Seattle or Bellevue?

Question

I'm getting a job in downtown Bellevue. So, where should I get an apartment??? Seattle seems more my scene; Bellevue seems sterile and uptight. But that commute? Wow. Ideally, I want a funky neighborhood close to work: cafes, parks, local restaurants. THoughts?

Answer 1

Your impressions of Bellevue are right on. It is a sterile suburb full of suburbanites, utterly lacking in interesting places and activities (and interesting people?). The commute could be a pain, but there is bus service. Funky neighborhoods mean someplace in Seattle--Capitol Hill, parts of the University District, Wallingford, or even Ballard.

Answer 2

you want a funky neighborhood that's close to work, cafes, parks, local restaurants , you should try Chinatown. It has everything and its 30 mins bus ride to downtown bellueve with route 550

Answer 3

NOT WORTH IT!  I lived in the Green Lake area (with easy access to 520) and was driving to Bellevue everyday... the mornings weren't too bad, but in the afternoon, I was sitting in traffic a minimum of 45 minutes-1.5 hours.  Yikes... Never again!!  I wouldn't even recommend it to my worst enemy.

Answer 4

If your looking for a more social scene with cafes adn such, then yeah Seattle would be more your style.

Answer 5

Seattle

Answer 6

To my knowledge there are no "funky neighborhoods" in Bellevue so I'd go with Seattle. Now ask yourself:  Do you want something that is actually funky or something that used to be funky and now is pleasantly gentrified with a funky costume?  If the latter is more your style check out Fremont, Wallingford, Ballard, West Seattle, Capital Hill along 15th or 19th ST E.  If you want the former look at Cap Hill Pike/Pine, Broadway and west, Georgetown, South Park, Beacon Hill, Central District, etc.  

Or, you can always be like everyone else that moves to Seattle for the first time and just live in Belltown.    Good luck!

Answer 7

You might consider Kirkland.  The downtown scene is pretty hip.  Other then that you need to go to Seattle.

Answer 8

Seattle sounds like (and is, in my book) a way better place for you to live, but that commute is going to be horrible!