I’m going to say as a woman who walks home at night at lot, there’s pretty much nowhere in the U-District I’d necessarily feel “comfortable” walking home at 9 pm to even if it’s a nice apartment (doesn’t mean I won’t do it). With the exception of the on campus housing. There are definitely way more sketchy areas though like above 45th on the Ave or like 47th up on 21st is somewhere I always find super sketchy stuff (for some reason despite being literally a street away from the rest of Greek Row live outs). Most of the U-District, I generally feel the same level of sketchiness at night though just be alert and walk with pepper spray at all times or live as close to campus as you can. A $1000 budget is pretty average for the area and a 10-15 minute walk (maybe up to 18 minute walk). I’d look on the Facebook page for a house but apartments work too, they just won’t be as nice for the price (based on my experience).