The .Plan

The front-runners at this point:

1. 1BR/1BA, 661 sqft, small 6×8 deck, corner unit, south- and west-facing windows, W/D in unit, on-site building manager to sign for packages, quiet building in Wallingford, only shares wall with one neighbor, one block away from running trail, 5 min commute to UW, free heating with gas fireplace ($1095). CONS: garage parking extra ($60), range is electric not gas, “gets really hot in the summer” per current tenant, a few Fremont/Wallingford amenities within walking distance but not much
2. 1BR/1BA, 750 sqft, triangle-shaped deck perhaps 12′ on the diagonal, W/D in unit, same building as previous with same advantages. CONS: same as previous, windows face east only, bedroom may potentially get noise from 3 neighboring decks ($1199)

To be viewed today:

1. 2BR/1BA, 900 sqft, same-floor W/D shared by 3 units, includes parking, owner pays water/sewage/garbage, living room windows face west, in Wallingford less than 1/2 block from main thoroughfare with shops, cafes, restaurants ($1095). CONS: building exterior is not much to look at, peasy kitchen, ground floor unit.
2. 1BR/1BA, W/D in unit, deck, in Fremont ($875).
3. 1BR/1BA, 850 sqft, top floor, same-floor W/D shared by 4 units, rent includes parking and all utilities (plus cable) except electricity, in Eastlake, 5 min commute to UW, closer to Harborview ($1050). CONS: shared W/D, neighborhood not as cool as Fremont/Wallingford with some things within walking distance.

Non-negotiables: in-unit W/D, no dogs, secure parking if in Fremont or Capitol Hill, west-facing windows. Bonuses: near bus line to UW, deck, cool neighborhood. In general, it looks like I won’t be able to do much better than $900-1000.