Mount Vernon is a pretty decent place to live. I lived there for five years and moved in early 2020 right in the beginning of covid. I got really lucky with renting a nice, top floor corner unit with lots of light for 635 a month in a nice-ish area. The landlord I had rents out several properties and was actually a decent landlord... never raised the rent in five years.

Not quite sure about a house? But I think if you looked around you might get lucky like I did and find a decent place within your budget in a nice area. As others have commented, I’d avoid Laventure and west side mount Vernon. Both are just dumpy areas. Some East/south parts of mount Vernon are really nice though, but probably all above 2k.

I don’t really like Burlington or Sedro-Woolley (I grew up in sedro) and it can get depressing as there’s not much to do and it’s usually cloudy when to the West (Mount Vernon, Anacortes etc) it is more sunny and bluer skies. I think mount Vernon is a great location because it’s super close to the freeway, it has more shopping options than sedro and Burlington (in my opinion). And it’s in close proximity to nice/cute places like LaConner Bayview etc. also has pretty good walk ability.

You can message me if you want and ask me any questions! I love that area! Also, I didn’t really experience any crime since I lived in mount Vernon as others have mentioned... yes I did sometimes see gross looking people/druggies walking around just like anywhere else. But living in Seattle/Seattle area is so different and obviously much more crime ridden so when I look back at Mount Vernon I guess I just see it that way? I see it as a nice small town.