Moving to WA later in the year to work for Amazon's Bellevue office. Wanted to get others' thoughts on which area to target for living (rent a studio/small 1B1B). I'm a 28 year old single male, priorities would be nice clean neighborhood with good restaurant options, with trails/lakes/beaches close by. Commute not a factor right now since will be WFH for a while, but might be starting next summer. From what I've heard, Seattle has homelessness. Bellevue is nicer(?) but might be more expensive. L5 SDE TC: 228k YOE: 2
Bellevue is nice. Many trails nearby
Seattle is a sinking city.
Bellevue is so much better, fits the criteria you listed, and is close to your office. Why would you even consider Seattle?
My preference is Bellevue based on what little research I've done online, but wanted to check with some locals in case I'm missing anything.
For reference, my demographic profile is similar to yours. I lived in Bellevue downtown, then decided to move to Seattle downtown to be in the center of action, then covid and protests happened. I miss Bellevue and I’m planning to move back. Seattle has a few cool areas and attractions and more young people (outside of the covid era), but overall living in Bellevue is great and Bellevue doesn’t have Seattle’s problems. Furthermore, if you can find a reasonable apartment within a walking distance to your office, I strongly suggest you go for it.
Kirkland
Will check out Kirkland. Any apartment complexes you'd recommend?
There’s a few new apartments being built in Kirkland downtown (above and near Shake Shack burgers).
Seattle is popular with young single people, but the trails/lakes are more of an eastside thing.
Redmond
Bellevue. Seattle is hella sus rn with all the woke ppl walking around
Bellevue FTW. You’ll love it. It’s a bit dryer (culture & entertainment wise) than Seattle. But Seattle isn’t the same as it used to be. A lot has been lost from that city. You’ll love the trails out there.
Thanks. I'm not one for clubbing/bars etc even pre-COVID, so unlike a lot of young single folks, lively entertainment is not a factor for me. I think I'll go ahead with Bellevue.
Redmond, kirkland, lake forest park. It really depends if you are okay with travel. But Bellevue would still be the best option. The rest of them are all within 30 mins drive
Cheap as possible outside city to save for owning a place. Restaurants are literally everywhere, not just in cities
Any apartment complexes you'd recommend?
Try Avalon in Newcastle! Really cool