Where to live near Tacoma? (Federal Way, Lakewood: apartment complex, low crime, homes)

[MANDOLIN]

Do not rule out Browns Point. I personally would not want to live in Federal Way or Tacoma. Check out an area between the two called Browns Point, located in N.E. Tacoma. We love it here! It feels like a small town in the midst of a big town. There are beaches, parks and a little town centre super close. The crims is super low, i feel safe walking around the neighborhood with my kids. We are a block from Browns Point Elem. On www.greatschools.com it received a 9 out of 10. Before you rule out Tacoma, give this area a chance.

[MANDOLIN]

Originally Posted by ndr64

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

It would take you about 30 min. to get to Ft. Lewis...that is without traffic. Not sure how much that could add on. There is a great little port road that can take you right off I-5 at city center in Tacoma. It will take you right up to Browns Point and it never has much traffic on it. I really liked Lacey, but when looking to live there we check out the police website and there are a TON of molesters that live in that area. I'm sure there are some good sections though, it looks like a cute town. Definitely give Browns Point a chance, i guarentee you'll love it. I'm picky on where I live, especially now with kids. This area is one of the best neighborhoods i've ever lived in.

[T-Town For Now]

You should live in the north end. South of 6th Ave all the way to south 15th is a nice area too. Good eats are around, fun things to do, Stadium high school just reopened. I have lived here for a short time and i have adjusted comfortably. The weather could be better but if you are coming from Chicago this is definately not all that bad.

[AZ_singlemother]

Stay dumb is alright (sorry, the school is my rival). Happens to be a 9 rating as well as Browns Pointe; however, the other schools in Tacoma? 1s 2s and 3s. Have to be extremely careful who your kids hang out with too. Ton's of really bad influence.

I agree with Mandolin, just check the greatschool.com ratings and be extremely careful where you move your kids to.

[triselmore]

The toll's won't last forevor, and there is plenty to keep you on the Harbor's side of the bridge which could enable you to pay fewer tolls.
I am from there and absolutely loved living there. Now I live in the Tri-Cities (Richland, Pasco, Kennewick-I live in South Richland) and many of my friends are trying to move here from the West side as it is the fastest growng place in the Northwest-and beautiful too! Try looking for homes here on Realtor.com and see what you get for the money. You could afford a huge mansion in a private community with how much you want to spend.The schools are also amazing with a gifted program, too. You might seriously want to check this place out. The cost of living is 30% less than the West side and pay is only 3% less on average. It is paradise and I love raising my family here. Just 3 hours to Seattle and 15 mins. to tax free shopping in Oregon. Tons of son, too-hardly any rain at all!
Water parks close by, 3 rivers, tons of recreational fun and very family friendly. They are very big on kids sports here, too.
Just a thought. Otherwise, you will love Gig Harbor, or possibly Steilacoom if you want a similar feel w/out bridge tolls. North Tacoma by U.P.S. is also nice, or down by the water by Stadium High school.
Good luck!

[NorthTacomaJoe]

I would agree with The North end of Tacoma. It's the only place down south that gives me that Seattle Ballard-like feeling without the high cost. I live Between Proctor District and Point Defiance. The traffic is very minimal at anytime of the day. Point Defiance is near if I want to walk the beach, go for a 5 mile bike ride or visit the newly renovated zoo. I've lived here for 3 years
and I think it's a gem.

[fairweathergolfer]

I love that area. Are they still holding the Taste of Tacoma out there? It does have a great feel to it and you are so right it definitely has that Seattle Ballard look to it.

Tacoma is so interesting in that it has some really amazing areas that are a joy to spend time in and live and others, not so much. I have not been there in awhile though and wonder if the neighborhoods and housing in some of the more 'challenging' areas have seen some gentrification. With the high and ever rising housing prices in Seattle and now Portland, I would think Tacoma would offer a lot to anyone that can't or won't break their back for those ever climbing mortgages. Olympia is nice too, but small.

Originally Posted by NorthTacomaJoe

I would agree with The North end of Tacoma. It's the only place down south that gives me that Seattle Ballard-like feeling without the high cost. I live Between Proctor District and Point Defiance. The traffic is very minimal at anytime of the day. Point Defiance is near if I want to walk the beach, go for a 5 mile bike ride or visit the newly renovated zoo. I've lived here for 3 years
and I think it's a gem.

[cobolt]

Yes N Tacoma (Proctor District/PT Defiance) is nice. I used to live in UP, but I moved closer to the Steilacoom/Dupont/Lacey area recently. Areas in UP are congested and crime is spotty. Area around TCC (Tacoma Community College) seems to be getting worse every year. I work in Lakewood (unfortunately) but I don't have to deal with I-5---can take side streets all the way to work. Shopping is on the way home in Lakewood or UP. Not much infrastructure in Steilacoom---it's more of a retirement community although there are military and families here. On the whole it's much quieter and safer than UP. My boss lives in Gig Harbor and does the bridge commute. He says since the opening of the bridge, the commute is a 'dream. He drives right on through---no back ups---no stops. OF course, he also doesn't come into work until 10am, so I'm not sure how valid his statement is. Fircrest is nice as far as living, but your shopping will probably be done in UP, as much like Steilacoom, there just isn't the infrastructure (commerce)--they are more residential areas than self-contained towns.

Cobolt

[ness]

Originally Posted by cobolt

Yes N Tacoma (Proctor District/PT Defiance) is nice. I used to live in UP, but I moved closer to the Steilacoom/Dupont/Lacey area recently. Areas in UP are congested and crime is spotty. Area around TCC (Tacoma Community College) seems to be getting worse every year. I work in Lakewood (unfortunately) but I don't have to deal with I-5---can take side streets all the way to work. Shopping is on the way home in Lakewood or UP. Not much infrastructure in Steilacoom---it's more of a retirement community although there are military and families here. On the whole it's much quieter and safer than UP. My boss lives in Gig Harbor and does the bridge commute. He says since the opening of the bridge, the commute is a 'dream. He drives right on through---no back ups---no stops. OF course, he also doesn't come into work until 10am, so I'm not sure how valid his statement is. Fircrest is nice as far as living, but your shopping will probably be done in UP, as much like Steilacoom, there just isn't the infrastructure (commerce)--they are more residential areas than self-contained towns.

Cobolt

Just got back from visiting friends in Gig Harbor and also checked out Steilacoom, UP, Titlow Beach area, Ruston, etc. while we were there. Here are my impressions (being an outsider):
Gig Harbor: great for families, beautiful scenery, more upscale housing, upper-middle class feel, not a bad commute (as long as you're not too far out into county area). we timed it from friend's house in Gig Harbor to Tacoma and it was about 14 mins. without traffic (not bad). Really like that it is not as affected by the soil contamination that is a factorin other south sound areas, especially Ruston.
UP: more shopping opportunities, a bit more crowded than Gig Harbor and seemed more blue collar, housing had a bigger range from stuff that felt "cheap" to nicer areas. liked the areas near water near the golf course etc. b/c they felt more upscale. good deals on housing compared to Gig Harbor and Steilacoom. didn't like that there isn't really a charming and walkable downtown like in Gig Harbor or Steilacoom.
Steilacoom: beautiful, and very Washington feeling, love the park area by the water and the historic downtown, loved the feel of this place, but wasn't sure about the school system situation (friend whose a teacher said they have combined grades cause its so small). train runs through town down by the water and has a loud horn, but didn't think that was a big deal....just something to know about.
Titlow Beach area: nice enough, liked area down by the water, again some concern about it being in Tacoma school district. saw a decent house with water view for under $400,000 so liked that aspect.
Ruston/N Tacoma: ranged from feeling very nice to not so nice depending on where you were. Ate at an adorable sandwich place and liked the bohemian feel of the area. downsides: soil contamination, some streets/areas felt a bit junky, smaller lot sizes, not sure about schools. big upside: proximity to point defiance park and zoo (which are great!).

[newbie2Tacoma]

I would be very careful about where you live in the South Sound. We moved to a "safe" neighborhood. It is far from safe. Crime is under reported throughout Pierce County. Things are supposedly better than they used to be but even law enforcement will tell you that statistics are skewed. The thing that is wrong about this is it does not allow proper budget decisions. Tacoma gets Federal dollars so many local people feel that things heat up when money is needed. I am inclined to think that money is diverted into other things instead of safety and security. The problem with this plan is...you cannot attract families and professional people with a high crime rate. The comparisons that are made are not good comparisons because a very high level of crime is tolerated and this becomes the standard rather than the exception. I have lived in several large cities. Tacoma and Pierce County is by far the worst.