Relocation Suggestions! (Will be working in DuPont) (Seattle, Tacoma: apartments, rentals)

[Amylamm]

Hello!! So, the good news is that I got an offer from Amazon, and will be working at their new center in DuPont; bad news is, I'm from Arizona, like I would know anything but a year-round summer weather, let alone I'm a newly college graduate with no family here in the states.

Although I don't know the exact start date, I am expecting to move within the next couple months. But where should I start looking? I still live in Arizona and cannot afford to fly myself to Washington just to check out the neighborhood. I know Seattle will be too far of a commute (especially with traffic). Where should I live then?

As far as how much I'm looking/ willing to pay for rent; how far I'm willing to commute, etc. I'm not picky. I don't mind driving (I drive 45 mins to work now and that is on a good day with no traffic). I'm not sure how much is a reasonable price for rent because WA has such a higher standard of living compared to AZ.

I'm open to all of your suggestions and comments. Some knowledge about the area is better than none Thank you so much!!

[Hemlock140]

Dupont itself is nice, with some newer homes/apartments but very little to do there. I would look at Lacey, which has many more shops, restaurants, and activities. You would also be close to Olympia which is a bigger city with more nightlife for a young person. Seattle would definitely be a horrendous commute, an hour in the middle of the night, as much as 2 at commute times. Tacoma would be better at 20 minutes if you want to live in a recently more vibrant downtown area.
The entire stretch of I5 between Tacoma and Olympia is gridlocked on Friday nights and Sunday afternoon-evening due to people going south for the weekend, and the military base in between, especially in summer.

Your year-round summer weather will be reduced to July and August, with maybe a week or two into September, and
rarely over 85. The Nisqually area where you will be working is actually wetter than Seattle and gets a bit colder in winter despite being further south.

[MJ5150]

If you love and thrive in the sun of Arizona, decline the job offer in Dupont.

While you may not be picky about rental prices, what is your budget? There are many options for rentals close to Dupont.

-Mike

[homesinseattle]

Hi Amylamm, Congrats on the job! With housing prices so attractive in Pierce and Thurston County and interest rates so low, why wouldn't you consider buying a home?

[libbyf]

If you want nightlife, I wouldn't live in DuPont. It's very family friendly, but not a place for young singles. Tacoma or Olympia are both good suggestions. The previous poster is correct...I-5 during rush hour might be the worst traffic you've ever experienced (especially true near Ft. Lewis). There is no route from DuPont to Olympia w/o taking the highway. However, there is a back route through Steilacoom to go north to Tacoma/University Place, so if I were you - and if you're commuting during rush hour - I would be more prone to look north for housing.