lacey or puyallup? (Lakewood, Olympia, Spanaway: house, neighborhood, buyers)

[mgv456]

We are a family with 3 school aged kids moving to WA. My husband will be working in Lacey and I in Puyallup. Where will be the best place to live with the shortest commute for both of us and the best schools? Any advise is appreciated.

[NW Crow]

I can't say from experience on the schools (though I'd guess probably can have a good experience at either) but Lacey is the safer of the two cities with probably a bit less expensive housing and a bit lower population density.

The commute would likely be worse one time (morning or evening) than the other from either city but probably about even overall. It may come down to who needs to get back to the house fastest or hates being in traffic worse.

Another option would be to look at DuPont (at I-5 exit 119 I think) in between Lacey and Puyallup. Both would have a commute but shorter ones.

If you wanted rural you could look at Yelm. The commuting would shift to small backroads which may have advantages and disadvantages and I am not sure how that weighs out overall or for a particular driver.

[AlohaHuey]

There is a housing glut in Puyallup, but I would only move there if you plan to spend 5-7 years in the house.

[mgv456]

thanks! how about lakewood and homes along gravelly lake drive? I heard the safety is questionable in that area?

[Hemlock140]

Unfortunately the area between the jobs military base so no way to have a short commute each. I'd stick to Lacey, it's not only a better and safer area than Lakewood but recently started to grow with more shopping and entertainment options. We go down there once in a while to hit Cabella's.

If you take a drive on I5 through Dupont to Lacey then on to Olympia I think you will visually determine that Lacey is the best place to live in that area. Unfortunately the stretch of I5 for the commute to Puyallup is about the worst traffic in the state but one of you will have to do it.

[scirocco22]

I agree with bisjoe. Lacey would be my choice. Good schools and convenient to everything. Depending on where you'd be living in Lacey and where you work in Puyallup, you can avoid the mess on I-5 bisjoe is referring to by taking a local route on the east side of JBLM.

[lei17]

Originally Posted by AlohaHuey

There is a housing glut in Puyallup, but I would only move there if you plan to spend 5-7 years in the house.

Aloha Huey,

What is a housing glut? Sorry, I'm young and new to all this!

Thanks!

[lei17]

Originally Posted by scirocco22

I agree with bisjoe. Lacey would be my choice. Good schools and convenient to everything. Depending on where you'd be living in Lacey and where you work in Puyallup, you can avoid the mess on I-5 bisjoe is referring to by taking a local route on the east side of JBLM.

Thanks! I'm also looking at Lacey and this information is great! If you go on Lacey's city website you'll notice that they're a lot more involved. Great parks and entertainment for sure! The backroads are definitely a plus to JBLM.

Would you agree Lacey over Spanaway?

[Sandy Nelson]

I'd vote for Lacey, too. The communte will not be pleasant between Lacey and Puyallup no matter in which of the two cities you end up living, unless you decide to live somewhere in between. In that case either Dupont or Lakewood would be good choices. Lakewood is a mixed bag, so pick your neighborhood carefully. In Dupont you won't have to worry about any wrong side of the tracks areas.
Good Luck!

[NW Crow]

By housing glut I'd guess Aloha Huey probably meant more sellers of homes than buyers so only buy there if you are going to stay awhile and hopefully see an improved sellers market eventually.