Moving to Bellevue or Seattle for Amazon – Need advice on rent vs. safety vs. commute

Hey everyone,

I’ll be joining Amazon’s Grace office in early September and I’m torn between living in Bellevue, WA or Seattle, WA.

Here’s my situation:

• Bellevue: Most 1 Bed / 1 Bath apartments I’ve seen are around $2,500 base rent. It’s close to the office but really expensive.
• Seattle: I can easily find 1 Bed / 1 Bath for around $1,500. Way cheaper, but I’d have to commute across the bridge.

My priorities:

1. Be economical (I want to save as much as possible)
2. Safety (would prefer low-crime areas)
3. Walkable / close to grocery stores (Trader Joe’s, Safeway, QFC, etc.)

Given these factors — cost, safety, and commute — what would you recommend? Are there specific neighborhoods in either Bellevue or Seattle that strike a good balance?

Thanks in advance!