Tacoma??? (Seattle, Lakewood, Olympia: theater, university, to live)

[haggardhouseelf]

Originally Posted by ness

I can feel your pain. DH and I don't have kids yet, but we're considering the move to WA b/c we are anticipating the high cost of raising kids in LA. Not only is housing more expensive in LA...everything is more expensive. I don't think people from the outside really "get it" unless they've lived here. I want my kids to be able to go to public school (the ones here are pretty bad), be on a soccer team (without me having to sit in 2 hours of traffic to go 15 miles), go outside and play (without worrying about them breathing smog straight up). I want to be able to pay my mortage without both DH and I working full time and giving up 80% of our paychecks to live in 1,400 square feet. !!!! After 2+ weeks of 90 degree+ temps I am looking forward to some gray. = )

You will still have the traffic problems here as well as a high cost of living (big mortgage, little place, high property taxes, even utilities and groceries are expensive here...) but you will have better school depending on where you live (Mercer Island and Bellevue are probably the best public schools here) and also depending on where you live (Tacoma area air is really bad smelling and yucky and certain times of the year we call the Puget Sound the Putrid Sound because of the smell...) the air is better! Snoqualmie has a really good school system and is lots more affordable, an easy commute into Seattle if you need it and has a clean rural breathable air sort of feeling... have you checked it out?

[ness]

Originally Posted by haggardhouseelf

You will still have the traffic problems here as well as a high cost of living (big mortgage, little place, high property taxes, even utilities and groceries are expensive here...) but you will have better school depending on where you live (Mercer Island and Bellevue are probably the best public schools here) and also depending on where you live (Tacoma area air is really bad smelling and yucky and certain times of the year we call the Puget Sound the Putrid Sound because of the smell...) the air is better! Snoqualmie has a really good school system and is lots more affordable, an easy commute into Seattle if you need it and has a clean rural breathable air sort of feeling... have you checked it out?

We've pretty much settled on Gig Harbor...if we end up moving. DH would most likely be working in Tacoma....so we need to be somewhat near there. In researching Gig Harbor and spending time there I think it would really meet our needs. Good schools, nice house for under $450,000, pretty downtown, near the water, and doable commute to Tacoma.

[Muhnay]

I hear the TACOMA AROMA has been cleaned up. The City has addressed the smell the city has had for years. I understand its because of paper factories, and fisheries. Is this True, has the TACOMA AROMA really been dealt with? I may move to that area in a year or so.

[jjjmr02]

most of the time. There are days every now and then when it can still smell bad, although I've found it's usually that way mostly in the middle of the night.

[pirate_lafitte]

It might have a reputation for crime and violence but it can't compare to Flint,MI or Richmond,VA. Cities of similar size(Flint is smaller, and Richmond now has less people but both cities have more murders yearly than Tacoma.). I'm aware that Tacoma has some crime issues, Tacoma isn't nearly as violent as other cities.

[vnodak]

All I can say is that I would never live there. However, check out the stats as far as crime goes and other things. I would never live in Seattle either so their you go. I do live around the greater Eastside and love it. It all depends on what you want to be exposed too. Remember not to put your self in a position you may regret so research carefully and decide what is important to you. Good luck and I wish you well.

[vnodak]

Originally Posted by brandonjs

Yes, Tacoma is not the pristine city Seattle is. Any moron that has the ability of sight can drive up or down I-5, take just about any exit to Tacoma and Seattle and notice huge a difference in quality of life, living conditions, ect.

The economy and average income in seattle and tacoma are very different. For example we have the military bases and you have nice places such as Microsoft, Amazon, Boeing and others. Tacoma is a blue-collar/army town. These types of things make cities different.

Not everyone has the income to live in a money sucking place like Seattle, there are always people who can not afford it.

Seattle is not the center of the world, Seattle is the jewel of the northwest, lucky for you Tacoma is a great point of reference so you can reinforce what a grand city Seattle is. But why keep bringing it up? it makes you look insecure. There are plenty of other "crappy" towns in this state but you always insult Tacoma just because Tacoma is in close proximity of Seattle and its the third largest city in Washington you always pick on Tacoma to prove that you are better? in doing so repetitively you make yourselves look small minded and isolated.

Forget about Tacoma, Lets look at things with a broader perspective. At the world or national level Seattle is a rather small and unimpressive city. Yes its true, whether you realize it or not. Also there is nothing unusual about what Tacoma is or what happens here.

Seattle is a place for people with higher incomes, Tacoma is not. Not every person in this world has a high income, most people do not. Dont you know anything about the world you live in?
Tacoma is a crappy town but someone has to live there. There are many ****ty towns and people with lower income jobs in this country so just realize that, except it, suck on your lattes and shut the hell up!

I would not say Seattle is prestine---I would not say Tacoma is a crappy town----it is all a matter of what you want or not and their is always something worse or better. I do not live in either but do live in the area. What I would say is that your attitude sucks and not very helpfull to some one who needs objective opinions instead of subjective ones-----IMO>

[vnodak]

Originally Posted by jgw1283

Tacoma is awful, plain and simple. San Diego is heaven compared to Tacoma (and most everywhere else in my opinion ). The only place to live in WA is Bellevue/east side area, but thats over an hour away from UW-T. Tacoma is being overrun with dangerous ghetto folks with no standards. Also, there is no singles life in Tacoma. Most guys are dooshbags and the girls are a joke. Tacoma is one of the worst places I've ever been. The only "nice" part is near Staduim/"North end" but its old and slowly being overrun by awful people. Stay in SD

Wow---I sure do not agree with you that the only place to live is Bellvue. It is nice but you got to have alot of money. Their are alot of other nice places for us not so rich folks---or down to earth types. The comment about guys and girls that live their is uncalled for and just a reflection of the kind of person you are.

[Got2BMe74]

OK...so I'm in Tacoma now and guess what!?!?! I LOVE IT!!! It doesn't smell "funny" to me and the older neighborhood homes are quite charming. The narrow roads do keep cars from speeding recklessly down the streets and killing kids. I've heard there's a big drug problem, but don't really see it. I see people down on their luck, but they're not hassling anyone or begging every passing stranger for money. I think the sunlight/overcast transition that happens throughout and day to day is absolutely beautiful. There's really alot going on in nature here. I've even driven to Spokane to see a friend and loved every bit of natural beauty along the way. I can really empathize with the people born and raised here who are being impacted by the CA migration north. If you guys just stay the same and don't give into the metropolitan dollar...eventually the ones land grabbing and trying to mooch off of the citizens here will leave. LOL I love it!! The people are here are SO friendly and even though I've been here for almost two months - I still am in awe to see strangers passing eachother with a casual "Hey there!" or "Hi!". I can't go anywhere in public without being asked, "How are you?" by a passing stranger. This is just the small town way of life here and it has alot to offer. KUDOS to the PNW for diversity!!!! and you guys are proud of it...sporting every race/ethnic backgroud with pride without making an emphasis on one culture or another without making sure that everyone is appreciated for who they are. I know there is going to come a day when I have to return to SD for the long term for different reasons....but Lakewood/Tacoma/Renton/Kent/Des Moines and the surrounding areas have welcomed me with open arms and will forever be considered "home". I landed in Lakewood and it's not as bad as people say it is. It's seedy and still nothing like the middle class neighborhoods in SD. My kids STILL got to school there and they love it! We now live in Tacoma and like I said...Loving it! I work in Des Moines / Kent and the people are just as friendly as ever and I'm currently going to church in Kent. I have a sister that lives in Renton so I frequent that area's stores and shops and STILL am welcomed with open arms. Not to be ignored....Seattle is quite ritzy and if I every get homesick...I can just travel north to the hustle/bustle and posh attitudes. LOL Oh yeah....Bremerton is quite nice as well. Very very small town and homely...but just as calm and beautiful as ever. I went to church there once as well. Yep...I've pretty much been all over the place. Kudos to the PNW!

[ness]

glad you're enjoying WA. = ) wish i was there too. maybe soon.