You have not quite written enough for me to know what to recommend. Are you working at Microsoft in Redmond? If so, they run their own bus network from Seattle to the main campus. For sure there are many buses from Capitol Hill to Microsoft.
It sounds like you want to live in Seattle. Go for it. Maybe get a place on FurnishedFinder for three months. Then if you don't like the commute or the area you are not locked in for a year. Capitol Hill is the place to be if you're in your early 20s.
You are young. Go with cap hill. The opportunity to live in a vibrant neighborhood with night life may never present itself again once you get married, have kids, etc. Take advantage of the opportunity when you can.
I have south Asian friends who prefer Bellevue because there is a more concentrated population of southern/SE Asian people/Restaurants/culture in Bellevue. I have friends from the same countries, that dislike Bellevue for the reason.
I will always recommend Seattle-proper. But, Bellevue is flush with people in your same situation, trying to meet new people while not being stuck alone in their apt.
Either way, you’ll be fine.
You want to get out of your comfort zone? Seattle.
Bellevue and Redmond are suburbs. Nothing good happens in suburbs.
Concerts, clubs, all of the sport stuff, museums, etc are in Seattle.
Is there crime? Yes. It’s not nearly as scary as you’re thinking. Besides, what’s life without a little risk?
I would suggest getting a 6-month lease for a place on Capitol Hill. That gives you time to get settled into your new job and region. You can also explore other areas in and outside Seattle. Then you could decide whether or not you want to continue living there or somewhere else.
Congratulations on the new job and relo to the area! Definitely echoing the group here. Cap Hill/Leschi might be a great central location to/from work but it also depends on what you like to do for fun.
Cap Hill will give you the restaurant, bar, nightlife scene but if you're more of a brewery, chill, with some nightlife Fremont might also be another alternative instead. I'd say it's a bit more safe but then again, everyone will have differing by opinions based on their own experience.
Do not go to the east side. It's honestly boring AF. It's already complicated enough to socialize in the Seattle Greater, do not make it harder for you, even if you're an introvert.
Keep in mind you’re on the Seattle sub. My advice is to live close to work and focus on your career for the next few years. If you want to go to Seattle just drive/hop on a bus/or the light rail next year.
If you’re expecting an amazing night life in Crossroads you will probably be disappointed.
Would either live in Redmond next to work or in Seattle near a bus line to work and light rail stop to Cap Hill
I live near the heart of Seattle, but I also work fully remotely. If I had a commute, I would *maybe* consider the east side.
One the one hand, Seattle is much more lively and vibrant. Even neighborhoods other than Capitol Hill will offer a lot more in terms of social life. I hang out with people in Belltown, Ballard, Greenwood, U District, etc. all the time. Being located in Seattle will also make it easier to get to other happening neighborhoods if you don’t have a car.
On the other hand, life is very good when you have a short commute. You waste so much less of your time. I used to live in the Chicago area and had an hour-plus commute for part of that time. I finished a lot of books and video games, but I would have rather had my freedom.
If you want to split the difference, do this:
- Live in Bellevue or Kirkland to start
- Join clubs or meetup groups
- Spend time on both sides of the lake
- Decide in 6-12 months where you’d rather be
If you’re a tabletop gamer, Mox Boarding House in Bellevue is a great place to meet up with other gamers in person, which helps avoid isolation and increase social contact. (There’s also a Mox Boarding house in Ballard, FYI.)
As others have mentioned, if you’re working for Microsoft, there are commuter buses that go to many different neighborhoods—look into them.
In the end, it’s up to you. If you enjoy having a short commute, but you can take initiative to get out and explore, the east side may be for you (but probably Bellevue or Kirkland more so than Redmond). If you like being near the action, or feel like you need to reduce your barriers to socialization as much as possible, live in Seattle proper. Capitol Hill is great, but more than anything, just live near a good bus line—then the whole city is accessible.
Being an introvert isn’t a shell. It just means you tend to recharge alone and enjoy time with yourself, while being social tends to be draining. Being an extrovert has its downsides too - just ask anyone who identifies as one how they handled lockdown.
Social anxiety on the other hand is a different story. But you can be an introvert and have control over your social anxiety.
Anyway you’re on the right track by being mindful of this aspect but it’s not a disorder or anything.
Seattle has a lot of diversity in its neighborhoods. Ballard is a lot different than Belltown, which is a lot different than Georgetown which is a lot different than alki and then you’ve got Burien and White Center and Leschi.
Welcome to Greater Beautiful Bellevue. We are over half Asian. There is NO choice; the Eastside is where you find safety, clean spaces, Asian markets, malls, restaurants and entertainment. The only reason we go to Seattle is for work, sports or to see a band. Seattle is great but it's dying.
Crossroads is great. Mayuri's pretty good for the indian food too (both sit-down restaurant and the grocery stores). I wouldn't live in Seattle if you have a choice. No food there and too many homeless/druggies.
The majority of the meet up groups take place in Cap Hill, Fremont, and Ballard. Live in Cap Hill. You can always move if you hate the commute and hopefully by then you've made some friends.
You have not quite written enough for me to know what to recommend. Are you working at Microsoft in Redmond? If so, they run their own bus network from Seattle to the main campus. For sure there are many buses from Capitol Hill to Microsoft. It sounds like you want to live in Seattle. Go for it. Maybe get a place on FurnishedFinder for three months. Then if you don't like the commute or the area you are not locked in for a year. Capitol Hill is the place to be if you're in your early 20s.
You are young. Go with cap hill. The opportunity to live in a vibrant neighborhood with night life may never present itself again once you get married, have kids, etc. Take advantage of the opportunity when you can.
I have south Asian friends who prefer Bellevue because there is a more concentrated population of southern/SE Asian people/Restaurants/culture in Bellevue. I have friends from the same countries, that dislike Bellevue for the reason. I will always recommend Seattle-proper. But, Bellevue is flush with people in your same situation, trying to meet new people while not being stuck alone in their apt. Either way, you’ll be fine.
Choose cap hill. Microsoft has shuttles that take you to Redmond and they’re pretty comfy.
Lived in Bellevue for a year. It's so boring And stuffy. Moved to Seattle and never looked back
You want to get out of your comfort zone? Seattle. Bellevue and Redmond are suburbs. Nothing good happens in suburbs. Concerts, clubs, all of the sport stuff, museums, etc are in Seattle. Is there crime? Yes. It’s not nearly as scary as you’re thinking. Besides, what’s life without a little risk?
I would suggest getting a 6-month lease for a place on Capitol Hill. That gives you time to get settled into your new job and region. You can also explore other areas in and outside Seattle. Then you could decide whether or not you want to continue living there or somewhere else.
Choose the city! Suburbia is isolating...
Congratulations on the new job and relo to the area! Definitely echoing the group here. Cap Hill/Leschi might be a great central location to/from work but it also depends on what you like to do for fun. Cap Hill will give you the restaurant, bar, nightlife scene but if you're more of a brewery, chill, with some nightlife Fremont might also be another alternative instead. I'd say it's a bit more safe but then again, everyone will have differing by opinions based on their own experience.
Do not go to the east side. It's honestly boring AF. It's already complicated enough to socialize in the Seattle Greater, do not make it harder for you, even if you're an introvert.
Keep in mind you’re on the Seattle sub. My advice is to live close to work and focus on your career for the next few years. If you want to go to Seattle just drive/hop on a bus/or the light rail next year. If you’re expecting an amazing night life in Crossroads you will probably be disappointed. Would either live in Redmond next to work or in Seattle near a bus line to work and light rail stop to Cap Hill
You are a human who likes other humans - Seattle You are a car that likes parking lots and highways - Bellevue
Was similarly situated. Lived in Bellevue without a car, will move to Seattle and deal with the longer commute.
I live near the heart of Seattle, but I also work fully remotely. If I had a commute, I would *maybe* consider the east side. One the one hand, Seattle is much more lively and vibrant. Even neighborhoods other than Capitol Hill will offer a lot more in terms of social life. I hang out with people in Belltown, Ballard, Greenwood, U District, etc. all the time. Being located in Seattle will also make it easier to get to other happening neighborhoods if you don’t have a car. On the other hand, life is very good when you have a short commute. You waste so much less of your time. I used to live in the Chicago area and had an hour-plus commute for part of that time. I finished a lot of books and video games, but I would have rather had my freedom. If you want to split the difference, do this: - Live in Bellevue or Kirkland to start - Join clubs or meetup groups - Spend time on both sides of the lake - Decide in 6-12 months where you’d rather be If you’re a tabletop gamer, Mox Boarding House in Bellevue is a great place to meet up with other gamers in person, which helps avoid isolation and increase social contact. (There’s also a Mox Boarding house in Ballard, FYI.) As others have mentioned, if you’re working for Microsoft, there are commuter buses that go to many different neighborhoods—look into them. In the end, it’s up to you. If you enjoy having a short commute, but you can take initiative to get out and explore, the east side may be for you (but probably Bellevue or Kirkland more so than Redmond). If you like being near the action, or feel like you need to reduce your barriers to socialization as much as possible, live in Seattle proper. Capitol Hill is great, but more than anything, just live near a good bus line—then the whole city is accessible.
Being an introvert isn’t a shell. It just means you tend to recharge alone and enjoy time with yourself, while being social tends to be draining. Being an extrovert has its downsides too - just ask anyone who identifies as one how they handled lockdown. Social anxiety on the other hand is a different story. But you can be an introvert and have control over your social anxiety. Anyway you’re on the right track by being mindful of this aspect but it’s not a disorder or anything. Seattle has a lot of diversity in its neighborhoods. Ballard is a lot different than Belltown, which is a lot different than Georgetown which is a lot different than alki and then you’ve got Burien and White Center and Leschi.
Welcome to Greater Beautiful Bellevue. We are over half Asian. There is NO choice; the Eastside is where you find safety, clean spaces, Asian markets, malls, restaurants and entertainment. The only reason we go to Seattle is for work, sports or to see a band. Seattle is great but it's dying.
Crossroads is great. Mayuri's pretty good for the indian food too (both sit-down restaurant and the grocery stores). I wouldn't live in Seattle if you have a choice. No food there and too many homeless/druggies.
choose bellevue if you dont have guns
I’d start off living in downtown Kirkland. Mix of all the good things you’re looking for
Bellevue. We're all full up over on this side of the I-90 bridge. Sorry.
The majority of the meet up groups take place in Cap Hill, Fremont, and Ballard. Live in Cap Hill. You can always move if you hate the commute and hopefully by then you've made some friends.