Best part of Tacoma to live in? (Seattle, University Place: apartments, rentals)

[pjrichmond]

I'm taking a job Gig Harbor, Wash. at the end of the month but I can't really afford to live in Gig Harbor itself. It was recommended that I live in Tacoma, but I've visited there and it seems like a really unpleasant place to live.

I'm a 20-something, left-leaning woman, and I'd like to live in area with a few coffee shops and pubs, where maybe some other people in my age group would live.

Can anyone recommend a good area in Tacoma to live? (Especially somewhere that is affordable). My other option is to live in Seattle and commute to Gig Harbor, which I've read on here would be a terrible commute.

Thanks!

[back2sa]

Well Seattle is more expensive than Gig Harbor to live in. Add the cost of the commute and I'm sure you'll figure out that it wouldn't save you money in the end.

There are areas surrounding Tacoma (and IN Tacoma) that aren't bad. I'm sure you realize that the nicer the place, the more expensive it will be. North areas of Tacoma are nice, Fircrest, University Place, Steilacoom, Dupont (getting further away from GH now).

Are you looking to buy a house or rent an apartment?

[pjrichmond]

I'm just looking to rent for now. There seem to be reasonably priced apartments in the Stadium District of Tacoma? What is that neighborhood like?

Thanks!

[ness]

Steilacoom would be a really nice place. Very bohemian, small town, laid-back feel. I know they have rental properties that are reasonable and you are by the water. I would also check out Ruston. There are some perks to living in Ruston, the main one being that you are close to Point Defiance Park which has incredible walking trails, etc. Another area of Tacoma that I think is nice is Titlow Beach area. I think, in general, areas near water are nicer. University Place is nice but kinda family oriented. If you're working in Gig Harbor you may want to research the rentals there a bit more. If you dont have to be paying across the bridge daily it might actually be cheaper to be in GH. OR....check out areas just north of GH on the peninsula.

[cobolt]

What do you consider reasonable? I was looking at rentals in Gig Harbor a while back and I found resonable, nice, places. What's your limit?

[pjrichmond]

I'd like to pay under $700 a month. Most of the housing I've found in Gig Harbor is over that. I've been looking on Craiglist... is that the wrong place to look?

[back2sa]

Go to rent.com and look for places on there. If anything to give you an idea. I'm pretty sure you can find slightly cheaper but overall in ANY place including Tacoma you won't find much cheaper than the $700 unless you don't mind living in a not so great area.

[cobolt]

Yea 700 is a bit low for Gig Harbor. My "reasonable" was around 900 per month. You really can't find anything decent for under 700. When I first moved to WA, I rented a place under 700 and man was that a mistake. If you're looking at the "best Tacoma" areas under 700, you just won't find them.

[Mommy05]

Originally Posted by pjrichmond

I'd like to pay under $700 a month. Most of the housing I've found in Gig Harbor is over that. I've been looking on Craiglist... is that the wrong place to look?

pjrichmond, DH & I are planning to move to GH (gig harbor) so I was looking at housing ads on craigslist...came across an ad for a man looking to share his home w/ someone for $750/month...not sure if that's something you'd be interested in, but I thought I remembered reading that someone wanted to rent for "$700/month" near Tacoma...so feel free to PM me if you'd like the link/details! I also noticed a few rentals in the $600 range, also in GH. Good luck in your search!

[ness]

remember that you'll be spending less on gas and bridge tolls if you live in GH and don;t have to commute. It may even out. I know someone renting a pretty nice place in GH for $800 a month. I would do some more research. I think you may find something quite nice just a bit above your range.