Originally Posted by
mcm114
Hello all. I just got hired for the jet and had some questions about being based in SEA. I'm a military rotor transition guy, so I won't start ATP/CTP until July most likely.
I'm vaguely familiar with that area, having been stationed in Alaska off and on for 7 years and always travelling through. I know about some of the places to avoid, but I don't think I know enough about the area to pick a good place to live.
I thought I should stay within about 1.5 hours driving distance, if possible. Pretty expensive real estate you got there however.
Anyone out there using the Bremerton/Southworth ferries to reliably commute from there? I like the Gig harbor/Port Orchard area, but I might be underestimating that commute time.
Is there something else that I should be considering? Very open to suggestions at this point.
Thanks
Mike
planning on buying a house? Renting? And for how long? If that's going to be your forever house the answer is different than if you are looking for a place to be within easy reserve call of SEA.
Bremerton/PT Orchard isn't out of the question for living with a line but it's real dicey for short call reserve. You can walk on at Bremerton and get off the ferry within walking distance of the Kink light rail which will take you to SEA in maybe 35 minutes or so, but even when the ferries run once an hour, the rude itself is almost an hour, so if you just miss the last one you wait until the next one and then the hour and then the Link light rail.....
Southworth service is even less frequent and leaves you in West Seattle. I know some pilots who live on Vashon, but you basically have to stand reserve in West Seattle or Tacoma. Proctor district in Tacoma is a hidden jewel, but pricey. Avoid the hilltop area of Tacoma (drugs/gangs) and the Burien area (different gang, Ukrainian). Gig Harbor would probably doable on reserve, Enumclaw and Buckley area too. Browns Point area is nice but Seattle proper is a pretty hot housing market right now and the prices have been seriously bid up. Maybe not by NYC standards,but certainly in comparison to the rest of Horizon domiciles.
If you are going to be on reserve very long you might consider just getting an apt or rental in Kent, Auburn, Maple Valley. Renton and Federal Way used to be OK, but they've gotten a little rough recently. Or if you like the urban scene, anywhere within walking distance of the light rail. Even from its present northern terminus, it'll get you to SEA in 45 minutes. Expect to pay through the nose for a decent apartment along that route though.