Covington, WA

117 Apartments for Rent

"It always rains on tents. Rainstorms will travel thousands of miles, against prevailing winds for the opportunity to rain on a tent." Ñ _Dave Barry, _American humorist

Rain is a regular occurrence in the state of Washington, so don't rent a tent here. Weather is one of the reasons Washington grows more apples than any other state in the country. The familiar number of residents of Covington live just 25 miles southeast of Seattle but a world away from the hustle and bustle of the bigger city. A bit warmer by a few degrees than Seattle, it lies inland in a lovely pastoral setting. Whether you find an apartment on the west side of town, or discover a house to rent near one of the many parks in Covington, go walking along the tree-lined paths. Shop till you drop in Seattle, but enjoy charming small shops and restaurants in Covington.

Moving to Covington

Low rates for rental homes in Covington are rare. Quality of living here is high -- 76 percent on the Liveability score -- which makes up for having to pay a little more.

When Should I Start Looking?

If you snooze you lose, so start looking about six to eight weeks out from your proposed move-in date for places to rent. You could find something sooner, but if you don't, you'll spend a lot of days watching the trees grow.

What Will I Need to Move There?

You'll need the "usual" to secure an apartment for rent in Covington. Your credit score, letter verifying employment and salary, a referral letter from your last landlord, and a copy of your last paycheck stub are what most landlords are looking for, and a rental to salary ratio of 30 percent of your take-home pay.

Where Should I Look?

The northwest side of town has the most draw for renters. Highway 18, a great channel to get in and out of town, is right there for a quick escape if you need. From classic mom-and-pop 10-unit complexes to Melrose Place-style luxurious gated communities, Covington has lots to offer the pickiest apartment hunters. You may even score a rare duplex rental on the east side of town. Don't count on condo rentals -- they haven't really caught on here yet.

Life in the City

Hiking, biking and walking paths are a big deal in Covington Community Park's 30 acres of natural wide open spaces. Meander through meadows, pine forests and wetlands. And then there's year-round swimming at the Aquatic Center. Yes, the pool is heated! No polar bears here. After a dip, try Thai, Mongolian BBQ, or sushi dining in town, then take in the regional action in nearby Auburn. Thoroughbred horse racing, casinos and more culturally acclimated museums and art galleries hang out here.

You gotta have a car here. Places you'll want to go are spread out in Covington. You have to drive to where you want to walk, which is great, but you have to get there first. If you find housing for rent in the central area, you can wander the shady sidewalks. There is bus transportation, but it's limited and only 14.2 percent of commuters take the bus. The average driving commute time is 37 minutes, which is higher than the state average, but you can enjoy beautiful scenic views along the way. The closest airport is Sea-Tac International, about 20 miles distant.