PCS'ing to Fort Lewis area (Tacoma, Yakima: apartment complex, rental, appliances)

[joesmama4]

Hi all.... We are going to be moving to the Ft. Lewis area toward the end of the year. My 5 year old son is autistic and and i've been told by another parent with a child with similar disabilites that the Thurston County school district is the best place for him to be. So, we will be renting in either Lacey or Olympia. What I would like to know is how much we can expect to spend per month on utilities, so we know how much we can afford. Any input is appreciated!

[princessvanessa]

Will you be renting an apartment or a house? If it is an apartment it will probably be electric heat and the size will not influence the electric bill too much.

If it is a house it could be either electric, natural gas, or oil. If it is natural gas or oil you will have electricity bill and gas or oil bill. Also, it would depend on how big the house is.

[joesmama4]

We'd prefer a house, most likely a three bedroom. Around 1200-1500 sq. ft. or so?? But, because rent is so high, we might have to go with an apartment. Thanks for the tip about the oil and natural gas. I didn't realize that it was a separate bill!! Does anybody else have any advice or price ranges for me?? (For everything, electric, water, sewer, trash, etc...) Thanks again!

[princessvanessa]

Originally Posted by joesmama4

We'd prefer a house, most likely a three bedroom. Around 1200-1500 sq. ft. or so?? But, because rent is so high, we might have to go with an apartment. Thanks for the tip about the oil and natural gas. I didn't realize that it was a separate bill!! Does anybody else have any advice or price ranges for me?? (For everything, electric, water, sewer, trash, etc...) Thanks again!

I have a 1500 sq. ft. home in Pierce county (about 18 miles north of Lacey).
I live alone and have natural gas heat (electric fan forced) and gas hot water tank.
Here's my PSE (Puget Sound Energy) gas bills, rounded up
8/06 $19
9/06 $20
10/06 $23
11/06 $85
12/06 $102
1/07 $136
2/07 $100
3/07 $90
4/07 $83
5/07 $43
6/07 $29
7/07 $26
8/07 $24

I have water and electricity through City of Tacoma Utilities. I am billed every other month.
Water bill pretty much stable at $40 to $42 (every two months) You will need to adjust water consumption for size of family.
Electricity as follows:
8/06 to 10/06 $77
10/06 to 12/06 $180
12/06 to 2/07 $193
2/07 to 4/07 $108
4/07 to 6/07 $61
6/07 to 8/07 $75 (I have been running my portable air conditioner on hot days)

I have University Place Refuse Service (garbage) which is $55 every other month (I have a 60 gal. garbage can, 90 gal. yard waste tote, 70 gal. paper/plastic/can recycle tote). If I were in Tacoma city limits garbage would be added to City of Tacoma Utilities bill (I think it is about $25 per month).

I am on septic so I cannot tell you what the added cost of sewer would be. Sorry.

It has been 14 years since I lived in an apartment so I can't give you an accurate cost for electricity. The garbage, water, and sewer are covered by the apartment complex--often they pay basic cable television as well. You cover electric and phone.

Although Lacey would be a different utility it should be roughly equivalent to what I am paying.

[Sandy Nelson]

Joesmama4,

So much also depends on how old the home is. Newer homes are better insulated and have more energy efficient appliances. I live in Olympia and we don't pay very much for electricity, or water, but the sewer bill is expensive. It's $70 every other month. Our energy source is gas, which is also not that much. I would agree with your friend that the Thurston County schools, and in particular the Olympia School District is great.

Sandy

[jjjmr02]

Thurston schools are great. The program for autism and special needs for the Clover Park school district which encompasses the base, is not that great....at all, and Lacey is a great place to live. Utilities really depend on the house and personal usage. I know, when we first moved here to Yakima from FT Lewis, our rental home was horribly insulated and had floor heaters, and our electric bill was aboput $250 a month. We bought a much larger home, and our biggest electrical bill here has been $80, so it really just depends. You may want to check into the SMART program once you get settled in here. It helps with the utility deposits. Here's a link to the FT Lewis Newcomer's Guide which can give you mre info:

http://pdf.marcoa.com/pdf/fortlewis.pdf

Good luck!

[armywife247]

I live in Lacey with my husband and 2 year old son. We live in a 1530 SF duplex that is about 10 years old. It is 3 bed 1.5 bath. Our utilities are as follows:

Electric/gas is $70 in the summer and $150 in the winter. Water and heat are gas.

Water is $66/mo most of which is $60 treatment fee

Garbage is $44 every other month for a 90 Gal trash and 90 Gal recycle.

Also I don't know where you're coming from, but gas is at about $2.90/gal and the food can be expensive. Best place to shop cost wise is Wal-Mart. I have price compared all of them including the Commisary.

Definately go to the housing office and ask for their list of homes, you will find something decent and inexpensive. You may even get this home as we are leaving in Dec. Good luck!