Is a commute from Gig Harbor to Bonny Lake feasible. (Tacoma: home, purchase)

[Hicksslp]

My family is relocating from Austin to Washington. My husbands job will be based in Bonney Lake. From what I've read on recent posts, I really like the looks of Gig Harbor and there is a job possibility for me in north Gig Harbor and Bremerton which doesn't look to be too bad of a commute. There is also a job possibility for me in Auburn but I really have my heart set on a more "coastal" community feel. We have a 2 year old so location with good preschools is important as well as decent shopping. We usually go to the farmer market weekly and purchase organic/whole foods mostly. We love the put doors and a location with close proximity to parks and family friendly is a must. I am totally unfamiliar with the area ( my husband somewhat familiar as he lived in Everett for 2 hrs). Any insight you have into commute times for Gig Harbor and /or good places to live in Bonneylake/Auburn area are much appreciated! Thanks for reading my lengthy post!

[Pretzelogik]

In a word.. no.. unless you work out of your car.

[Dendrite]

Originally Posted by Pretzelogik

In a word.. no.. unless you work out of your car.

I agree for the most part but will expand on this answer a bit. Feasible? Maybe. Practical? Likely not.

Travel time between Gig Harbor and Bonney Lake on a low traffic (non-work day) is going to take roughly 40 or 45 minutes. Travel time between the two towns during peak commute-to-work times (work days) is going to be more like an hour, perhaps upwards of an hour and a half if the traffic is snarled due to an accident, construction, weather conditions and other typical happenings around here. That's just one way. He'd still have the return trip traffic to deal with that day. So the answer to your question will depend upon how your husband feels about spending 2 or 3 hours in his car every day commuting back and forth to work. Back and forth, week after week, month after month...

[cabocurtis]

Since schools are a priority you may want to look at the puyallup or sumner area. Schooldigger has their districts rates the highest for near bonney lake locations. You might have your better job opportunities in the puyallup area. They are not coastal towns but you do get the benefit at close views of mount rainier.

[Hicksslp]

Thank you everyone for your replies. We have decided on Gig Harbor and I will be working in Bremerton. My husband's work in Bonney Lake will most likely be for only up to 18 months as he is in retail and they move him around a lot. Gig Harbor affords him the possibility to move to the Tacoma stores or the 3 stores that are in the peninsula area. Thanks for all the input though.

[trixie09]

Gig Harbor is a nice place to live, especially if you have kids. The commute to Bonney Lake would be not advisable at all. I can't speak about the places near Bonney Lake, but your life would be much more enjoyable if everyone lived closer to where they worked, in the family. I found that our quality of life went down when my husband was commuting from GH to Auburn, and the joy of living in Gig Harbor was diminished because he was never home to enjoy it.

I'm sorry to report that the farmers market/organic life is pretty dead here. Gig Harbor's farmer's market is sad. It's mostly wooden toys, kettle corn, and some plants. I''ve had to readjust my thinking after living in California and being spoilt by the amazing produce and markets. You will need to find a good local market or produce store to get what you like. It's just not like Austin or California at all in that regard.

I would avoid Auburn, there really isn't anything of note there. Sumner seems like a lovely place, with a cute downtown, and a great community feel. Perhaps someone here from Sumner can speak about that. It would be my first choice if someone in my family had to commute to Bonney Lake.

Originally Posted by Hicksslp

My family is relocating from Austin to Washington. My husbands job will be based in Bonney Lake. From what I've read on recent posts, I really like the looks of Gig Harbor and there is a job possibility for me in north Gig Harbor and Bremerton which doesn't look to be too bad of a commute. There is also a job possibility for me in Auburn but I really have my heart set on a more "coastal" community feel. We have a 2 year old so location with good preschools is important as well as decent shopping. We usually go to the farmer market weekly and purchase organic/whole foods mostly. We love the put doors and a location with close proximity to parks and family friendly is a must. I am totally unfamiliar with the area ( my husband somewhat familiar as he lived in Everett for 2 hrs). Any insight you have into commute times for Gig Harbor and /or good places to live in Bonneylake/Auburn area are much appreciated! Thanks for reading my lengthy post!