Moving to South Everett in 2026: What the Sage Silver Lake Studio Apartments Mean for New Residents and Renters

Q: What is Silver Lake like as a neighborhood in Everett?

A south Everett working neighborhood along Highway 99 with strong access to Paine Field and downtown Everett, Community Transit bus service, and moderate-density residential character.

If you are moving to Everett or looking for a first apartment: 124 new studio apartments are opening in Silver Lake in August 2026 — market-rate, no income restrictions, no waitlist. The former Econo Lodge at 9602 19th Street SE is being converted by Sage Investment Group into the kind of workforce studio housing that has been in short supply across south Everett. Here is what you need to know before you apply.

What Is Opening and When

Sage Investment Group purchased the Econo Lodge near Silver Lake in 2025 for $9.5 million and is investing $7 million to convert all 124 motel rooms into fully equipped studio apartments with complete bathrooms and kitchens. Phase 1 leasing opens August 2026. The address is 9602 19th Street SE, Everett, WA 98204 — in the Silver Lake area of south Everett, along the Highway 99 corridor.

These are market-rate units. No income verification, no application waitlist, no public subsidy program to navigate. Sage’s target market is the “Missing Middle” — people who need decent housing near jobs and transit, earn a moderate income, and don’t qualify for income-restricted housing but also can’t afford new luxury apartment stock. If that describes you, this project was built for your situation.

Silver Lake as a Place to Live: What You’re Getting Into

Silver Lake is south Everett’s working-neighborhood corridor. It sits along Highway 99 between downtown Everett to the north and the Everett Mall / Casino Road zone to the south. The neighborhood is defined by its access to employment rather than by a walkable amenity cluster — there is no downtown square, no concentrated restaurant row, no arts district. What Silver Lake has is proximity: 15–20 minutes to Paine Field, 10–15 minutes to downtown Everett, reasonable bus access on Community Transit’s south Everett routes.

For new residents comparing Everett to Seattle: Silver Lake offers significantly lower housing costs on a per-square-foot basis, shorter commutes to south Snohomish County employment, and none of the density pressure that characterizes Seattle neighborhoods near light rail. It is a practical choice, not a lifestyle choice — which is exactly what a lot of people moving to Everett for a job at Boeing, Providence Regional Medical Center, or an Everett-area logistics employer are looking for.

The Everett Housing Market Context for 2026

Snohomish County saw a 51.8% year-over-year surge in active home listings in March 2026 — but that inventory is concentrated in for-sale product above $600,000. The March 2026 median home price held at $738,000, with homes still selling at 99.9% of asking in an average of 35 days. For renters, the supply expansion at the ownership level has not translated into dramatically lower rents on the apartment side.

The Sage Silver Lake project adds 124 rental units to Everett’s inventory without displacing existing residents — the land was previously a motel with zero long-term residential occupancy. That net-new-unit character matters in a market where most new apartment supply has come from luxury developments with $1,800–$2,400 one-bedroom asking rents. Studio units in a motel conversion should price meaningfully below that range.

How to Track This Opening

Sage has not announced a pre-leasing timeline as of May 2026. Based on standard practice for projects of this type, expect listings to appear on Apartments.com, Zillow, and similar platforms 60–90 days ahead of the August 2026 Phase 1 opening — meaning June or July. Check Sage Investment Group’s portfolio page (sageinvestment.com/portfolio) directly for any pre-leasing announcements.

For people actively apartment hunting in south Everett right now: the Cascade View and Silver Lake neighborhoods have seen new neighborhood guide coverage on this site that maps the full residential and amenity picture. The motel conversion at 19th Street SE is the first major new rental addition to Silver Lake in several years — and it arrives just as the south Everett housing corridor is seeing increased attention from investors tracking the Community Transit expansion and the Everett Link Extension light rail planning.

Frequently Asked Questions for People Moving to Everett

How do I apply for the Sage Silver Lake apartments in Everett?

Pre-leasing has not opened as of May 2026. Phase 1 leasing opens August 2026. Watch sageinvestment.com/portfolio, Apartments.com, and Zillow for listings. Expect availability to appear 60–90 days before the August opening.

Do I need to meet income requirements for the Silver Lake studios?

No. These are market-rate units with no income restrictions and no subsidized housing program requirements. Standard rental application criteria (income verification, credit, rental history) will apply, but there are no maximum income limits or program eligibility requirements.

What is Silver Lake like as a neighborhood in Everett?

Silver Lake is a south Everett working neighborhood along the Highway 99 corridor. It has strong access to south Snohomish County employment (Paine Field 15–20 min, downtown Everett 10–15 min), Community Transit bus service, and the practical infrastructure of a mid-density residential area. It is a commuter-practical neighborhood rather than an amenity-rich one.

How does Everett compare to Seattle for renting?

Everett typically offers lower per-square-foot rents than Seattle, with shorter commutes to Snohomish County employment and less density pressure. The March 2026 median home price in Snohomish County was $738,000 — lower than King County. New luxury apartments in downtown Everett have listed at $1,800–$2,400 for one-bedrooms; workforce studio conversions like the Sage project should price below that range.

What transit is available near 9602 19th Street SE?

The Silver Lake area is served by Community Transit bus routes along Highway 99 and Casino Road. The planned Everett Transit consolidation into Community Transit will expand route coverage. Sound Transit’s Everett Link Extension, pending the June 30, 2026 board vote, includes stations that will eventually connect south Everett to the regional light rail spine.