decidedlyodd

Today was another big day of looking at apartments.  I managed to see 5 units in 4 buildings.  Here’s the run-down:

The first place was way over on Pike and 18th.  Inside it is VERY nice.  In addition to new carpet and appliances, it has vaulted ceilings with skylights and a nice view of Lake Washington.  It also has a loft, which is kinda cool.  It’s also the most expensive place I’ve seen and the bedrooms weren’t really very large (even compared to other places I’ve seen here).  Still, I liked it quite a bit.  Unfortunately, it’s fairly far away from the bussle of Capitol Hill–too far I think.  It’s only about 2 blocks from Trader Joe’s which is cool, but there’s not a whole lot else over there.  Technically, it’s not even in Capitol Hill according to certain websites I’ve looked at (others put it on the edge of the neighborhood), but rather the fringe of the Central Area.  Now, the Central Area is the historically bad part of central Seattle (from what I’ve managed to read) and apparently has a gang problem.  Although this place isn’t in the middle of that, it made me a bit nervous.  The neighborhood around seemed perfectly fine this afternoon.  In fact it was nicer than many of the other neighborhoods I’ve been looking in.  However, I went by there this evening and there were two dudes standing on the corner and not in a good way.  It’s also a bit too close to the cell phone/radio/tv towers for my taste (about a small block away).  I’m thinking this type of place would probably go for more like $1500 (they’re asking $1300) if it was closer to the center of things.

The second place is about a block from the first on Union and 17th.  At first nobody was there, so I waited around for about half an hour until somebody showed up.  The units are nice enough.  There are three identical two bedroom units, all of which have been recently renovated with new appliances and paint.  Two of the units were on the ground floor, which I’m too excited about (price $1100/mo).  The third is on the second floor, but more expensive ($1150/mo).  Closet space and what not is fairly limited and there seemed to be some old wiring (only one phone jack).  Also, the location is about the same as the first, which means it’s a ways out although it is within walking distance of several grocery stores.  Generally, I wasn’t too excited about this place.  I could pay about the same for the same thing closer in more or less I think.

The third place is a bit further up on Republican and 19th Ave E.  The neighborhood and building seemed pretty ok.  Unfortunately, the bedrooms are just WAY too small (seemed to be about 8×8).  It’s probably a good deal for the $1025 rent, but I’d rather pay more for something larger and closer in.

The fourth place I visited fairly late in the day.  I had already come home to end the day, but one of the people I called earlier in the day gave me a call back.  I took the bus back up to this place which is on Harvard and Olive (one block off Broadway).  I looked at two units–one with one bathroom and one with two.  I really don’t need two bathrooms, but I figured I’d look anyways.  The units were ok, but nothing had been redone (except the carpet) in either one in several years (older applicances, cabinets, etc.).  The location and price were pretty ok ($1050/mo for the 2 bed/1 bath), but again I think I’d rather pay a little more to have a slightly nicer place.  Moreover, while both units are already vacant, the 1 bath one is still being cleaned and having the carpet replaced.  It probably won’t be ready in the next few days, which means it’s effectively out of the running.
Also, I heard back from the last place I looked at yesterday that it won’t be available until February, which means it’s out of the running too.  Right now, I’m leaning towards the second place I saw yesterday.  It’s close in to where the action is, close to the bus stop, reasonable priced and has new appliances and what not.  The rooms are nothing spectacular and the bathroom could probably use a remodel, but seriously how much time does a person spend in the bathroom?

Hopefully, I’ll be able to see a couple more places tomorrow.  There’s one that got listed yesterday on craigslist that I somehow missed and two I still haven’t had my messages returned on.  There’s also another place having an open house tomorrow afternoon, although the location of that last one is not entirely ideal.  I admit I’m getting tired of looking, but at the same time I think I’ve gotten a decent feel for what’s out there for what I’m looking for.