How to Rent a Cheap Apartment in Seattle

Seattle is a vibrant city that offers a wide range of attractive rental properties in the downtown area and surrounding suburbs. It's a city with a diverse population of working professionals, students, families, and retirees and offers something for everyone. The challenge of finding a cheap apartment in Seattle can make many people look elsewhere, but there are a few places to turn when you're on a budget.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Internet connection
• Money for a security deposit
• Valid driver's license
• Seattle area map

1. Choose the right neighborhood. Seattle's attractive and safe neighborhoods are scattered throughout the city and suburbs, so you need to narrow down where you want to live before finding discounts on rent. Learn about the different areas on sites such as City-Data.com

2. Check listings on Seattle Craigslist. Listings for apartments are updated daily, and you can filter by price and number of bedrooms for quick results of available properties. Some listings also include pictures for easy reference.

3. Search current and local vacancies at SeattleRentals.com. This local resource offers a complete listing of available apartments for all types of renters. You'll find listings of temporary housing, vacation rentals, and information on local moving services at your fingertips. It's also easy to search by price.

4. Run a free search on Rent.com. Here you'll find both manager-owned and independently owned properties. Rent.com also offers a bonus to renters who sign a lease after finding an apartment on the site. It's easy to filter your search by price and narrow down results by location.

5. Search by price on Apartments.com. This site offers comprehensive listings of available apartments by area, and you can easily filter by price to find low-cost apartments that meet your budget.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't forget to cash in on your bonus if you sign a lease with an apartment on Rent.com
• Be prepared to provide at least one month's security deposit before moving in
• Look for last-minute deals during the middle of the month when landlords are anxious to fill apartments quickly
• Start your apartment search at least 2-3 months before moving; the Seattle apartment market is competitive