Where to live near Tacoma? (Seattle, Federal Way: best neighborhoods, high crime, mortgages)

[magrack]

.... Did you live on the East side? I remember my mother raised me at 35th and McKinley ....

No, I lived near Wapato Park.

I did own a rental house near 34th and Portland for a number of years, so I have some specific insight to the problems in the area beyond that of just a casual observer.

Had some great renters and a couple of bad renters, just like anybody who rents out a house.

Screening renters taught me a lot.

I bought it from a widower who was retiring to a warmer place and he financed it himself at a point and a half below the going rate and I only put 1000 down on it.

I sold it after 11 years at a tidy profit and having the renters pay for it.

I would have ocassion to drive by it or work in the area for the next 8 years and observed that it was either well maintained or a little "junky", depending on who the current renters were, just like when I owned it.

[ndr64]

I have been reading all of these postings and am getting kinda nervous about moving to Tacoma. My girlfriend is in the Army, she will have an early morning commute to work and possibly late nights as she is a medical resident. I would like to find a nice, safe place to live, relatively close to the base (15-20 minute commute), so I feel a little better when she is leaving or coming home. I have been looking in Fircrest, Dupont, Steilacoom, and Lacey. Does anybody have any suggestions?? Thanks

[magrack]

Buying or renting?

Budget?

[ndr64]

Renting, probably between $800 - 1000 per month. Could go a little higher if absolutely necessary.

[magrack]

Stay away from any of the apartments/houses immediately adjacent to any of the gates of FL/McChord AFB.

Period.

Lacy has many nice apartments in your price range. Many military people choose to live there, not too bad a commute.

[ndr64]

How bad is the commute from Gig Harbor to Tacoma/Ft. Lewis. I have seen lots of good thing about that area??

[magrack]

Pretty bad now, but they will be opening a new bridge (toll) sooner or later (four months behind schedule as of right now).

There are apartments/homes for rent in the area, but not near as many as in the urban area on the east side of the sound, and tend to be a little pricier.

[ndr64]

If you had to make a suggestion, other than Lacey of course, what would be an ideal location to live. There is a good chance that i may be working in seattle and with her at ft. lewis. also how is the light rail from tacoma to seattle. i really appreciate your help!!!

[ndr64]

I have also heard good things about Browns Point, how is the commute to Ft. Lewis?

[magrack]

Originally Posted by ndr64

If you had to make a suggestion, other than Lacey of course, what would be an ideal location to live. There is a good chance that i may be working in seattle and with her at ft. lewis. also how is the light rail from tacoma to seattle. i really appreciate your help!!!

No light rail Between SEA and TAC, in fact there was going to be a 4.5 mile gap in the system as it was going to terminate in Fife, but it looks as though somebody got their heads out of the dark place and decided to run it down to the T-Dome, but that's years away.

Park and Rides or car is about your only choices for now.

Not Lacy...hmmm.

Fife, or Milton for easy access to highway, spots in Tacoma.

Avoid the apartment complexes around the Drake Apartments (So 96th and Hosmer) in Tacoma.