figure this out because you clearly know a lot about these matters, yet you're the only person I've heard this from (including realtors and others also in the know, as well as friends and people here). Maybe you are to Columbia City what SLB is to...well, all his friends?

 

[krista4]

Like downtown Memphis dangerous?

No, not Memphis or East St. Louis, but compared to other places in Seattle, pretty crappy.

columbia city crime map

I looked at a bunch of crime maps for Atlanta a few months ago, too. There's always a lot more on any area than I expect; there's just so much more crime going on around me than I realize. Anyway, on this one, I put Ballard in and it looked similar to Columbia City. West Seattle, on the other hand, looked much better. Interesting.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

My identity was stolen in West Seattle (actually true). Only crime I've ever been a victim of and I've lived in areas probably 10x sketchier than Columbia City.

 

[krista4]

My identity was stolen in West Seattle (actually true). Only crime I've ever been a victim of and I've lived in areas probably 10x sketchier than Columbia City.

Oh, I remember when that happened. Didn't realize it was West Seattle.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

My identity was stolen in West Seattle (actually true). Only crime I've ever been a victim of and I've lived in areas probably 10x sketchier than Columbia City.

Oh, I remember when that happened. Didn't realize it was West Seattle.

f'n meth heads

 

[krista4]

Anyone able to go to an open house for me on Sunday? I'm quite serious and will pay you back in beer, food or cold hard cash. Since our realtor is still UNAVAILABLE and it would cost $1250 for me to send Mr. krista for a one-day trip, I'm just asking... This is the house that we will be bidding on (if you give me the thumbs-up) in an estate sale. It's in West Seattle.

 

[Drifter]

Anyone able to go to an open house for me on Sunday? I'm quite serious and will pay you back in beer, food or cold hard cash. Since our realtor is still UNAVAILABLE and it would cost $1250 for me to send Mr. krista for a one-day trip, I'm just asking... This is the house that we will be bidding on (if you give me the thumbs-up) in an estate sale. It's in West Seattle.

In West Seattle? Sure, I'll go

 

[El Floppo]

btw- I've spent the entire day trying to shoe-horn 1.75 baths into a space that held 1.5. ####### American Disabilities Act ruins everything.

but yeah... seattle etc.

I'm also in awe of drifter for doing this for you, k4.

 

[Fennis]

Ill do it for $1249

 

[Hooper31]

Can't wait for the great Seattle cornhole of '14!

I vote we make it a day of golf.

 

[tommyGunZ]

Anyone able to go to an open house for me on Sunday? I'm quite serious and will pay you back in beer, food or cold hard cash. Since our realtor is still UNAVAILABLE and it would cost $1250 for me to send Mr. krista for a one-day trip, I'm just asking... This is the house that we will be bidding on (if you give me the thumbs-up) in an estate sale. It's in West Seattle.

In West Seattle? Sure, I'll go

You're a good man Drifter. But we already knew that.

 

[krista4]

Anyone able to go to an open house for me on Sunday? I'm quite serious and will pay you back in beer, food or cold hard cash. Since our realtor is still UNAVAILABLE and it would cost $1250 for me to send Mr. krista for a one-day trip, I'm just asking... This is the house that we will be bidding on (if you give me the thumbs-up) in an estate sale. It's in West Seattle.

In West Seattle? Sure, I'll go

You're a good man Drifter. But we already knew that.

Drifter is the best of the best. You guys have no idea how much he has helped me in the past with some other matters, too. Love this guy.

I'll send you a FB note (I think we are still FB friends?) with the address. The open house is from 11-2. Wanna video anything? OK, you don't really have to.

Remember that this would be in the realm of "krista wants to buy a house with no mortgage" so don't expect huge luxury or anything. But, it does have views(!!!) and more.

I'll send you a note but PLEASE know that if something comes up and you can't go, don't feel bad at all. You're the best.

 

[proninja]

If something comes up for Drifter, let me know.

 

[krista4]

If something comes up for Drifter, let me know.

You guys could meet there and cornhole?

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Open Cornhousehole!

 

[Drifter]

Anyone able to go to an open house for me on Sunday? I'm quite serious and will pay you back in beer, food or cold hard cash. Since our realtor is still UNAVAILABLE and it would cost $1250 for me to send Mr. krista for a one-day trip, I'm just asking... This is the house that we will be bidding on (if you give me the thumbs-up) in an estate sale. It's in West Seattle.

In West Seattle? Sure, I'll go

You're a good man Drifter. But we already knew that.

Drifter is the best of the best. You guys have no idea how much he has helped me in the past with some other matters, too. Love this guy.

I'll send you a FB note (I think we are still FB friends?) with the address. The open house is from 11-2. Wanna video anything? OK, you don't really have to.

Remember that this would be in the realm of "krista wants to buy a house with no mortgage" so don't expect huge luxury or anything. But, it does have views(!!!) and more.

I'll send you a note but PLEASE know that if something comes up and you can't go, don't feel bad at all. You're the best.

Send me the info. I'll take plenty of pictures and if I think anything is better demonstrated with video, I'll take phone video as well.

 

[krista4]

Anyone able to go to an open house for me on Sunday? I'm quite serious and will pay you back in beer, food or cold hard cash. Since our realtor is still UNAVAILABLE and it would cost $1250 for me to send Mr. krista for a one-day trip, I'm just asking... This is the house that we will be bidding on (if you give me the thumbs-up) in an estate sale. It's in West Seattle.

In West Seattle? Sure, I'll go

You're a good man Drifter. But we already knew that.

Drifter is the best of the best. You guys have no idea how much he has helped me in the past with some other matters, too. Love this guy.

I'll send you a FB note (I think we are still FB friends?) with the address. The open house is from 11-2. Wanna video anything? OK, you don't really have to.

Remember that this would be in the realm of "krista wants to buy a house with no mortgage" so don't expect huge luxury or anything. But, it does have views(!!!) and more.

I'll send you a note but PLEASE know that if something comes up and you can't go, don't feel bad at all. You're the best.

Send me the info. I'll take plenty of pictures and if I think anything is better demonstrated with video, I'll take phone video as well.

I sent you a FB message...I think.

 

[krista4]

Open Cornhousehole!

It's kind of fun. Has to be a first for the board, yes? (I know you have a powerful notebook.)

 

[Britney Spears]

Anyone able to go to an open house for me on Sunday? I'm quite serious and will pay you back in beer, food or cold hard cash. Since our realtor is still UNAVAILABLE and it would cost $1250 for me to send Mr. krista for a one-day trip, I'm just asking... This is the house that we will be bidding on (if you give me the thumbs-up) in an estate sale. It's in West Seattle.

In West Seattle? Sure, I'll go

During the Seahawks game?!

 

[Britney Spears]

I must admit my reaction was the same as Rovers around the topic of Columbia City, and I live in Kent.

If my wife didn't work in Tacoma, I would definitely live in West Seattle.

When I get old and my boy moves out, I'd like to live downtown.

 

[krista4]

Anyone able to go to an open house for me on Sunday? I'm quite serious and will pay you back in beer, food or cold hard cash. Since our realtor is still UNAVAILABLE and it would cost $1250 for me to send Mr. krista for a one-day trip, I'm just asking... This is the house that we will be bidding on (if you give me the thumbs-up) in an estate sale. It's in West Seattle.

In West Seattle? Sure, I'll go

During the Seahawks game?!

Oops. But it's 11-2. Don't you guy have football start at 8 a.m. or something?

 

[krista4]

What's the word on the University District? I have a backup to the West Seattle house that looks nice...

 

[Drifter]

Students.

 

[-fish-]

I must admit my reaction was the same as Rovers around the topic of Columbia City, and I live in Kent.

If my wife didn't work in Tacoma, I would definitely live in West Seattle.

When I get old and my boy moves out, I'd like to live downtown.

Same. I like west Seattle. If I had no kid, I'd be downtown

 

[The General]

Anyone able to go to an open house for me on Sunday? I'm quite serious and will pay you back in beer, food or cold hard cash. Since our realtor is still UNAVAILABLE and it would cost $1250 for me to send Mr. krista for a one-day trip, I'm just asking... This is the house that we will be bidding on (if you give me the thumbs-up) in an estate sale. It's in West Seattle.

In West Seattle? Sure, I'll go

During the Seahawks game?!

Oops. But it's 11-2. Don't you guy have football start at 8 a.m. or something?

Not trying to cause trouble here but you owe Drifter BIG TIME. I can't believe they are showing a house at the time on Sunday!

 

[Drifter]

Eh. It's 5 minutes from my house and the games don't start until noon

 

[The General]

What's the word on the University District? I have a backup to the West Seattle house that looks nice...

U District is a good location, you are pretty much 20 minutes from everywhere. Should be able to get good deal on places there. Obviously there are going to be college kids all over the place so you may get some as neighbors. Has kind of a weird vibe IMO since a lot of the places there are rentals. Not a bad place to live at all though.

 

[The General]

Eh. It's 5 minutes from my house and the games don't start until noon

That's perfect. Good karma for the game.

 

[Aaron Rudnicki]

Not sure Drifter has adopted the Seahawks yet anyway.

 

[Britney Spears]

What's the word on the University District? I have a backup to the West Seattle house that looks nice...

U District is a good location, you are pretty much 20 minutes from everywhere. Should be able to get good deal on places there. Obviously there are going to be college kids all over the place so you may get some as neighbors. Has kind of a weird vibe IMO since a lot of the places there are rentals. Not a bad place to live at all though.

Nothing in Seattle is 20 minutes from everywhere, unless you have a helicopter, which Krista might...

 

[The General]

What's the word on the University District? I have a backup to the West Seattle house that looks nice...

U District is a good location, you are pretty much 20 minutes from everywhere. Should be able to get good deal on places there. Obviously there are going to be college kids all over the place so you may get some as neighbors. Has kind of a weird vibe IMO since a lot of the places there are rentals. Not a bad place to live at all though.

Nothing in Seattle is 20 minutes from everywhere, unless you have a helicopter, which Krista might...

Helicopter would be nice for sure.

But, unless you are talking rush hour you can get from U District to the Capitiol Hill area, the Ballard / Freemont areas, Wallingford /GreenLake, Northgate, Downtown, Queen Anne all within about 20 minutes.

Then add another 20 minutes to find parking...

 

[meanjoegreen]

Not sure Drifter has adopted the Seahawks yet anyway.

The Broncos play first, and I believe he moved from Denver.

 

[krista4]

 

[krista4]

You guys like West Seattle better than Ballard or Fremont, then? Is that a proximity issue?

How about Queen Anne? Where is that in your rankings?

 

[-fish-]

You guys like West Seattle better than Ballard or Fremont, then? Is that a proximity issue?

How about Queen Anne? Where is that in your rankings?

I like Ballard, but it's kind of a pain in the ### to get in and out.

Fremont is just too many freaking hippies. The whole place reeks of patchouli.

Queen Anne would be among my top neighborhoods if I was moving to Seattle. I think it would be about even for me with West Seattle. I also like parts of Capitol Hill a lot. I'd put Ballard about even with the U District

But if you keep disparaging Breaking Bad, you and your pizza oven can go right ahead and move to Columbia City.

 

[Drifter]

Queen Anne is the yuppiest neighborhood in Seattle so definitely more people in your income bracket. West Seattle and Ballard have their share as well but Ballard is mixed with many young people and West Seattle actually has some diversity as well as a little more of an aging hippy element (and Eddie Vedder)

 

[krista4]

Queen Anne is the yuppiest neighborhood in Seattle so definitely more people in your income bracket. West Seattle and Ballard have their share as well but Ballard is mixed with many young people and West Seattle actually has some diversity as well as a little more of an aging hippy element (and Eddie Vedder)

I like diversity and hippies a whole lot more than I like yuppies. West Seattle just looking better and better all the time!

fish, I really appreciate your thoughts on all those neighborhoods. I'll try to like Breaking Bad better.

 

[Britney Spears]

You guys like West Seattle better than Ballard or Fremont, then? Is that a proximity issue?

How about Queen Anne? Where is that in your rankings?

I like Ballard, but it's kind of a pain in the ### to get in and out.

Fremont is just too many freaking hippies. The whole place reeks of patchouli.

Queen Anne would be among my top neighborhoods if I was moving to Seattle. I think it would be about even for me with West Seattle. I also like parts of Capitol Hill a lot. I'd put Ballard about even with the U District

But if you keep disparaging Breaking Bad, you and your pizza oven can go right ahead and move to Columbia City.

Pretty much complete alignment here.

 

[-fish-]

You guys like West Seattle better than Ballard or Fremont, then? Is that a proximity issue?

How about Queen Anne? Where is that in your rankings?

I like Ballard, but it's kind of a pain in the ### to get in and out.

Fremont is just too many freaking hippies. The whole place reeks of patchouli.

Queen Anne would be among my top neighborhoods if I was moving to Seattle. I think it would be about even for me with West Seattle. I also like parts of Capitol Hill a lot. I'd put Ballard about even with the U District

But if you keep disparaging Breaking Bad, you and your pizza oven can go right ahead and move to Columbia City.

Pretty much complete alignment here.

I knew we were soulmates

 

[seahawk 17]

You guys like West Seattle better than Ballard or Fremont, then? Is that a proximity issue?

How about Queen Anne? Where is that in your rankings?

I lived on Blaine street in Queen Anne. I can't say enough about the area, but it's high priced. Tell me a little about your situation and I can sell you/talk you out of it.