Once the epicenter of the Seattle area's coal and timber industries, East Renton Highlands has made an enviably smooth transition into the modern age, with all the comfort that implies.
The term "commuter city" can be pretty misleading when it comes to the Seattle area
Once the epicenter of the Seattle area's coal and timber industries, East Renton Highlands has made an enviably smooth transition into the modern age, with all the comfort that implies.
The term "commuter city" can be pretty misleading when it comes to the Seattle area. Industry is so widespread that when it comes down to it, everybody is commuting to one place or another. When it comes to East Renton Highlands, however, the description is more apt than most. Nestled underneath not one but two expansive nature preserves, the 11,000 residents of this mostly residential city are very happy to leave the bustle of work for nearby communities, so long as they can return to their beautiful vistas at the end of the day.
Get the Lay of the Land
Predictably for a commuter city, the most important factor to consider when moving to the area is how far you are from the necessities of daily life. There's very little in the way of shopping or business within the city limits, so a good first step is to scope out the situation in the surrounding communities. Nearby Highway 169 provides entry into the metro area's main traffic arteries, so any work commute should be fairly reasonable, but daily shopping can be a different story. If you're the type of person who often finds yourself needing to pop out for a quick trip to the grocery store, you may want to consider adopting a more organized routine. For everything but the most basic of basics you're most likely going to have to plan your shopping excursions in adjacent towns on the way back to your apartment rental.
Look Outwards for Employment
With Boeing right next door and the entire landscape of the Seattle area's economy beyond, your search for employment isn't likely to be arduous, but it's pretty certainly going to have to take place outside of East Renton Highlands itself. This is, again, a commuter city, and it's the kind of gorgeous place where residents can come home to roost, not where they clock in. If you're looking for a gig within the city limits you're going to have a rough time, so make sure you've lined up a good job in nearby areas first.
Not a Bargain Basement
The Seattle area is not exactly known for its dirt-cheap real estate, and this city is no different. While there are always going to be a few frugally priced apartment rentals around, this is a neighborhood geared more towards townhouses for rent than tenements. The upside to this reality is that you're likely to get some very nice bang for your buck, and East Renton Highlands all bills paid apartments are a frequent sight on the market.
Paperwork Absolutely Required
You're not likely to get yourself a handshake deal in this neck of the woods, so it's absolutely essential that you've got all your paperwork in order. Credit, income, and employment histories are a necessity, and a glowing landlord testimonial wouldn't be misplaced, either.
East Renton Highlands may be a small town, but it can still be broken up into two distinct neighborhoods.
Maplewood: This neighborhood is comprised of the densest parts of the city, and also has the distinction of providing the quickest commute to nearby centers of business. Though it, like the rest of the city, is not particularly notable in terms of its retail and commerce activity, it certainly provides the quickest access to those areas in neighboring communities. Home to two of the city's three parks as well as its downtown area, it's by far the most walkable section of town. It's also the area most likely to have multi-unit vacancies available, although the majority of its rentals will be of the townhouse variety.
East Highlands: The entire eastern half of the city is very loosely plotted, and provides plenty of opportunity for sprawling backyards and expanses of Seattle's famous greenery. Several developments are in progress at the farthest reaches of the city's eastern boundary, and look guaranteed to provide even more expansive homes that offer plenty of privacy.
It should be more than clear by this point that the name of the game for the city is residential. This is where folks come to live and relax, and when it comes to those pursuits East Renton Highlands knocks it out of the park. In a bustling and busy modern world, it's easy to see the appeal of keeping a healthy distance between the serenity of your home and the buzzing activity of the rest of the world. Those looking for a comfortable, gorgeous refuge from the rest of life would do well to have a glance this way.
