The drive. Gig Harbor to seattle... (Tacoma, Bremerton: to buy, living in, buses)

[Vykki04]

Hello everyone! How's the weather out there? I can't wait to be out there ... the gray skies will take a little getting used to, but it's worth it! Nowhere's perfect (considering, in my opinion, everything else about GH, Washington is perfect).

So, we want to buy in Gig Harbor and my hubby has a job offer that makes good money in Seattle. Where we currently live, he has to drive 1 1/2+ hours to work each way, he wants something that isn't too excruicating out there. I'm still hopeful, this is a great job ... so I want to know from people out there, how is the commute from Gig Harbor to Seattle??
Thanks in advance.
*Vykki*

[Ira500]

Vykki,
A former co-worker of mine did that commute for many years. For him, the commute was a pain in the keister but worth it because he got to live in Gig Harbor, and for him it was an hour when everything was flowing smoothly, and 1 1/2 hrs+ when there was traffic.
Sometimes he did the drive "around" using 16 and I-5, other times he'd take the ferry from Southworth to West Seattle, which added time but less driving.

[Vykki04]

I'm so glad that this forum exists! I was under the impression from a few sites and such, that it was a 20 to 25 minute drive to Bremerton where he'd board a ferry and I wasn't sure about the timing on the ferry, but it would take him to Seattle. Hahaha. It's a good thing I checked on here, thanks Ira! So, from GH ... do you drive through Tacoma to get to Seattle?
Thanks in advance!
*Vykki*

[vette-dude]

I made that commute for 8 years, and well; just glad I'm retired now...The traffic on I-5 in the am is similar to a parking lot near the Tacoma Dome and again in Tukwilla, and in the evening it can be worse if you are in the commute in the 5:00 to 7:00 window...Have you considered living in a city in King county to help with the commute such as kent? Good Luck on your move and life in Washington

[Vykki04]

We haven't thought about living anywhere but Gig Harbor except for a few days where we considered Port Orchard or Bremerton (because it seemed cheaper), then we decided to stick to GH. I have a friend that lives in GH now, so I get all the scoop and it seems to be the "Perfect town" I have talked about for years, the place I dream of raising my children. Now, it's the jobs we have to figure out. Is Gig Harbor, in general, a hard place to live and find work near by?
Thanks again!

[Ira500]

The Bremerton ferry to Seattle to takes an hour.

[wildmaven]

Originally Posted by Vykki04

Is Gig Harbor, in general, a hard place to live and find work near by?
Thanks again!

It depends on the profession. Think long and hard about this commute. You may think it'll be ok now, but after doing it for a while, any long commute gets to be a chore. If you're going to be raising children, consider that commute time as time away from the family, too. Why live in a "family friendly" town when you're never going to be home.

[mthomson]

Are folks taking into account the new bridge and the new HWY 16-I5 interchange? The bridge has eliminated traffic on the 16, and the interchange (when complete) will greatly open up that bottle neck.
From my office in North Gig Harbor, it takes me 55 minutes to get to SafeCo Field in South Seattle. I drove from GH to the Space Needle last night at about 6 and it took about 70min.
Don't forget that there's also van pool, buses, and train that you can do for cheap, gives you car pool the whole way, and allows you to work while you commute.
During peak work hours, you'll be 1-1 1/2 hours. Depends where in Gig Harbor as well. Some places take 2 min to the bridge, others take 25 (Fox Island, Pt Richmond, etc).

[garciah89]

the drive is fine I have family in gig harbor and they have drove me to Seattle many times and it went buy fast it only seemed to be 40 mins but it does depend on how he roads are well hope this helps