Best area to live if working at Microsoft Redmond office

New / Product RFNS17
Jan 22, 2018 16 Comments

I will be a new implant to WA soon. Moving there to start my new job at Microsoft Redmond. Have no idea about the neighborhoods there..what is a good place to live ?? My priorities are closer to work (15 min drive or 30 min shuttle ride), markets, stores, food places around, rent around 1300$ for a single room! Any opinions!? Heard good reviews about downtown Bellevue. Looking for a 2 bhk apartment with a roommate occupying one room.

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 TOP 16 Comments
  • Microsoft warlock
    If you’re single/under 30 and want access to nightlife, avoid Redmond. All of us (plus amazon peeps) live in Seattle proper. Even Bellevue, I’ve never been to at night.

    Had a coworker make the mistake of listening to his dev friends and rented in redmond; still regretful to this day.

    Start off in cap hill, then in a year or two, graduate to ballard/belltown/queen anne. If you get locked down, THEN get of seattle. Got married peeps living in Kirkland, West Seattle, wallingford, etc etc
    Jan 23, 2018 0
  • Microsoft / Eng Chancey
    Downtown Bellevue is great but rent is closer to $2k for a 1 bed apt. Even Redmond is expensive these days.
    Jan 22, 2018 3
    • New / Product RFNS17
      OP
      How's it like for a 2bed 2 ba apartment? Looking to share the apartment with another person
      Jan 22, 2018
    • Microsoft / Eng kfbuf
      It has a downtown feel to it and plenty of shuttles from Bellevue sites though, so it's always a consideration. If the budget is a must, a roommate might get you there.
      Jan 22, 2018
    • Microsoft / Eng kfbuf
      For each around 1300 that's definitely doable. Check availability on apartmentlist.com I found it pretty good when helping to evaluate tradeoffs as far as listed amenities and creating a candidate list.
      Jan 22, 2018
  • New / Product RFNS17
    OP
    Living in Seattle is more to my taste but isn't it a looong commute to Microsoft Redmond campus
    Jan 23, 2018 3
    • Microsoft / Eng kfbuf
      There's shuttles, but they're packed. Orca card too, not sure if you get the same issue with density. A ton of people do the shuttle commute. You're young and single, Seattle proper is ideal for you. Live in the city when you're young! You won't regret it.
      Jan 23, 2018
    • Microsoft LKEB62
      Live near a shuttle stop in Seattle. Used to be packed when the shuttle service used smaller buses. No longer with the bigger buses - at least no prob getting a seat on the Belltown route.

      As others have said, your social life will suffer in Redmond or Bellevue. People with young kids naturally don’t have extra time for new friends.
      Jan 23, 2018
    • Microsoft warlock
      Yeah the big buses handle load a lot better. 3 years ago, you had to reserve to have a chance at a seat. Now I walk on everyday.

      Commute ranges from 30-55min depending on traffic. If you get on before 8:30 or after 9:20am, commute is 30 min. If you get on before 5 or after 6:30, it’s 40min.

      Say you meet someone nice at a bar. Ain’t nobody gonna go across the fcking bridge with you. The 5-10min uber ride for ppl who live in Seattle proper pays off then.
      Jan 23, 2018
  • GoDaddy SawyerX
    Redmond for sure. $1300 can possibly get a small studio
    Jan 22, 2018 1
    • Snapchat / Eng
      Khali

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      Or you can get a pretty new one bedroom around 700sq ft for 1750ish in RTC area.
      Jan 22, 2018
  • Microsoft / Eng kfbuf
    You would be able to rent a room for that much, but even a studio apartment would be a challenge. There's micro dwellings under that price, but I personally wouldn't live in one, due to some of the complaints about inhabitants and lack of management oversight. A roommate situation might work well for you.
    Jan 22, 2018 1
    • New / Product RFNS17
      OP
      Yes sorry to not mention it..but looking for a 2bd 2ba apartment with a roommate to take over one room
      Jan 22, 2018
  • Microsoft msftpotato
    Seattle
    Jan 23, 2018 0
  • Microsoft / Eng rMyU80
    Try Bellevue Downtown for the first year. More convenient and less boring than living in the woods of Redmond. After that you will figure out your preferences and move.
    Jan 27, 2018 0
  • Salesforce / Eng 🐙y.
    Bella Botega area or Education Hill.
    Jan 23, 2018 0

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