Best Seattle Neighborhoods for Commute to Tacoma? (Lakewood, George: apartment, to rent)

[Baires1976]

I'd appreciate your insight on commuting from Seattle to Tacoma.

I recently accepted a job in Tacoma, but I have my heart set on living in Seattle. I'm a professor, so I won't need to make the commute every day. I'd like to have the quickest commute possible, while still being close to downtown Seattle.

Any thoughts on Georgetown, West Seattle, Belltown, Capitol Hill, and Queen Anne? Any other suggestions?

I will be in Seattle for a week in July to check things out.

Thanks.

[tobester]

Depends on what you're looking for regarding living quarters ... house, apartment, condo ... buy, rent. Anything south of I90 makes for a pretty easy 'reverse commute' to Tacoma.

[Baires1976]

Thanks! I'm looking to rent an apartment for at least the first year. I'd like to get to know the area before buying a place.

As far as neighborhoods go, ideally it would be safe and walkable with access to public transportation to downtown.

[Ira500]

Id rule out Belltown and Queen Anne, just because it could be a painful commute to Tacoma, but even not living in those neighborhoods it could be a 45 minute one way trip, depending on where in Seattle and where in Tacoma...
West Seattle's not a bad choice, as both I-5 and Hwy 509 aren't far away. Much of Wes Seattle is awfully nice...pretty, safe, friendly, walkable...
Georgetown still has a bit of an industrial feel, but has hip art studios and restaurants...It's more urban/gritty/hip than West Seattle...
You also may want to investigate Seward Park/Lakewood( not the Lakewood near Tacoma, the neighborhood near Seward Park), Columbia City, Mount Baker, Leschi, Madrona, and North Beacon Hill.
These are all neighborhoods that are fairly nice and far enough south but still in the city .
That all said, spend a little time in the Proctor District in Tacoma before you decide not to live in Tacoma. It's every bit as nice as the nicest Seattle neighborhoods, but quite a bit less expensive, and fun, walkable, safe....

[spacecadet610]

you might consider living downtown seattle and taking the sounder rail into tacoma. avoid traffic and no need for a car.

[tobester]

I live in the Seward Park/Columbia City area and would highly recommend it ... fairly quick freeway access. Re taking the Sounder to Tacoma - I'd double check the schedule ... since it's a reverse commute, may not be that convenient.

[Baires1976]

Thanks for the advice. I will look into those neighborhoods while I am in town.

[Backstrom]

I would most definitely consider Sounder. Driving will be a nightmare.

[garfield206]

you should get a house near the i-90 on beacon hill you can get on the free way to tacoma quick plus thats the southern part of the city so you are already closer than other parts of the city

[Prple]

Originally Posted by Ira500

That all said, spend a little time in the Proctor District in Tacoma before you decide not to live in Tacoma. It's every bit as nice as the nicest Seattle neighborhoods, but quite a bit less expensive, and fun, walkable, safe....

I agree with this... The Proctor District in Tacoma is worth looking into.