Relocating to Puget Sound-Advice anyone??

[sean98125]

Ruston is a charming area... just don't eat the dirt.

[LMB]

Originally Posted by springshades

As far as that 20 minute response time goes... Tacoma Narrows Bridge commute gets really sketchy sometimes. It can be anything from 3 minutes to 30 to get across and through the traffic in the immediate area.

Are traffic back-ups still an issue even with the new bridge? We haven't encountered any wait time there since it opened, but we weren't traveling during peak times either. I've wondered if the infamous traffic snarls have abated with the new bridge.

Originally Posted by springshades

I agree that Gig Harbor is nice though to be perfectly honest nearly every time I head in that direction I end up skipping that town in order to stop at places on the peninsula I like better... i.e. Poulsbo.

My husband and I felt the same way when we were "town shopping" for our new community last year. Gig Harbor was fairly high on our list...until we really looked again at Poulsbo, which (for us) had everything GH offered and more.

Lynn

[ness]

LOL sean. I should have mentioned the one "problem" with Ruston and other surrounding areas. Ruston and areas in that region have contaminated soil due to an old copper smelter (is that right?). Basically you can't eat the dirt. lol. and you shouldn't allow kids to play in it either unless you've had new soil put in. I know Ruston is the worst, but I've seen maps that say many areas are affected: Tacoma, Steilacoom, UP, etc. It's one of the reasons I like Gig Harbor. DH likes to garden and it would be a pain to have to only plant veggies etc. in raised beds.

[cobolt]

The new Narrows Bridge has eased up traffic flow but you still have traffic. I dont know about getting to Tacoma in 20 minutes from Gig, espeically since it is growing so much as a result of the new bridge: a new Borders Books and Music, other stores, new library,---it's getting more congested in Gig and therefore sometimes getting OUT of town becomes problematic, bridge congestion set aside. Brown's Point is close, and you'd be traveling against traffic flow for the most part during the rush hours. Ruston area is spotty, North Tacoma/Proctor is nice---and pricey--I'd stay away from most other areas in Tacoma, especially Hilltop. I'd also stay away from Federal Way. That place has really gone downhill and the traffic getting out is a nightmare. University Place is nice so long as you stay away from the area around Tacoma Community College and some areas around Bridgeport. Closer to the water and near the Chambers Creek area would be good. All those areas should take care of your 20 minute restriction. I would suggest you visit the area and really get a feel before moving out if at all possible. Although I've done it before, I would never move somewhere sight unseen. I did it when I moved from Texas to University Place---was stuck in a one year lease and really regretted it.

Good luck

[Pugetsoundman]

Thanks for all of the comments. We did spend over three weeks in NW WA since July checking out the area including stays in Squim, PT, GH, Tacoma, Olympia, Auburn, Federal Way, Puyallup, Seattle itself, Edmonds, Everett, Anascortes, and Friday Harbor. So we have seen most of the neighborhoods in play. We are taking the Tacoma job and will settle in GH unless something really drastic happens (Mount Rainer erupts, for instance...LOL) Thanks again!!

[gary_30307]

As someone who relocated here in the past several years, I'll chime in and say that Edmonds completely captured us. We especially found that the "Esperance" area (which is unincorporated Snohomish with an Edmonds address, located north of Westgate Chapel) gives us the best balance between being closer to I-5, while still being only a mile and a half from downtown Edmonds. Plus, the houses here are pretty nice and still very reasonable.

[Pugetsoundman]

We reallly liked Edmonds also. We spent several days there. The job there was very nice but I would have had to send half my time in Everett which was a job very much like the job I'm leaving in Illinois. So Edmonds was eliminated for that reason.

[ness]

Originally Posted by Pugetsoundman

Thanks for all of the comments. We did spend over three weeks in NW WA since July checking out the area including stays in Squim, PT, GH, Tacoma, Olympia, Auburn, Federal Way, Puyallup, Seattle itself, Edmonds, Everett, Anascortes, and Friday Harbor. So we have seen most of the neighborhoods in play. We are taking the Tacoma job and will settle in GH unless something really drastic happens (Mount Rainer erupts, for instance...LOL) Thanks again!!

My friend commutes into Tacoma from GH and he says it takes him about 15 mins. or less usually. Not bad. I think you'll be very happy in GH. DH and I have looked at a lot of the areas that you mentioned and we found GH to be the best for us if we decide to make the move. I still have to convince DH. There is a great little breakfast place in GH near the water on Pioneer called Kelly's. It is very easy going and friendly-----not fancy, but good food. Another favorite thing to do of mine while in GH is to get coffee at the little place by the water where they have pottery painting and coffee (interesting mix I know) and then walk along the dock.

[Pugetsoundman]

Originally Posted by ness

My friend commutes into Tacoma from GH and he says it takes him about 15 mins. or less usually. Not bad. I think you'll be very happy in GH. DH and I have looked at a lot of the areas that you mentioned and we found GH to be the best for us if we decide to make the move. I still have to convince DH. There is a great little breakfast place in GH near the water on Pioneer called Kelly's. It is very easy going and friendly-----not fancy, but good food. Another favorite thing to do of mine while in GH is to get coffee at the little place by the water where they have pottery painting and coffee (interesting mix I know) and then walk along the dock.

The little coffee shop in front of the pottery painting shop also has terrific chocolate layered cake!! Just ask my wife!!

[Balco9]

Originally Posted by scirocco22

I vote for Edmonds, too, doctor.

Out of the four cities you mentioned, Edmonds is clearly the best of the four to live and work. You'd also be close enough to Everett and hospitals like Stevens to commute from Edmonds if necessary.

Living in Gig Harbor and commuting into Tacoma would be a pain for me so unless you'll actually be working or spending time in a hospital in Gig Harbor I'd still choose Edmonds.

Dash Point is too close to Federal Way for my tastes. Browns Point isn't bad, though, but still I'd rather be in Edmonds.

Rocco, i like to hear your views on Federal Way?