I'd like to hear from anyone living or working in the Seattle/Redmond area. My son is planning to go to school there, and students need to find off-campus housing. I'd like to get an idea of costs.

Vikki,

I lived in the Seattle area for 3 years back in the late 90's and it was expensive then. Redmond is definitely a high rent area. The Redmond/Kirkland/Bellevue are is kind like the Plymouth/Canton/Novi area here.

What school is he thinking about?

Digipen. He's been a member of a game design team for several years now, he very much enjoys the hard work and long hours. He says getting paid to do it would be great!

Ah yes, hence the Redmond reference which is the home of Nintendo, plus as everyone knows Microsoft is also out there.

1stgenbirdman lives in Federal Way, which I don't believe is to far from Seattle.

I have to give him a lot of credit, for a soon to be 17 year old in his junior year of high school he already has nearly as many college credits as I do and a strong portfolio of his animation work, which was all self-taught. He's very driven to get what he wants out of life. I'm very proud of him.

He'll qualify for scholarships, but admissions is very tough there. Of 20,000 plus applicants each year, they immediately reduce to about 500, and accept about 250. Of those, around 40 make it through the program. He's not deterred.

Federal Way is about 20 min`s south of Seattle...but there is a couple of members living in Kirkland (Joe Williams) and Bellevue (Corrigan) which is closer to Redmond, not far at all.... Redmond itself is not the cheaper area...forget his name now , but theres a member on PY that lives in Redmond...

EA (Electronic Arts) have a big campus/games facility up here in Vancouver area, I did their initial building 9 years ago and just finished up an 80M phase II and the Motion capture Studio (Mocap) last year for them. If he wants to thro a res up this way as well I do know a few of the players up here in that facility.

It's a tough business, produce or your outta there, but they work hard and play hard, part of the complex up here included a synthetic soccer pitch, a sand volleyball court, just to name a few of the perks. They were out there every day when we commissioned them early.

Maybe we'll get to come down and see you when your visiting him out this way!

Lots of traffic and sky high rents. My brother lived in seattle for a number of years and I commuted through it for over four years. Not cheap but many people figure out how to do it.
You could probably check the Seattle-PI or the Seattle Times classifieds for the going rent rates in the area.

NW apartments: Seattle

Thanks to all. I've forwarded him the info. He has a few months yet before he needs to make a commitment as he still has a year of high school ahead of him, but we'd like to take him to visit a couple of places so he has a better idea of what he's getting into. This summer is the only opportunity for that.

Hi Vikki, sorry, I've been so busy as of late that I haven't even been on the boards in about a week.

I've lived here for about 20 years now and have worked in Redmond or the East Side for about half of that time. I've worked and gone to school in Seattle the other half...

Your more than welcome to email me directly with any specific questions you may have. I can give you a very good idea of areas that are close enough, but may be more affordable or areas that will allow easy transportation to and from etc. The U-District is directly across the 520 bridge (towards Seattle from Redmond) and obviously caters to the student budget housing wise.

There are lots of areas on the east side not too far out that may work... but anything over there is going to be a higher cost of living.

I have lots of friends in the Game fields, Wizards of the Coast, Gassworks Games, Nintendo, Microsoft etc... there are 100's of game companies in this area.

I'd be more than happy to show you guys some of the areas and or make a list of areas to check out, things to see, and such with this all in mind.

Just let me know! Always glad to help if and when I can!

Brett!

and re that bridge over not so troubled waters (520), acc to Mike (when I visited last) they are getting ready to widen ,re-build it...already buying up properties along the road on the east side...

and Vikki, I just remembered the guys name in Redmond... Rick Rosen ,he`s on PY , lives in Redmond!