Where to live in south/east Tacoma (Seattle, Lakewood: travel, house)

[magrack]

Oh, please.

True, I am not a native of WA, but I lived there for three decades and T-Town admits to being relatively new, but if you think our views have no value, you're fooling yourself.

I get it, you hate Tacoma.

Fine, but I have yet to see one positive post from you about it, which leads me to believe that your hatred blinds you to what good is there.

On a post in another thread, you were whining about the mayor and police department of Tacoma not cleaning up Parkland, an area in which they have no responsibilities or jurisdiction, and when I pointed that out to you, you ignored it.

IMO, that type of attitude is unhealthy.

I'll guess that regular readers of this forum have also noticed the one note song you sing, but are probably too polite to say anything.

I'm not.

It must suck to be you.

[Yac]

Guys, remember to remain calm and respect each other.
Yac.

[Rodeojones]

Originally Posted by AZ_singlemother

I am fed up with the Tacoma Police and mayor. It irritates me to visit my family in Parkland and to see drug activity going on next door, across the street, etc. Not to mention down the street, the next block. What the h...are the cops and the city doing? Joining them? They are not tough enough on crime. I am so fed up they are letting the city go to waste. Why not renovate, develop jobs, crack down on crime moreso than before, lock up criminals and throw away the keys, clean up, and fix the school systems, take kids away from drug addicted parents - hold them accountable and don't make the kids stay with them!

While I would share your frustrations with crime I would be carefull to cart blanche blame the Police. First of all...Parkland is the Pierce County Sheriff's Dept. jurisdiction, not TPD. While I appreciate your idealistic way of thinking, it is not that simple. We can all cast blame, bottom line it takes a community to fight crime, not just the Police. It takes parents instilling values in their children. It takes children to respect their parents and obey the laws. It takes Prosecutors and Judges to not only charge but penalize criminals when they do break the Law. I can't tell you how many times I have arrested a subject for a serious crime to have them out the very next day. The jails in Pierce County are overflowing and criminals are constantly being let out prior to the completion of their sentence.

My only word to you is instead of ranting of all the problems, try helping with a solution. You might be suprised how much you can do!

Back to the original posters question:

I reside in Puyallup and love it. Houses are getting more expensive and the area has really grown, but it is still A+. South of Puyallup is Graham and Eatonville. More rural but better bang for you buck. Bonney Lake is nice too.

[triselmore]

Wow, you guys are so serious!
I grew up in Gig Harbor just over the bridge from Tacoma. Of course I loved the Harbor and show it favor as I am from there but spent a lot of time in University Place in Tacoma which was always nice and down by the waterfront as well. I also lived in North Tacoma by UPS for years and absolutely loved it.
I did work at Nordstrom there in South Tacoma, though, and was pretty scared just walking to my car at night, but that was also the case when I lived in Costa Mesa, CA.
I don't think I would ever live in S. Tacoma, but I hear it is up and coming. I definitely wouldn't choose Puyallup tho, as that place will forever remain as one of the white trash capitals of Washington in my head-along with Renton, Kent, etc.. Old memories die hard, I guess.
I live in the Tri-cities now and am in love with it. It is like San Diego to me and the cost of living and family friendly environment is beyond measure.
So, if you must live in S. Tacoma, parts of Lakewood by American lake aren't too bad and Steilacoom is gorgeous.
Good luck!

[T-Town For Now]

Originally Posted by AZ_singlemother

It's a short-timer's perspective versus a native.

You sound pretty quick to judge there AZ_singlemother. I don't know how you can pretend that all these negative comments you give on Tacoma are anywhere near the truth. They are pretty exaggerated. I read all the comments from all of those who post and I agree with several of them whether they or negative or positive. I think its important to dissiminate accurate information especially when it comes to finding out about a location prior to moving there but geez, you make Tacoma sound like Basra on Meth. I am telling folks, out of personal experience and from someone who CURRENTLY resides in Tacoma (not AZ) that it is not NEARLY as bad as my friend AZ_singlemother claims.

[AZ_singlemother]

Originally Posted by T-Town For Now

You sound pretty quick to judge there AZ_singlemother. I don't know how you can pretend that all these negative comments you give on Tacoma are anywhere near the truth. They are pretty exaggerated. I read all the comments from all of those who post and I agree with several of them whether they or negative or positive. I think its important to dissiminate accurate information especially when it comes to finding out about a location prior to moving there but geez, you make Tacoma sound like Basra on Meth. I am telling folks, out of personal experience and from someone who CURRENTLY resides in Tacoma (not AZ) that it is not NEARLY as bad as my friend AZ_singlemother claims.

You live in the S District. Did you live all over in Tacoma/Spanaway/Lakewood/Fife/Northend? I only have the "Basra on Meth" perspective when I visit my family in Parkland/Spanaway and east side areas. Just to get away, I use at least 800 miles/per week on my car. I prefer to hang out in Federal Way, Lacey, Seattle areas with the others.

28 years of the BS is long enough to give me an idea. Just like I cannot speak for Arizona, because i've only been here for a few years.

I cannot go off on city data and say "oh my gosh, there's not that much crime in Phoenix". You Phoenix native must be exaggerating because I never experienced that in the few years i've been here. Get my drift?

[T-Town For Now]

I catch your drift AZsinglemom. I am just concerned that people who visit these forums may get the wrong idea based on your very opionated views. I originally came on here to see what others have to say about Tacoma and to get a better understanding of the surrounding areas but now I feel I have to visit the site to dispel much of the "trash" thats talked. I believe the point of this city-data is to get a reasonably accurate and maybe a slight opinion on any given town and not to strike fear and paranoia into those that read the postings.

[Randy@Tacoma]

I am new to this posting. But I would like to point out that AZ_singlemother is extremely negative. I am wondering if there is a reason your a "single mother?" Anywho... Tacoma is not bad! Like millions of others have said, Tacoma has its bad parts, yes like any city. Tacoma is sick of Seattle's bull$hit! We're tired of hearing seattle make constant fun of Tacoma, its B.S! Seattle is a world-class metropolis, yes, and Tacoma is not. Tacoma tried to be that way back, but didnt manage to succeed. But we dont have to traffic problems Seattle has, and were happy! I have lived in both Seattle and Tacoma. I love them both. I was born at the University of Washington Medical center in Seattle and lived in that lovely city for 12 years. And I have lived in Tacoma for 10 years. I am now moving south to Olympia to attend the Evergreen State College. I love what the Northwest has to offer. You should too! And if you dont, there's always Arizona. Enough said.

[honeyNUTichiros]

ATL...Don't get all your information from AZ_singlemother

I lived in Tacoma's North End/Old Town/Stadium District for all 23 years of my life and I have to tell you this area of the city is one of the most beautiful parts in the Western Washington region. I've never been robbed, gotten in a fight, mugged, burglarized, witnessed any of these, or arrested. Yes, Tacoma has had a bad past (the Hill Top area got a bad rep because of California gangbangers that moved up to the area in the late 80s/early90s) but a lot of that has been either cleaned up or the crime has been reduced. I should know, I went to McCarver elementary when I was younger and the area has made a huge turnaround.

I went to college at UW in Seattle and for what I can tell, every city that I've visited has crime. Seattle and places up North cannot hide from it either. I think much of the negativity directed towards Tacoma are from forum members who have only heard and never really been to Tacoma. Friends of mine that have come from the Bellevue/Redmond area really are surprised how nice some parts of Tacoma are.

Regarding your question, South Tacoma and the East Side do have a higher crime rate than other parts of the city and that might be why the prices there are cheaper. Are you planning on working in South Tacoma or Ft. Lewis? If you are looking for a "nicer" area near South Tacoma, you might want to check out University Place and maybe even the Dupont area. These areas are up and coming and have nice, although a tad bit spendy neighborhoods.

[MANDOLIN]

I have lived in WA state all of my life. I've lived in Bonney Lake, Kent, Burien and now N.E. Tacoma. By far this part of Tacoma is my favorite. Tacoma has had a bad rap for a while, but since things are getting more congested up North more people are heading this way for cheaper housing and less congestion. There still are areas in Tacoma that are not the best, but so many things have changed. I love the downtown area, there are so many new restaurants and new stores. My dad actually works for the city and is in charge of bringing new businesses into Tacoma. You will be amazed over the next few years how much the city will change. More new businesses will be coming in, and the old vacant buildings will be rehabbed. Though it's taking time Tacoma is really changing. I live in N.E. Tacoma across the water and it is one of the safest prettiest spots i've ever lived. It has a family friendly feel, great schools and it's clean. I also think that Tacoma's North End/Old Town/Stadium District also has some really beautful areas.
Any town is going to have a less desirable area so it's important you visit the town and talk to the locals to find out where those areas are and then make a choice for yourself. If you've got any other questions let me know.