What should I know about Tukwila?

[Tate Doolittle]

First time home buyer looking in Tukwila. 

What I can expect down there. Anyone out there investing in Tukwila? Have found a few nice streets with newer homes or renovations. Neighbors were friendly and properties were well maintained (in certain areas). Is the crime that Tukwila gets the rep for concentrated more around the mall? I see crime rates are down YoY - is Tukwila on the rise as Seattle is growing? If you found the right deal, would you invest there?

Looking for any and all opinions from those of you that are familiar with the area. I realize the best way to learn about a place is to spend some time there, but I am also looking for opinions from those of you that are already there. 

Thanks in advance! 

[Nghi Le]

I don't have any qualms about investing there (whether a flip or rental).  I live in White Center, about 10-15 minutes from Tukwila.  Have been in the neighborhood for the last 20 years.  My church is in Tukwila, and I used to play tennis there (at the high school) a lot.  Southcenter is my favorite mall; spent a lot of my childhood there.

It's a very convenient place to live.  You have 4 or 5 different freeway options pretty close by, so it's easy to get anywhere.  Still pretty close to Seattle, but without the traffic or high prices.  The mall and the airport are 5-10 minutes away.  Downtown Seattle's probably 15-20 minutes away.

Not hard to find tenants if you're house-hacking.  Make sure your immediate neighborhood (1-3 blocks around you) is good.  Make sure you do your screening well, but that's a guideline for anywhere.  And you don't have to deal with the crazy Seattle anti-landlord laws.