Moving to Fort Lewis... (Tacoma, Lakewood: sales, 2009, foreclosure)

[cobolt]

I personally feel like Federal Way, although it's a bit closer to Seattle, is more sprawlish and not really urban. I think he'd do better in N Tacoma and there are some really nice places to live there. It isn't as upbeat or busy as Seattle, but he would have that urban feel in a good area with a doable commute to the Fort and then maybe a 30 minute drive up to Seattle on the weekends.

[1armymom]

Thanks--that kind of confirms my feelings. We live on Capital Hill, so a suburban feeling is not his taste.

[cobolt]

Originally Posted by 1armymom

Thanks--that kind of confirms my feelings. We live on Capital Hill, so a suburban feeling is not his taste.

Well I personally don't think N Tacoma is a bustling as Capitol Hill. I'd say do the field trip thing and once he feels out different areas, he'll know. I just think, with his requirements, he'd be bored in Federal Way.

[fallfanatic]

Originally Posted by rissaib

I have been contacting all the chamber of commerce surrounding the base and i am thinking that Lakewood looks nice for the next couple of years.. anybody have any different information? coming from VA i am just nervous about the rain!

Hi lprodrig... and... Hi rissaib...(Sorry, I don't know how to multi quote...)
We are currently stationed at Fort Lewis. We live in Lakewood, and have been here for 2yrs. I like the area that I am in, however I have been told that Lakewood in general is not a great area. There are parts that are fine, and parts you need to stay out of. Problem is I can't really tell you what those areas are. We are closer to Stelicoom which I guess is why we haven't had any trouble. I homeschool my older kids because I wasn't very pleased with the schools here or in Washington in general. We have friends who live in Lacy, University Place and Dupont and they all seem quite happy in those areas. Personally if we could have gotten base housing that's were we would have been. It does rain here alot, but it really doesn't bother me. The only time it becomes a problem is about May when my children start bouncing off the walls because they've been couped up in the house since October...
I hope I was able to help some.

[fallfanatic]

Originally Posted by lprodrig

Hi everyone,

We are relocating to Fort Lewis in august/Sept 08... I'm looking for some information on areas to live and good schools. My husband will be at Fort Lewis, but i'll be working in Tacoma-downtown. I'm a soon to be license architect and will be looking for a job. We have a 4yr old daughter and we are looking for a good/safe/nice area to live. I need to check on Pre-k schools. I've read about DuPont area, and we will be renting a house/ condo. I'm not sure what schools are like or how much time it will take for me or my husband to commute to work. I need help!!!... we are relocating from Georgia!!!

Are you against living on base? I'm asking becase, first the cost of living up here is really high. Our housing allowance doesn't even cover our rent, utilities, garbage pick up etc... If we could have gotten base housing we would have. Plus the schools on base are good. Ft. Lewis is a nice base in my opinion. The housing is fine, nothing spectacular, but nice. They also include trash, & utilities, up to a certain dollar amount. Also, you have the added security of being on base. If you are going to be shopping there you might want to factor in the drive time to and from vs. being on base. (Especially with the cost of gas now. ) Just a thought....
BTW, we could not get housing there because we are required to have a five bedroom and those were (and sill are) on an indefinite waiting list. Most people don't have that kind of requirement, so housing isn't usually a problem at Ft. Lewis.

[rissaib]

Originally Posted by fallfanatic

Are you against living on base? I'm asking becase, first the cost of living up here is really high. Our housing allowance doesn't even cover our rent, utilities, garbage pick up etc... If we could have gotten base housing we would have. Plus the schools on base are good. Ft. Lewis is a nice base in my opinion. The housing is fine, nothing spectacular, but nice. They also include trash, & utilities, up to a certain dollar amount. Also, you have the added security of being on base. If you are going to be shopping there you might want to factor in the drive time to and from vs. being on base. (Especially with the cost of gas now. ) Just a thought....
BTW, we could not get housing there because we are required to have a five bedroom and those were (and sill are) on an indefinite waiting list. Most people don't have that kind of requirement, so housing isn't usually a problem at Ft. Lewis.

hey! thanks for the input. we are looking into base housing because of convenience and money after i did some checking around, but,yep, there is usually a wait list so..im just trying to get prepared. my husband arrived in WA last night so... we will see what options are available. we may have to short term rent. we have a 22 month old so we can go 2 or 3 bedroom. thanks tho,since your house is already full when it rains will one more cramp you!!!! hahah i am sure i will adjust...i have to adjust...just an odd thought of that much rain fall!!!

[Darell and Judy]

We have a brand new home in Clearwood Community in Yelm.We are finishing up the Landscaping and a few other things that we wanted to do. We are planning on renting the house out. There are lots of Military in Clearwood. Clearwood is a gated community with a pool, recreation, and several beaches with boat launch's to Clear Lake.The house is 2300 sq. feet. 4 bedrooms and a bonus room and 3 full baths.Stainless steel appliances and a heat pump with air conditioning.It's a nice home on a corner lot. We would need refrences and non-smokers.The house will be ready for move in on August 1st.We have not advertised yet.Let us know if you are interested in finding out more.

[rissaib]

Originally Posted by Darell and Judy

We have a brand new home in Clearwood Community in Yelm.We are finishing up the Landscaping and a few other things that we wanted to do. We are planning on renting the house out. There are lots of Military in Clearwood. Clearwood is a gated community with a pool, recreation, and several beaches with boat launch's to Clear Lake.The house is 2300 sq. feet. 4 bedrooms and a bonus room and 3 full baths.Stainless steel appliances and a heat pump with air conditioning.It's a nice home on a corner lot. We would need refrences and non-smokers.The house will be ready for move in on August 1st.We have not advertised yet.Let us know if you are interested in finding out more.

that would be great! email me with more info if your still interested. jasnrissa@aol.com. thanks again, terissa

[monster_bugs]

We too will be moving to Fort Lewis in September. We were at Fort Bragg for 3 years and LOVED it, but now my husband is in school at Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio and will be completing his residency at Madigan on Fort Lewis. We don't qualify for post housing because his orders are only for 9 months. We have 2 elementary school age children and I'm pregnant with our third. We've learned from being in San Antonio that BAH doesn't cover near as much as it needs to, and with my husband being an E5, we haven't reached that crucial jump to senior enlisted BAH yet. A friend of his suggested Spanaway, but I haven't found much promising information about it online. Some say it's great, others say we could do much better. We're looking for good schools and a family friendly neighborhood with affordable housing. Would love some info from local moms or other military moms familiar with the area! Thanks!

[cobolt]

Why are so many people against living on base? With the cost of living the way it is up here, and terribly sketchy areas such as Spanaway, Lakewood, etc, why would you NOT live on base? Ft Lewis is beautiful. And, as another poster said, you have the added security of living on base. With the amount of petty theft crimes, stolen cars, vandalism, plus not having to deal with traffic, living on base would be a no-brainer for me.