Moving from S. CA to possibly Tacoma WA? (Seattle, Lakewood: cheap apartments, to rent) - Washington - City-Data Forum

Kenspunkin · 11-16-2007, 06:25 PM

Hi! My husband and I are planning to move to Washington in 4 to 5 months. The problem is that we were considering Tacoma, but alot of posts have been really negative. We had nothing but good reviews from friends, that have lived there before, about jobs, the reason for our choosing that city. How is the area around Mcchord AFB? I have seen the post from another member with the maps and circles, but that area was not covered. Please help.

earls · 11-16-2007, 08:27 PM

Is there a special reason for moving there? Like for example you or relatives are in service? If not then take the advice of other posts you have read and look for a better better area.

back2sa · 11-16-2007, 11:45 PM

Don't believe all the bad posts you read. Like every city there are good areas and bad areas. The WHOLE area is not bad. Lakewood is around McChord and overall isn't a great area. There are good places within Lakewood (around the lake, other areas with million dollar homes, etc...) but overall it isn't great. Try looking slightly away from McChord. Dupont is 10-15 minutes away and is good. University Place & Fircrest & parts of Tacoma are good.

Kenspunkin · 11-17-2007, 05:37 PM

Thanks for that bit of info. I will definately start to look at those other areas as well.

As for the reason for moving, my husband and I are dying to get out of California. Our friends and family had said how awesome Washington is. Tacoma was an option because of abundance of jobs and I found some really cheap apartments there that would help while we got on our feet in a new state. I am just feeling a little more lost than when I started my searching.

ness · 11-17-2007, 06:11 PM

There are lots of nice areas in and around Tacoma. Don't let anyone rain on your parade. We have three friends (couples) that have moved from SoCal to Tacoma and surrounding areas because they have much better quality of life than was possible in over-priced SoCal. We've visited many times and the areas I like the most are: Steilacoom, Gig Harbor, Ruston, University Place, and Titlow Beach (in Tacoma). There are some not nice areas of Tacoma, just like there are not nice areas of LA. I think you need to go up and visit before making a decision about which area. There is an area that will appeal to you more so than others.

Xenobion · 11-19-2007, 04:40 AM

McChord isn't really in Tacoma, its in Lakewood which is its own city and full of disparity of the really rich to the really poor. Recommendations are Stelicoom (a historical, quiet bedroom community on the water) and DuPont (a planned community with a glut of new housing that is pretty affordable). Avoid Lakewood and Parkland in my opinion. University Place is an option but traffic gets wild near Gravely Lake Drive.

Kenspunkin · 11-20-2007, 09:41 AM

Thanks for your help. Now how bad is the traffic? I live in a city where it takes 45 minutes just to get across town, where in 2004 it only took 15 minutes on a bad day. We also deal with having the traffic lights turn green at least 3 times before it gets to your turn to go through it. I hope its not like that. Do you have any recommendations for one bedroom apartments in those areas that you have mentioned?

Elisa Colyer · 11-20-2007, 02:01 PM

do not move by any airforce base here you are looking for getto if you do. if you want to move to washington then look into olympia if you want a city.i have been to cali lots of times and tacoma is like moving to orange county about the same.

Xenobion · 11-21-2007, 03:16 AM

Dupont is a newly incorporated city as far as Washington standards go and lacks a lot of apartment housing but possesses more than enough of housing stock to buy. It is a planned community taken over by Quadrant homes and I can be you can find a place to rent there on craigslist.

But if its just a one bedroom apartment I agree you should go further south to avoid the ghetto areas (which mostly exist in Lakewood/Parkland). Further south is Lacey, a quaint city that has all the amenities of a medium sized city and has plenty of apartments. Olympia is there as well.

University Place could be an option but you should understand traffic patters in washington as all going toward Seattle in the morning and all going away from Seattle in the evening. University Place is near a choke point on I-5 as many people live south of Tacoma. Gravely Lake Drive is a constant headache for me when I drive to Portland, OR. It seems to have quite a few accidents and can be backed up to the point of tripling your commute. This being said it is rare during not commuting hours for these freak accidents to occur. I frankly wouldn't totally make this a reason not to move to an area as nice as University Place

If you look at google maps, anything south of Highway 512 and I-5 will make your traffic oriented commute smooth if you are going South.

If you are really looking at affordable nice apartments and safe living and don't want to live in McChord area I would say Puyallup is your place to be.

ness · 11-21-2007, 09:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Elisa Colyer

do not move by any airforce base here you are looking for getto if you do. if you want to move to washington then look into olympia if you want a city.i have been to cali lots of times and tacoma is like moving to orange county about the same.

Um....Tacoma is nothing like Orange County. IMO.