Gig Harbor to Tukwila (Seattle, Tacoma: house, movie theater, YMCA)

[traciann9]

My husband is going to be working in Tukwila-moving from out of state- and Gig harbor seems like a dream!!! My main question is:

*****How is the commute from Tukwila to Gig Harbor?****

Other questions I have are:

1. We're looking for a house $400,000 or under... can we find it there?

2. How are the schools?

3. What is the toll system for the bridge?

4. Are there a decent amount of activities (for kids), services (grocery stores, hardware, etc) or is it necessary to go elsewhere for the majority of that type of thing?

5. Any other things we should know that would be important?

Thank you for any insight you can provide!

[NoLoveLost]

Originally Posted by traciann9

My husband is going to be working in Tukwila-moving from out of state- and Gig harbor seems like a dream!!! My main question is:

*****How is the commute from Tukwila to Gig Harbor?****

well it will be a commute. I5 heading north can be bad sometimes with traffic or of there is an accident be ready to be there a while. My DH use to commute to Seattle from Gig Harbor, and it was anywhere from 1 1/2 hours to 2 hours depending on the time of day. he finally got fed up with it and changed jobs.

Originally Posted by traciann9

Other questions I have are:

1. We're looking for a house $400,000 or under... can we find it there?

yeah you can find a house in Gig Harbor under $400.00

Originally Posted by traciann9

2. How are the schools?

If you are talking the regular school system, from what I know it's ok. Special needs, and you are talking a whole lot of bad.

Originally Posted by traciann9

3. What is the toll system for the bridge?

You can pay each time, or you can get a "good to go" pass which is much more convenient.

Originally Posted by traciann9

4. Are there a decent amount of activities (for kids), services (grocery stores, hardware, etc) or is it necessary to go elsewhere for the majority of that type of thing?

Basic necessities yes, there are, activities for kids I think are a bit more limited. Seems kids around here get bored. But Tacoma is just across the bridge, so it isn't that far to find fun

Originally Posted by traciann9

5. Any other things we should know that would be important?

Gig Harbor is a fairly quite place in my opinion. Over all I think it is a great place to live.

[cobolt]

Gig Harbor is great but I don't think I'd want to commute to Tukwila.

[traciann]

would commuting to Tukwila be any better than someone who has to commute into Seattle itself? NoLoveLost, you mention that your husband had a 1 1/2 - 2 hr commute depending on traffic- would my husband fare any better from Tukwila, or would we be talking about just about the same thing (like could I shave some time off my husband's commute compared to your husband's, or would it be about equally as gruesome lol??) ?? 30-45 minutes we're good with but when we start going an hr and beyond.... that is a bit much for us. I guess that's what I'm trying to figure out here.

If thumbs down, are there areas with similar areas to Gig Harbor in the same price range with good schools and a decent commute that you might recommend we look into??

[NoLoveLost]

Originally Posted by traciann

would commuting to Tukwila be any better than someone who has to commute into Seattle itself? NoLoveLost, you mention that your husband had a 1 1/2 - 2 hr commute depending on traffic- would my husband fare any better from Tukwila, or would we be talking about just about the same thing (like could I shave some time off my husband's commute compared to your husband's, or would it be about equally as gruesome lol??) ?? 30-45 minutes we're good with but when we start going an hr and beyond.... that is a bit much for us. I guess that's what I'm trying to figure out here.

If thumbs down, are there areas with similar areas to Gig Harbor in the same price range with good schools and a decent commute that you might recommend we look into??

Tukwila isn't quite as far as Seattle, but the commute is still a long one. Personally if he travels at commuter hours you are far better off moving somewhere closer to Tukwila.

I'm not sure what the area is like up that way. I live in Gig Harbor, and prior to that was in Lacey and Ft. Lewis so I wouldn't know. But there seem to be a lot of people here from all around Wash so I'm sure there are a few who can give you some direction as far as cities in that area and what they are like

[traciann]

Thanks! I appreciate your help!!

[NoLoveLost]

Originally Posted by traciann

Thanks! I appreciate your help!!

You're welcome

[mthomson]

My wife commutes to SeaTac, a few miles closer to GH than Tukwilla. Takes her about 35-50min in the carpool lane. Not a bad commute at all.
Lots of good homes under $400k.
Peninsula School District is very highly rated. One article in the newspaper said it was ranked #2 behind Bellevue...using test scores, class size, teacher experience level, etc. Not sure why the special needs was called bad by an earlier poster...I've got 2 different clients with Autisitc kids, and they've been thrilled with the attn they've gotten here.
Bridge is a one-way toll, $2.75 if you've got the pass (which you should have) $3.75 if you pay cash. It is subject to change, so it won't be that way forever (it'll go up).
The new YMCA has so many kids' activities you can't begin to count them...all included with their basic membership. Brand new huge movie theater opened up as well. Great youth groups through the local churches, too.
Hope that helps some.

[NoLoveLost]

Originally Posted by mthomson

Not sure why the special needs was called bad by an earlier poster...I've got 2 different clients with Autisitc kids, and they've been thrilled with the attn they've gotten here.

Well you must not pay much attention to the news:

The News Tribune (Lite) - Peninsula parents balk at move

considering this went on for 8 months and the children of this program were pretty much raped of all the services they should be getting, I'd say this school district is a **** poor place for children who have special needs.

[traciann]

mthompson, thanks so much for your post. Are there particular areas of Gig Harbor that you would focus on or avoid? Any other words of wisdom?? Appreciate it!!