Where to live near Tacoma? (Federal Way, Parkland: apartment, rent, crime)

[brightcopperkettles]

I think Gig Harbor is nice, but then I hate traffic, so I would vote for anywhere this side of the Puget Sound. You might also check out Port Orchard.

[nwraider]

Originally Posted by brightcopperkettles

I think Gig Harbor is nice, but then I hate traffic, so I would vote for anywhere this side of the Puget Sound. You might also check out Port Orchard.

Gotta agree on this statement. Only been here 2 1/2 years, so I'm not exactly an expert on the area, but anything on the other side of the Narrows bridge is gonna be a freakin nightmare, trafficwise. We found a nice house in Milton, which is just SW of Federal Way. Nice small town, great neighborhoods, and some really nice newer homes going up too. We're only about 10-15 minutes from downtown Tacoma, even in the mornings (most traffic is going north on I-5 towards Seattle in the AM- and to be honest, you can get to Tacoma from where we're at without even hitting a real freeway and still make good time). Edgewood is right next to us also, a little more rural, but you could probably get a place with a nice chunk of land, if that's what you're looking for. Newer homes are going up in Bonney Lake and Lake Tapps also. Nice areas both. And as far as the schools, we have no complaints whatsoever. Our daughter is in 4th grade (in the Fife School District) and she's doing great. And she's only got about 20 students in her class, as opposed to upwards of 30 she would have if we still lived in SoCal...
Check these places out, just to see if there's anything you might like.

[AZ_singlemother]

Originally Posted by kirstenleigh

My husband and I have been contemplating a move to Washington for a long time. It seems like the perfect place for us - we love nature and outdoorsy activities! We have friends in and near Tacoma so we're looking in that area. Schools are probably the most important factor, as we have 3 kids ranging in age from 9 months to 12 years. The school district we live in now is one of the best in Illinois, with test scores around 95% - we'd like to find something similar. We're also looking for a community with a small town feel, ideally with a downtown area of shopping and restaurants. Are there any suburbs like that near Tacoma? We're moving from the Chicago 'burbs, so we're used to bad weather, murderous commutes, and a high cost of living. Our price range is about $450k-$500k.

Any help is appreciated!

Tacoma school systems are the worst. See greatschools.com. They are as bad as bad areas in Florida and Phoenix is 2 times better. Crime is pretty high in Tacoma. The difference between Illinois and Tacoma is Illinois has bad areas and good areas. Tacoma - bad is all over. I grew up in Tacoma and lived in all sections of the city. It's not worth it.

Check out greatschools.com. This site helped me find the right community in Arizona and will help you in Washington. After 5 years in this city because of the ratings on the website, my children have had top quality education. Ratings of 10+++ versus Tacoma's 2s and 3s. Fortunetly, outside of Tacoma, crime reduces slightly.

Life in Tacoma: 10 car accidents - passenger at all times; in the middle of 2 driveby shootings (east side) involuntary gone to Christmas charity events; 2 attempted burgluries while home alone (east side and north end) - thank God they noticed I was home in time before entry; 1 car stolen (east side); car broken into (fife small safe town near Tacoma); every family member's home burglerized (Parkland/Spanaway - South Tacoma); robbed with sawed off shotgun while working (North end of Tacoma); etc.

North End and Fife are considered safe; however, notice above and things happen.

[faulkton]

Its seems you have terrible luck. I have a hard time believing your experiences are typical.

Also what parts of the north end did you actually live in? Judging from the other places you describe it sound like it might have been the least desirable parts right around 6th ave division street?

Also what type of people were you hanging out with? Being robbed so many times might indicate it was someone you knew, instead of random crime.

As for the schools, they aren't the best. I actually went to a private school.

[cobolt]

I moved to Tacoma about 2 years ago from Texas, however, I was born and raised in Chicago. THat being said, I do not feel very safe in Tacoma. I am not saying it is on the same crime scale as Chicago---that would be ridiculous, but being raised in a big city, I was surprised at how unsafe I feel here. I think there are very nice areas of Tacoma (Proctor district comes to mind although very pricy) and other areas of Tacoma, but I am rather surprised at the crime. I live in University Place and this place is crawling with thugs. I work in Lakewood and it, specifically South Tacoma Way, is a repository for hoodlums and prostitutes. There are areas of University Place that are very nice as are the towns of Steilacoom and Fircrest. I also like Dupont and feel rather safe there. I would really research Tacoma and its surrounding areas. Definately don't come out here in the blind. Make a trip and drive around. Talk to people. Gig Harbor is a wonderful place---in fact that whole area once you get over the Narrows Bridge is beautiful and certainly less congested than the Puget Sound area. Port Townsend is one of my favorite towns and I drive there frequently on weekends, but it is a good hour and a half drive. There are people who work in Tacoma and do the bridge commute, but it's a nightmare now and will only get worse in the future. I think it really comes down to asking yourself what you want. Puyallup is a good community and has well sought after schools. It is a bit congested because people are moving out there---lots of subdivisions. Hope this helps.

[recognize229]

We lived in Washington for 15 years and the most desirable area for me was Federal Way but the traffic is terrible. One place I would recommend for a professional family is a community called Lakeland Hills in Auburn Washington and it takes no more than 30 minutes to get to Tacoma or Seattle. I think lakeland hills has a website. Good Luck.

[klove1228]

We are looking to rent a home near McKinley Park in Tacoma. It seems like a nice area. Not a place where there is much through traffic. It is right between Rogers Park and McKinley Park. If anyone has any info on this specific area I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

[AZ_singlemother]

[quote=faulkton;439542]Its seems you have terrible luck. I have a hard time believing your experiences are typical.

***It's hard to believe until you see for yourself. My car insurance decreased $50/month when I moved to Phoenix. Normally rates increase here.

Also what parts of the north end did you actually live in? Judging from the other places you describe it sound like it might have been the least desirable parts right around 6th ave division street?

I lived all over. 35th and Orchard. 12th and Pearl Street hear 16 exit to Gig Harbor. It's apartment living...lots of neighbors with drug problems. I cannot even know my neighbors. Also you should not work in a grocery store. I was working at Payless Drugs at the time. Saturday afternoon, busy line. I was in charge of information...also checking customers. There was a robbery spree as usual.

Also what type of people were you hanging out with? Being robbed so many times might indicate it was someone you knew, instead of random crime.

Having neighbors with drug issues can pose a threat. Unfortunelty the drug problems are so high there in the city, there's no escape. Higher incidents of issues.

I was home alone with my newborn son when someone tried to kick down my door. Fortunetly He ran away when I yelled at the door - w/o opening of course. Police thinks he has the wrong apartment - there's so much crime in apartments anywhere in Tacoma and other surrounding cities.

The other attempted burglary occurred when I was 12. It was on the east side of Tacoma. Attempted home invasion.

Being in the middle of a drive by shooting can occur anywhere. I was involved in the International Club in highschool. We were putting together a Christmas party for other ethnicities. Everyone I was with were honor students and would not harm a flea. It was at a East side community center. We were momentarily outside and a van drove by shooting. We had to duck immediately. Fortunelty no one was killed, but someone did get shot

These are typical things which can occur in Tacoma. You have to be extremely careful there. I know old school mates who were unfortunelty killed. One was killed while playing video games in his room. It was a spree with the Hilltop drive bys.

Auto theft, car jacking, and breakins are common. My uncle who is a business owner in Puyallup was shot while walking out when his truck was being stolen. He was not smart by trying to fight off the thief and was shot. Fortunetly only in the arm and is doing well.

What scares people from out of state is the common question:

What areas are safe and what areas are bad? New York and Chicago have their "areas". Tacoma does not.

I have learned a valuable lesson from 28years in the area, from Spanaway to Fircrest (although I do love their elementary school), I would never raise my kids in Tacoma.

[AZ_singlemother]

Originally Posted by klove1228

We are looking to rent a home near McKinley Park in Tacoma. It seems like a nice area. Not a place where there is much through traffic. It is right between Rogers Park and McKinley Park. If anyone has any info on this specific area I'd appreciate it. Thanks!

---You are talking about the East side where I grew up as a kid. Most parents are crack heads, there are pimps in the neighborhood. This is the worst place to live by far! People flock in because it's cheap but it is cheap for a reason. If you decide to move to "blood" territory, you better adapt to their way of life. No one is good in that neighborhood. Take it from someone who had to live there as a child and had 11 year old classmates who began their lives in prostitution. Kids initiated in gangs at that age are now basically dead. I had no association with anyone there and escaped to a North end high school. Still am not happy with my mother for raising me there.

[klove1228]

AZ,
Wow thanks for the reply. I WILL take that into great consideration. Especially since my daughter is 8 yrs old. I'm starting to think Dupont or maybe Fircrest. Gig Harbor was a choice but the traffic and toll bridge don't seem worth it.