Living in Gig Harbor, working in Olympia (Seattle, Tacoma: sale, crime rates)

[Tacobandito]

Personally, I'd much rather enjoy living in a certain area, and have to drive a bit to work, than live close to your work and get up every day thinking atleast I dont have long to drive today.. I currently live in Bangor, and drive to Tacoma for work tue - sat... You couldnt get me to move to Tacoma if you beat me with a wooden spoon. I'd much prefer the hour drive there and back, and $40 a week gas expense.

Then again thats just my opinion -J

[cobolt]

Well who would WANT to live in Tacoma? And who would want to commute if they could have it all in their back yard? And living in Tacoma vs Oly is like comparing apples and rabbits.

[Tacobandito]

Apples and rabbits, I like that.. Anyhoo, I was under the impression they really liked Gig Harbor, and were toying with the idea of moving to Olympia for work.. Sounds like apples and apples to me, no?

-J

[harleyj]

elma is 20 min to olympia, Mccleary is 15, 10 if your fast... it just depends if you want country living close to the city or the city... elma is a great choice for peice and quiet oh and not to mention the friendly people

[Sandy Nelson]

Originally Posted by crimson4154

Too funny - I told my husband yesterday, I simply did not want to live completely isolated - that I wanted a coffeeshop AND a bakery within walking distance. Thank you for that great input!!

Sandy, is waterfront doable on our budget of 400K? I heard about a park nearby with trails etc. The more we have within reach of not getting in the car will help sell a home to us.

Thanks again!

Crimson,

Lake waterfront could be doable. Living in Olympia's Capitol neighborhood, or East-side neighborhood will put you in walking distance to bakeries, coffee shops and walking trails.

Sandy

[mthomson]

As a realtor in Gig Harbor, I'd have to agree that trying Olympia first is a good idea. Something that many people forget, however, is the Key Peninsula. There are some beautiful waterview (not waterfront) properties in the $400's on the KP, and it's a GORGEOUS drive the back way into Olympia.
Just a though.

[ChadPettingill]

Originally Posted by cobolt

Well who would WANT to live in Tacoma? And who would want to commute if they could have it all in their back yard? And living in Tacoma vs Oly is like comparing apples and rabbits.

Bias! There are beautiful areas of Tacoma I would love to live in but are way too expensive. Where do you live btw? Probably a King County dweller...

[Xenobion]

Originally Posted by ChadPettingill

Bias! There are beautiful areas of Tacoma I would love to live in but are way too expensive. Where do you live btw? Probably a King County dweller...

Many Washingtonians are resting on a stereotype of Tacoma that was true 20 years ago. It was a scumhole back then. Many people haven't looked back despite how desirable its become to live there.

The new scumholes are Southern King County and Lakewood.

[mthomson]

Lakewood is the new scumhole? Interesting generalization. There are currently 32 homes listed for sale for over $750k, including 20 for over $1M, in that scumhole. No doubt there are some rough areas in Lakewood, just like there are rough areas in Tacoma, and even rough areas of Gig Harbor.
Generalizations such as calling Lakewood a scumhole really give people the wrong impressions of a place.
If you worked in Olympia, and really love Gig Harbor, it's a manageable commute. Not one I'd want, but doable. There are lots of places along the way, including Lakewood, that offer nice housing options as well.

[Xenobion]

I totally agree that its all relative and I think thats what most of these forums go out to do. Lakewood is a scumhole because it has such disparity between rich and poor. Such you'll find 1/10 of the population of Lakewood living in on Gravely Lake, American Lake and Lake Stiellacoom in their McMansions but in no way does this represent greater Lakewood and the abomination that is Lakewood Town Center (Who the hell thought about putting City Hall next to a Burlington Coat Factory?). The city is poorly planned and I hear far more people getting shot on Bridgeport Way than MLK street in Tacoma these days. The city is full of ugly gated communities that don't rest to far from slums. There is no sense of community in this city and the school district is actually worse than Tacoma's. Just because there is rich housing stock doesn't mean that it accurately reflects what the city is as a whole. Its a city that took most of the ugliness away from Tacoma as it is just strip mall after strip mall of horrible suburban living.