From California to Seattle (Tacoma, Bellevue: real estate, sex offenders, homes)

[doherty77]

Hello everyone, I was wondering if anyone knew what Tacoma is like. I will be working in Covington, but was wondering if Tacoma is a descent place to live. It looks much more affordable than Covington. Thank you for the help

[CityGirl72]

What part of California are you coming from?

Ever been to Stockton? I think Taoma is ALOT like Stockton, IMHO

[Tenn.Sunshine]

We lived in Tacoma for a few years and it was alright. Personally for living I would suggest living north of Covington or at least off of the I-5 corridor. If you head south on I-5 in the morning and north in the evenings you will be better off. If you stay off if I-5 entirely that would be even better. Auburn is a very nice place to live, and Puyallup is great, too - and you would never have to get on I-5.
I really liked Puyallup and had we stayed longer it is probably where we would have purchased a home. Auburn is very nice, but too far north for our needs. Auburn is much closer to Covington, and I think it is Auburn that has the outdoor movie theater.
One thing about Tacoma (the port area specifically), is it has a very distinctive smell especially in the warmer summer months. And, like all cities, there are areas that you need to stay away from.
Some of my favorite places in Tacoma were the Point Defiance Park area, Ruston Way (a road right with a great walking/biking trail right on the Sound and some good restaurants, too). There was a dueling piano bar that was a lot of fun, and some cute little districts in downtown as well.
Puyallup, Washington (WA) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news, sex offenders
Auburn, Washington (WA) Detailed Profile - relocation, real estate, travel, jobs, hospitals, schools, crime, news, sex offenders

[Ira500]

There are several neighborhoods in Tacoma that are quite nice. They are the Proctor District, Ruston( near Point Defiance Park), Old Town, and a couple of others.
The aroma of Tacoma actually emanates from the Puyallup River...There used to also be a copper smelter in Ruston which stank to high heaven but it's been closed for years and they've redeveloped that area very nicely.
It's very easy to dismiss a whole city if you've driven through on the freeway or been lost in the wrong neighborhood, but Tacoma's clearly worth a visit.

[Freebird2007]

Originally Posted by CityGirl72

What part of California are you coming from?

Ever been to Stockton? I think Taoma is ALOT like Stockton, IMHO

I would have said Compton

[Djpuma]

Haha if Compton is like Tacoma then what is Long Beach compared to.

Ill be driving from LB in a week in a half to Bellevue (no mental hospital).

Im sure this is a step up, but is Tacoma really like Compton.

[Freebird2007]

Originally Posted by Djpuma

Haha if Compton is like Tacoma then what is Long Beach compared to.

Ill be driving from LB in a week in a half to Bellevue (no mental hospital).

Im sure this is a step up, but is Tacoma really like Compton.

well, only in the sense that both are probably considered the worst parts of their respective states.


Tacoma is probable the lesser of the 2 evils, but still....it is bad.

[cobolt]

Originally Posted by CityGirl72

What part of California are you coming from?

Ever been to Stockton? I think Taoma is ALOT like Stockton, IMHO

I LOL reading this, seeing I've lived in both Stockton and Tacoma. Pretty spot on!

[CityGirl72]

Well as you drive up the 5 to our area - stop by both Stockton and Tacoma - same city, just one has more clouds

Compton eeek. Not THAT bad

Let's see the Long Beach area of Western Washington hmmmmmmmmmm Well it's not beachy but maybe Olympia? More laid back, smaller, and older cute homes

[ky4444]

I was thinking Stockton too before I read the other posts. Tacoma is totally like Stockton!