Calling All Seattle Area Fodorites
Oct 27th, 2004, 11:43 AM
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Calling All Seattle Area Fodorites
I know this isn't a relocation board, but you all have such a wealth of information about the Seattle area and I need some help.
I'm a member of a Seattle message board that's not very active. There's a guy who posted who's moving from NJ to work at Kent Boeing and he's asking about areas to rent an apartment in. He wants an area where it's an easy commute to his job, where he can walk to shopping, and where he and his wife can walk their dogs safely at night. I haven't lived in Kent since 1991 or in South King County in almost 3 years, so my information is outdated. Any suggestions?
And to make this post travel related, I've never been over to the Olympic Peninsula and I'd like to make a trip to the Lake Crescent area in the near future. What's the best time of year to go?
I'm a member of a Seattle message board that's not very active. There's a guy who posted who's moving from NJ to work at Kent Boeing and he's asking about areas to rent an apartment in. He wants an area where it's an easy commute to his job, where he can walk to shopping, and where he and his wife can walk their dogs safely at night. I haven't lived in Kent since 1991 or in South King County in almost 3 years, so my information is outdated. Any suggestions?
And to make this post travel related, I've never been over to the Olympic Peninsula and I'd like to make a trip to the Lake Crescent area in the near future. What's the best time of year to go?
Oct 27th, 2004, 11:57 AM
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The best time to vist Lake Crescent is when the lodge is open. See www.lakecrescentlodge.com
Oct 28th, 2004, 02:33 PM
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Have your NJ friend check out http://www.ci.kent.wa.us/
Oct 28th, 2004, 09:25 PM
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I'm not really familiar with Kent, but have a friend that lives there and likes it very much. From what I know, it's safe and there are parks nearby where they can walk their dogs, plus the best dogpark in the world--Marymoor in Redmond--off lease with acres of land, some with water--is not too far from there.
This is a great place to live!
This is a great place to live!
Oct 29th, 2004, 07:32 AM
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Ouch!
If it were me, I'd live just a bit further south, in Auburn. It depends on what sort of environment this guy wants. Much of Kent is New Jersey-ish (I should know, being born in Newark and growing up in Paramus), so he might feel right at home there. I would prefer a more rural setting, and would look east of Auburn. Another option would be to look near Route 18, east of Kent.
If it were me, I'd live just a bit further south, in Auburn. It depends on what sort of environment this guy wants. Much of Kent is New Jersey-ish (I should know, being born in Newark and growing up in Paramus), so he might feel right at home there. I would prefer a more rural setting, and would look east of Auburn. Another option would be to look near Route 18, east of Kent.
Oct 29th, 2004, 10:42 AM
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Thanks, Gardyloo. My co-workers now think I'm nuts because I'm laughing for no apparent reason.
He was considering the Eastside and while I live in that area and could recommend several places to meet his criteria, he would be facing the commute from hell, so we nixed that idea. There's an "express" bus from Redmond to Kent Boeing, but it takes an hour and that's if it's on schedule.
I lived in Kent from 1991-1992. Since then, I have only been back for periodic visits and I am always glad to leave. I'm having a hard time recommending anything in Kent because there's really nothing to recommend it. I can't even recommend most parts of Renton anymore with good conscience.
He seems to be harping on safety in his posts. He says that he doesn't mind having to travel into Seattle for cultural events if he can find a safe neighborhood that's an easy commute to his job. I'll try to steer him toward Auburn. What about Puyallup?
He was considering the Eastside and while I live in that area and could recommend several places to meet his criteria, he would be facing the commute from hell, so we nixed that idea. There's an "express" bus from Redmond to Kent Boeing, but it takes an hour and that's if it's on schedule.
I lived in Kent from 1991-1992. Since then, I have only been back for periodic visits and I am always glad to leave. I'm having a hard time recommending anything in Kent because there's really nothing to recommend it. I can't even recommend most parts of Renton anymore with good conscience.
He seems to be harping on safety in his posts. He says that he doesn't mind having to travel into Seattle for cultural events if he can find a safe neighborhood that's an easy commute to his job. I'll try to steer him toward Auburn. What about Puyallup?
Nov 5th, 2004, 08:23 AM
#9
I have lived in Seattle for 20 years & spent the last 2 days in Kent since it is where the county courthouse is to serve jury duty. I remembered this post...
Let's just say personally I would never live in Kent. It has to be one of the dreariest places I've seen in the entire area. I would definitely commute in from somewhere more appealing!
Whether the Eastside like Issaquah or Redmond. Or south to Auburn or even Tacoma. If it were me, I'd live in Seattle and take the commute (it's only 20 miles down I-5) for a substantially richer "quality of life" at home.
Let's just say personally I would never live in Kent. It has to be one of the dreariest places I've seen in the entire area. I would definitely commute in from somewhere more appealing!
Whether the Eastside like Issaquah or Redmond. Or south to Auburn or even Tacoma. If it were me, I'd live in Seattle and take the commute (it's only 20 miles down I-5) for a substantially richer "quality of life" at home.
Nov 5th, 2004, 09:33 AM
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I agree with you, suze. The problem is that I'm trying to be diplomatic over there. I believe that the board guide and a couple of members live in Kent and since I don't like to hurt people's feelings, I haven't been able to outright say what I think about it. People can be sensitive about where they live and I don't want to get into "city wars". Instead, I've been trying to steer him toward other areas without being harsh. He seems to have his heart set on Kent though and now he's narrowed his search to the area within 10-15 minutes of Boeing. I guess he can always move if the doesn't like it there.
Nov 5th, 2004, 12:34 PM
#11
Kostroma, I think you've gone out of your way to be helpful & done all you can do! If a person *really* wants to live in Kent, with the tons of better options available... who are we to stop them? -LOL!
Nov 5th, 2004, 01:23 PM
#12
So I suppose I can be serious for a minute or two, painful though it may be...
The issue with Kent Boeing is that it's in something of a no-man's land, which is logical for an industrial site measuring in the hundreds of acres. It is in Kent, but quite a distance from most of the residential parts of the city. There are very few (if any) residential areas that are walkable, and being on a valley floor crisscrossed by arterials and freeways, there isn't much chance of residential ambience within a 15 or 20 min. commute (much of which will be spent looking for a parking place at the plant.) OTOH, this is recognized by the transit authorities and local governments, so one thing the Kent industrial area does have going for it is excellent public transportation. Thus while one's commute time isn't reduced (since the buses use the same roads as all the cars) the hassle factor can be reduced because you're not driving.
There are vanpools, underwritten by Metro and/or Sound Transit from literally every corner of Puget Sound to the Kent Boeing facility, and the whole system is geared to allowing people to live in the neighborhoods of their choice rather than have their housing choice totally dominated by worktime commutes.
Housing location choice is intensly personal and I would not deign to say where your friend ought to look, Kostroma. If it were me and my family, though, I'd definitely look west - out to Des Moines, for instance, or south - downtown Puyallup maybe, but I would not rule out Bellevue or central Seattle, or even Issaquah. In a vanpool (which uses the commuter lanes) it'd be easy to set up a 30 min commute or less with minimal driving. Auburn is another possibility, I suppose, but finding a place where you can walk to shopping is more dicey.
If they're going to be renters, I would look for a six month lease and spend the winter practicing commutes from neighborhoods they find appealing. I honestly don't think this region is as bad on the commuting front as people make it out, and remember they're coming from NJ, where commutes into Philly or NYC are often humongous by western standards.
The issue with Kent Boeing is that it's in something of a no-man's land, which is logical for an industrial site measuring in the hundreds of acres. It is in Kent, but quite a distance from most of the residential parts of the city. There are very few (if any) residential areas that are walkable, and being on a valley floor crisscrossed by arterials and freeways, there isn't much chance of residential ambience within a 15 or 20 min. commute (much of which will be spent looking for a parking place at the plant.) OTOH, this is recognized by the transit authorities and local governments, so one thing the Kent industrial area does have going for it is excellent public transportation. Thus while one's commute time isn't reduced (since the buses use the same roads as all the cars) the hassle factor can be reduced because you're not driving.
There are vanpools, underwritten by Metro and/or Sound Transit from literally every corner of Puget Sound to the Kent Boeing facility, and the whole system is geared to allowing people to live in the neighborhoods of their choice rather than have their housing choice totally dominated by worktime commutes.
Housing location choice is intensly personal and I would not deign to say where your friend ought to look, Kostroma. If it were me and my family, though, I'd definitely look west - out to Des Moines, for instance, or south - downtown Puyallup maybe, but I would not rule out Bellevue or central Seattle, or even Issaquah. In a vanpool (which uses the commuter lanes) it'd be easy to set up a 30 min commute or less with minimal driving. Auburn is another possibility, I suppose, but finding a place where you can walk to shopping is more dicey.
If they're going to be renters, I would look for a six month lease and spend the winter practicing commutes from neighborhoods they find appealing. I honestly don't think this region is as bad on the commuting front as people make it out, and remember they're coming from NJ, where commutes into Philly or NYC are often humongous by western standards.
Nov 22nd, 2004, 01:06 PM
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I know this reply is way late, but I've been dealing with health issues the past couple of weeks and haven't been feeling well enough to post much.
I just want to thank you guys for all of your help. I'm going to cut and paste some of this thread and post it to the guy who's relocating.
I just want to thank you guys for all of your help. I'm going to cut and paste some of this thread and post it to the guy who's relocating.
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