Anywhere near Tacoma that's cheap and safe? (Puyallup, University Place: apartment complex, rental)

[mconzemius]

Hey everyone! I've looked all over the forums and I'm looking for an area that is fairly affordable and safe. My husband and I have 3 young children (ages 5, 3 and almost 1 year). My husband will be working and I will be going to school. I am looking for a place that is near Tacoma (I know living *IN* Tacoma is probably unreasonable for our family due to the crime, etc..), has decent schools and is somewhat affordable. By that I mean $1,000/month for rent or less. We are willing to cram into a 2 bedroom if necessary until I am through school and we are ready to buy a house. I recently have been considering University Place. Will UP be able to offer what I am looking for?

Can someone PLEASE suggest an area or even a specific apartment that I should consider. Thanks so much!

[mthomson]

Tacoma is not unreasonable at all for a family. There are many neighborhoods in Tacoma that are wonderful places to live. Anything in the 98407,98405,98406,98466 zip codes will be very nice.
I'd stay away from East Tacoma and South of 56th St, but even there there are some good neighborhoods.
UP is okay, but gets pricier. There are some very decent apartments on South 12th and Orchard, some good ones near 6th and Jackson.
You can always call the TPD to get info on crime, but I wouldn't shy away from Tacoma.

[mconzemius]

Thanks for your quick response! I have lived in Tacoma before (on S.96th Street) and it was not a good expereince. I know that it is a bad area and that not ALL of Tacoma is bad. Too bad I didn't know that when we moved in there! LOL! I will look into the zip codes you have provided! Thanks again!

[bellabella2]

I agree... There are some incredibly nice places in Tacoma. I bought a house in 98407 - North Tacoma west end. I still have it.
Never had a problem there and felt really safe walking in the evenings. It is just a nice place that doensn't feel like part of the city. There are many parks and Point Defiance and the aquarium and zoo are nearby. A great hit if you have small kids

My house is above your rental range....but just two blocks over there is an apartment complex that seems very nice. I am not sure what is the rent range there. It is right across Truman Middle School ( Pearl ave and N 38th street). Point Defiance Elementary is not far either.

I think this is a very safe neighborhood.

Check craiglist...I also saw a house renting for 1100...the cheapest I have seen in this neighborhood for a house.

[mconzemius]

Thank you, Bella for the information. Craigslist is a GREAT rental resource that I never before considered checking into. (DUH!!!) I really appreciate the help.

[Macanudo]

There are some apartments that might be in your price range along Bridgeport between Custer (74th) and 6th Avenue. That's a large area but it's relatively safe and close to a lot .

[larrykcragun]

Parts of the Tacoma Puyallup area are great. I can recommend a local agent or two if you like.

[FoxyKnox]

Originally Posted by larrykcragun

Parts of the Tacoma Puyallup area are great. I can recommend a local agent or two if you like.

On this theme, One Canyon Place and Deer Creek apts are both quite nice, in a safe area off of Canyon Rd. and 112th. I think a 2 bd at Deer Creek is about $850. The area is very close to highway 512, so it's a good jump-off point to amenities and commutes. I don't know about schools in the area though. It's probably Franklin Pierce SD, and I have no idea what their elementaries are like.

[ShariSez]

There is absolutely nothing wrong with the area 'south of 56th', in fact I think it's probably better than the area between 38th and 56th. Newer homes with actual driveways and garages, sidewalks, more grocery stores and less petty crime. I've lived in an area just north or Lake Wapato for 13 years and the biggest problem is the neighbor's kids parking halfway in our driveway.

I would however stay away from the Eastside up to about 72nd. That's why we moved after 16 years. And UP is very expensive.

[Luke9686]

North Tacoma. North of 6th Ave and west of Union. Even areas a little farther south of 6th and east of Union are ok.