Best/Worst places in Washington (Seattle, Tacoma: high crime, income, place to live)

[Caffreys]

I think Vancouver area is one of the best places to live in Washington. Especially the eastern part of Vancouver like Fishers Landing, Felida, Salmon Creek, and the city of Camas. Schools are outstanding and great low crime with friendly people. I personally feel the traffic is brutal in Pierce and King counties, especially the 405, and I-5 from seattle to Lynnwood. Just my two cent.

[ness]

I only know western WA. I have very specific and personal taste, as I'm sure most people do. So....my criteria were probably different from others. I'll tell you something about myself so you understand where I'm coming from.
Born in Los Angeles, but have lived in Northern California. DH works for REI so he has many options if we move to WA. Currently live in the Pasadena area of SoCal, but looking to move to someplace where its not such a financial strain for housing. DOn;t have kids yet but would essentially be moving so we can afford to have them so shcools and safety and a yard are important to us. My criteria when looking for places was that I wanted something
1. near water
2. low crime
3. great schools
4. walkable downtown with great character (translation--must have historic bldgs.)
5. no Wal-Mart nearby
6. upscale, but liberal/bohemian feel
7. short commute to Tacoma

In the end I ended up with two-three top choices
1. Gig Harbor
2. Ruston (love prox. to Pt. Defiance etc. but not crazy about soil contam. problem and smaller lots for the houses)
3. Steilacoom (bottom of the list b/c of the schools not being that great but LOVED the downtown)

If I didn't have #7 close commute to Tacoma as one of my criteria I would have obviously ended up with a different list. Some of my all-time favorite places in WA are Port Townsend and Whidbey Island. Port Townsend seems like the most perfect place with its historic downtown, close to water, great character homes, rural but not out in the sticks feeling....but that's just my personal preferences. I worked on the house at Ebey's Landing for a few weeks over one summer and the beauty of that place really grabbed me, but I think the area might be too rural for year round living.

I sort of immediately ruled out the eastside and places near Seattle b/c I'd be moving to WA to try and escape traffic (SoCal has alot of it) and a slower pace of life and those areas seem to have a traffic problem. Also....I like the option of visiting Seattle a couple times a month, but don't want to live in that urban a setting with kids.

[cobolt]

I hate to tell you this, but the soil contamination is not limited to the Ruston area. Yes, it may have a higher concentration due to close proximity, but all the following areas are affected: Gig Harbor, Steilacoom, University Place, Dupont, Lakewood---good grief, there is a commerical on tv that highlights these areas and talks about not wearing shoes in the house so as to not track the stuff in the house, being mindful of children playing in the dirt, people are advised to use elevated garden beds.

[ness]

Originally Posted by cobolt

I hate to tell you this, but the soil contamination is not limited to the Ruston area. Yes, it may have a higher concentration due to close proximity, but all the following areas are affected: Gig Harbor, Steilacoom, University Place, Dupont, Lakewood---good grief, there is a commerical on tv that highlights these areas and talks about not wearing shoes in the house so as to not track the stuff in the house, being mindful of children playing in the dirt, people are advised to use elevated garden beds.

With Ruston the issue concerns me more than with the other areas b/c that is where the contamination originated and therefore the strongest concentration and most affected, etc. I HAVE done a ton of research on the topic and it's my understanding that only certain parts of Gig Harbor are affected (and not that bad), but that all the areas south of Ruston are affected (including Steilacoom). They have a map online somewhere that shows the areas affected and the degree to which it affects them.

[sean98125]

Vashon Island also has significant contamination because the prevailing winds carried the pollution to the north.

[stingray427]

How About The Custer Area Or What Com County? How Is The Crime Rate Up There? Is It A Nice Place To Live?

[chitty]

Originally Posted by faulkton

yeah, or if you know the person is ghetto and would fit in

seriously..after moving away from Washington I really don't think people up there know what ghetto means. A lot of the crime is isolated.

[chitty]

Originally Posted by stingray427

How About The Custer Area Or What Com County? How Is The Crime Rate Up There? Is It A Nice Place To Live?

that area is very nice and would be fine to live in..plus you'll be closer to Canada.

[Fat Freddy]

Originally Posted by chitty

seriously..after moving away from Washington I really don't think people up there know what ghetto means. A lot of the crime is isolated.

I agree.

Most large cities have low income areas and areas of ethnic concentration but that doesn't mean they are "Ghetto".

South Central LA is Ghetto.
Hunter's Point, San Francisco is Ghetto.
Central Oakland, CA is Ghetto.
Detroit is Ghetto.

Many large cities across the country have areas that are Ghettos, but I have never seen any place in Washington, including the worst parts of Seattle that would qualify.

[chris]

I haven't been through Rainer Vally/Beacon hill in about 3 years, but I do remember that area was definitely ghetto 3 years ago.

The city must have cleaned it up like they did Seatac/Des Moines.