Love West Seattle, but it's changing and becoming too expensive. Where to go? (Tacoma: best city, sale)

[Flightoficarus87]

Originally Posted by Zima1349

tommy64 - I will have to explore Tacoma a bit more. I've steered clear of it in the past, it does not have the best reputation. But, perhaps it's time for an exploratory mission.

Tacoma has changed a lot in the past 5-10 years. You might be pleasantly surprised with the North End neighborhoods.

You'd better move quick though, prices are skyrocketing like crazy there. The really desirable areas are getting to levels just below that of West Seattle, IMO.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by homesinseattle

Crazy, I've been with 2 sets of clients that area in the last week. Pretty good value for money, some spots have nice Lake Washington and Mt Rainier views, quick hop step to vibrant Columbia City also. Like anywhere close in, places get bid up. $700K would definitely make OP's wishes more feasible that $600K.

I was impressed with that listing. Are there well-treed properties like that in that area? I mean, is it a common thing?

[homesinseattle]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

I was impressed with that listing. Are there well-treed properties like that in that area? I mean, is it a common thing?

Ruth, not common but they exist.

[Ira500]

Burien. It's got the views, and DT Burien has the indy coffee shops to Starbucks ratio you're looking for. Plus it has an independant movie theatre, two good bakeries, bookstores, lots of good mexican places. And a great park.

[homesinseattle]

Yes Ira, I am in complete agreement. A view, however, would push the price above the OP's $600k target. If they can settle for not having a view, but being close to one, Burien is great.

[CrazyDonkey]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

I was impressed with that listing. Are there well-treed properties like that in that area? I mean, is it a common thing?

If you look at the street view, you'll see that the trees surrounding that house are all on the lot (5,500sf) - it is an isolate. The house was built in the 1960s. Having Kubota Gardens a block away is a major plus.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by homesinseattle

Ruth, not common but they exist.

I asked, because in the neighborhood where I lived, in Victory Heights, it was common to have a lot full of cedar trees. Some neighborhoods are like that. (Lake Forest Park being a good example.) But I guess that later developers in that Renton/S. Seattle neighborhood cut down the trees? That's so sad. I don't think they realize that they're undermining the lots' value, when they do that.

[pete98146]

You aren't the only ones being priced out of West Seattle. My good friends could simply no longer afford their recent $500 a month rent increase for the home they were renting and now they've relocated to Auburn.


Discussed with a realtor friend of mine who confirms the hot zones for sales are down in Burien and Des Moines.

[Zima1349]

Went to Tacoma today. Not very impressed. Very, very long stretches of suburban-like neighborhoods. Proctor was cute, and there's a coffee shop called Valhalla Coffee. Point Defiance Park is lovely, and there are some beautiful old houses at the north end of Proctor. Peaks and Pints was not bad for some beer and food.

But, overall the area feels a little poor and run down. Long stretches of suburban-like neighborhoods with no end in sight. Industrial area around I5 is just the most depressing thing between Vancouver and Portland. Biggest thing - while you can get Sound views, you can't really see the Olympics. Pretty much a deal-breaker for me. If I was willing to give up Olympic views, Vashon or Bainbridge both offer more nature and a more quaint town while having a better commute to Seattle.

[blaserbrad]

Originally Posted by Zima1349

Went to Tacoma today. Not very impressed. Very, very long stretches of suburban-like neighborhoods. Proctor was cute, and there's a coffee shop called Valhalla Coffee. Point Defiance Park is lovely, and there are some beautiful old houses at the north end of Proctor. Peaks and Pints was not bad for some beer and food.

But, overall the area feels a little poor and run down. Long stretches of suburban-like neighborhoods with no end in sight. Industrial area around I5 is just the most depressing thing between Vancouver and Portland. Biggest thing - while you can get Sound views, you can't really see the Olympics. Pretty much a deal-breaker for me. If I was willing to give up Olympic views, Vashon or Bainbridge both offer more nature and a more quaint town while having a better commute to Seattle.

Surprising.. I think that if your'e in the Northend, the views are better or equivalent to anything Seattle has to offer. I mean, come on, looking at Browns point from commencement bay looks like you're viewing a coastal Mediterranean town. On top of that, Mt. Rainier is something like 20 miles closer and it is very noticeable. Certain neighborhoods are ready for improvement and up to date infrastructure but I think hat the northend has done an excellent job of keep itself modernized, while still retaining its old charm.I think that it could be more lively, but there is so much room to grow and it is.. very quickly. Tacoma is a land of opportunity and probably the last city on the West Coast with that claim. Get it while you can..