Bryn Mawr-Skyway, Washington, rests within what is referred to as a geographical doughnut hole -- an area surrounded by bigger cities like Renton, Seattle and Tukwila. If you like doughnuts, that's pretty cool to know.
Essentially a part of greater Seattle, Bryn Mawr-Skyway not only boasts a long name with hyphens, it also possesses a lot of charm and character. Near Lake Washington, the city isn't short on beauty. Nearly 15,645 call this small town of 3.3 square miles home, and while it tends to get lost in the middle of the doughnut, it has enough flavor to make folks stop and take note.
Moving to Bryn Mawr-Skyway
The community within this area is commonly called West Hill. You can call it whatever you please, like Skyway or simply Bryn Mawr. BMS hasn't really caught on yet. Anyway, before you settle down and watch Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan fall in love in Sleepless in Seattle, you have to find a place. Fortunately, there are ample places to live in Bryn Mawr-Skyway.
Good Information for Renters
In terms of percentage per number of housing units, Bryn Mawr-Skyway usually has more available rental properties than Seattle. Additionally, nearly 42% of homes are occupied by renters, which is higher than Washington's average. What's even better is the array of housing choices you have here, from two bedroom apartments at Aspen Ridge Apartments to mobile homes at Skyway Mobile Home Park. One-unit, detached houses account for almost 63% of homes, while apartments and condos make up roughly 29% of pads here. More choices mean you can surely locate exactly what you need. That's great news. That next sip of coffee should taste even better.
Tips for Renters
There are usually plenty of available home rentals throughout the year in Bryn Mawr-Skyway, with the exception of winter; during those months, the market slows a little. The best time to look is from early spring through the summer, as that's when folks choose to arrive or leave if they must. Take at least two to three weeks to handle everything from finding a pad to signing the contract. When you tour places, make certain everything is running like it should, especially with houses that were built a long time ago (over 42% were constructed before 1960). Discovering that the electric socket your TV is plugged into is melting while you watch 10 Things I Hate About You could be traumatic; having any Heath Ledger movie interrupted is just a shame.
Signing the Contract
Bryn Mawr-Skyway is pretty similar to Seattle, regardless of whether you are dealing with a landlord or management staff. You can bank on having to fork over one month's rent and a deposit. You should assume that you have to provide a credit score and proof you can afford rent. Then you can sign the deal, kick back and tune out to Nirvana. Grunge music is the only true way to close out a leasing agreement here.
Bryn Mawr-Skyway Neighborhoods
Bryn Mawr-Skyway may not occupy a lot of space, but there are several distinct neighborhoods here. Finding the part of the doughnut hole where you belong is crucial to living it up in the town also known as West Hill.
Skyway: Fly high in this neighborhood at places like Skyway Park and Skyway Park Shopping Center. Roman Casino is also here; test your luck!
Bryn Mawr: This area is mostly residential. It's near Cedar River and Lake Washington.
Lakeridge: This area is highlighted by Lakeridge Swim Club, Lakeridge Park and Pizzeria Pulcinella.
Campbell Hill: Transportation wise, this is the most convenient neighborhood, as proximity to Interstate-5 and bus stops on Beacon Avenue make getting around quite easy.
Earlington: Close to Renton, this neighborhood is mainly housing but does feature Earlington Park.
Living in Bryn Mawr-Skyway
Very much within Seattle and Renton's range, Bryn Mawr-Skyway is often overlooked, but the town sits within a nice spot for taking on the greater area. Numerous bus lines and easy access to major highways and routes make getting around rather simple, except for at times when traffic gets bad or it's raining (hint: it rains quite a lot, so you might want to get some waterproof shoes and coats). Bryn Mawr-Skyway, like much of Seattle, offers an array of fun things to do, from playing the slot machines at Roman Casino to exercising at Skyway Park. You can even walk down Renton Avenue and chant Pearl Jam tunes if you like. It's that type of freedom that makes this town so great. You can live it up in the Emerald City or you can explore Tiger Mountain State Forest. You also can just chill and munch on doughnuts in Bryn Mawr-Skyway.