Tacoma vs. Olympia (Lakewood, Steilacoom: prices, nearby, better)

[trailtramp]

Old thread here, reviving it to get fresh comparisons and thoughts from those in the know! Thanks

[Taz22]

Ok, in the four years we’ve lived here, Olympia has quadrupled it’s homeless population. There are still decent areas, Lacey would be my top choice, it’s newer, cleaner and has the best selection of stores and restaurants. Olympia is lacking in a lot of big city amenities, having to drive the car all the way to Tacoma for car service because Olympia doesn’t do the make, is a big chunk of time for what should be a simple errand.

Overall, Tacoma might have a higher crime rate, but stay away from the bad areas, pick a nice area and you have a lot more restaurants, stores and better medical than Olympia can offer. My spouse is having a simple surgery next month and has to go all the way to Seattle, they don’t do it in Olympia. The closest airports are a two hour drive on a good day.

I noticed the Fred Meyer in Tumwater is locking their liquor up, there has been more than one homeless person walking off with it. The area looks seedy and I’m waiting to see a payday loan go up. Olympia might have some small town appeal, but the place has gone downhill a lot. No one seems pro active about fixing the problem, so things will likely deteriorate more. On a good note, they are picking up trash around some of the camps.

[fluffydelusions]

Originally Posted by Taz22

The closest airports are a two hour drive on a good day.

This is not true. We've driven to SeaTac airport at least a dozen times the past few years from the west side of Olympia and it takes roughly an hour. Google maps right now at the time of this post says 49 minutes.

[Taz22]

Originally Posted by fluffydelusions

This is not true. We've driven to SeaTac airport at least a dozen times the past few years from the west side of Olympia and it takes roughly an hour. Google maps right now at the time of this post says 49 minutes.

I live further out, but in Olympia or Lacey the commute is shorter, depends on the time of day or whatever road work is going on.

[Diana Holbrook]

It is a little shocking to read these old threads that start out wondering if the housing market is depressed in this area or concerns about not being able to sell.

I wondered if I was in the right forum! The housing market in both places is crazy right now.

As for the question… Tacoma and Olympia are different kinds of places to live - one is a bigger city, one is a small to medium size one... even considering Olympia/Lacey/Tumwater as one general entity. Some people like living in the city and some people don’t! Some people like a suburban or rural setting. The shopping turns out to be much the same... Same Costco same Fred Meyer same Home Depot type chains.

For military families there is a lot of military living in Yelm to consider as well. Yelm can be an easy backdoor commute to JBLM but it’s further from I-5 with feeder roads that seem always under construction for getting anywhere else. As with everything it’s a trade off :-)

[pnwguy2]

Tacoma has more of an urban feel. Olympia is still a somewhat small town despite being the State capital. Yes the governmental areas are strong and pronounced but the city still seems smallish.

[TheTimidBlueBars]

Younger Millennial here, I have a good opinion of Tacoma and the only major thing keeping me from living there is it's too small for my taste.

A few weekends ago, I took a Seattle friend there so we could go to the WA history museum (all the Seattle museums are doing timed tickets but charging full price). He was reluctant to go because he'd only heard the stereotypes of Tacoma from longtime Seattleites, but ended up having a great time checking out the neighborhoods. When he saw the huge, sweeping views of the Sound from the hill just west of Old Town, he mentioned he almost wished he'd moved there instead of Seattle.

[pnwguy2]

Originally Posted by TheTimidBlueBars

Younger Millennial here, I have a good opinion of Tacoma and the only major thing keeping me from living there is it's too small for my taste.

A few weekends ago, I took a Seattle friend there so we could go to the WA history museum (all the Seattle museums are doing timed tickets but charging full price). He was reluctant to go because he'd only heard the stereotypes of Tacoma from longtime Seattleites, but ended up having a great time checking out the neighborhoods. When he saw the huge, sweeping views of the Sound from the hill just west of Old Town, he mentioned he almost wished he'd moved there instead of Seattle.

True, if you get off I-5 and go west the views of the Sound are as good, if not better, than Seattle. Prices have been rising here, still a bargain compared with its big sister.

[trailtramp]

Any comments about University Place or Lakewood? Seem quite close to DT Tacoma just a few minutes drive?

[pnwguy2]

University Place is a 60’s/70’s suburb with some nice, but not new homes. Lakewood is more of a suburb that supports JBLM, but as you get further away from the base it is more upscale.