Military family moving to Ft. Lewis, WA, but where? (Seattle: real estate, 2009)

[amkilbride]

My husband is PCSing to Ft. Lewis, WA and we have been debating whether to buy or rent a house. Of course, the school system is the most important thing to consider b/c we have 2 small children. How do you know where to live when you have never been to that area? We have looked up some of the schools ratings, but it is a bit overwhelming. Can someone recommend a good county to move to and/or a school.

Thanks!

[allforcats]

Hi. Buying real estate right now can be tricky, given the jittery business economy. Also, since you apparently don't know anything about the area, if you purchase a home and hate it or the location, you're stuck with a huge financial anchor. On this forum, we usually advise newcomers to plan to rent for at least six months, to give yourselves time and space to learn, research, feel out areas and find out what you like.

Many knowledgeable people suggest Steilacoom. For tons of stats about the city, check City-Data.com's Steilacoom page.

There are many, many threads on this WA forum about moving to Ft. Lewis, with useful info provided by locals. You can scroll through the WA pages and come up with dozens of threads. Here's an informative start::
http://www.city-data.com/forum/washi...y-schools.html
http://www.city-data.com/forum/washi...ort-lewis.html
http://www.city-data.com/forum/washi...ewis-area.html
http://www.city-data.com/forum/washi...live-near.html
http://www.city-data.com/forum/washi...-ft-lewis.html
http://www.city-data.com/forum/washi...-ft-lewis.html
http://www.city-data.com/forum/washi...-ft-lewis.html
http://www.city-data.com/forum/washi...-ft-lewis.html
http://www.city-data.com/forum/washi...-ft-lewis.html
http://www.city-data.com/forum/washi...ents-near.html

[Prple]

I've heard good things about the Steilacom school district. If you don't mind a farther commute, the Olympia school district is outstanding. There are quite a few people who commute from Olympia to Ft. Steilacom or Tacoma daily.
http://www.city-data.com/forum/washi...ml#post7455936
http://www.city-data.com/forum/washi...g-olympia.html
http://www.city-data.com/forum/washi...want-know.html

Good luck!

[Sandy Nelson]

Amkilbride,

When we got stationed at Ft. Lewis, we did our research on the school districts and narrowed down our location based on that, and our maximum tolerance for commute time. We picked Olympia because of the good schools and of all the amenities. Olympia has been ranked as the safest mid sized town in America the past two years in a row. Renting first for a few months is good advice, but for us us it was inconvenient, since the Army would not have paid for a second move from an apartment to a house, and we did not want our children to have to change schools again. Whether you decide to buy a home, or rent, start by drawing a radius on a map with Ft. Lewis in the center, that includes your maximum commute tolerance. Then do your research on the schools. Determine your rent/mortgage price range and determine the communities you can afford to live in. Also, consider your needs as far as shopping and amenities.
This site has a lot of information and data. Good luck!

Sandy

[doryjo]

amkilbride.
I'm in the same boat and this forum does have some great advise. Just keep following threads and you'll be amazed at the info on here! We're moving to Ft. Lewis in Aug. and we've been debating on living on base or off, buying or renting. The only thing I can say is that the information I've found is discouraging for the Clover Park School District, which Ft. Lewis & McChord AFB both fall under. The Steilacoom Historical District has good marks, and Lacey/Olympia are rated well. That's the info I've garnered for myself and makes me feel that we'll be looking off base for a house to either rent or buy that has a good elementary school district. Hope you find all that you're looking for!

[bellabella2]

I lived in in that area from until 2004 and I visit frequently as I have a rental property there and family that relocated there.
We lived on post housing before buying our first home ( our rental now). We loved living on post and the safety of living there, feeling safe about your neighbors etc... We bought a home and soon after my husband got PCS orders to a school and another job. We didn't plan on it and selling the home was impossible. Therefore, we became landlords. Luckily now we have really good renters in the home.
We researched the areas and we fell in love with North Tacoma ( West ENd) near Point Defiance. We just loved the area there. My husband's commute wasn't bad at all as he was going against the usual traffic flow. Other friends bought in that area as well.

Other areas we thought were great .. right outside post in the Dupont Development. I believe they fall in a good school district.
I miss that area. Don't be fooled about the reputation of Tacoma. Tacoma has beautiful, nice areas like any other city. Check the West end.

mod cut: email link removed

[bellabella2]

AHRN

Automated Housing Referral network

This is a service for military families. I used it to make my house available for rent to other military families. Look in that site ( free service)

We are stationed somewhere now and we decided to not buy this time around ( two houses later ) and our daughter will be going to a private school. So check out the options for private education in the area. Maybe you could find an affordable housing situation and send your kids to a private school

[Firedawg75]

We chose Rainier(the town) because of the rural aspect, and small, good schools. My commute to McChord is approx 50 min via cutting across Ft. Lewis, and there's a gate at the town of Roy that provides access to the fort for the southern communities. Many military families live out by me as well as Yelm, and the bald hills East of Yelm.

[Vizia]

I've been in Tacoma since 2005. It's 2009 and I'm still living in the same area.
When we first moved here everyone said "don't move to Tacoma because it's bad" Yeah I found out that was like in the 80's and 90's.
Tacoma has cleaned up really great. Lakewood is a area I don't want my kids to go to school to. In WA the average home price is $270.000 - $350.000 you can get something nice, yes you pay a little more but you have piece of mind.

Tacoma - old and new houses, close to Ft. Lewis and the airport.
We choose Tac, because its half way to Seattle, Puyallup, Olympia etc.

Spanaway - A great area to live as well.

Dupont - new area, I like it but it's over priced.

Lacey - thats where we stayed in a hotel for 2 weeks, could find anything we liked in that area.

Olympia - to much of politics for me.

Puyallup - a lots of new houses, new shopping.....new homes everywhere. Nice place for Families.

I'll tell you about the areas of Tacoma.
Pull up Tacoma, WA map on google and go south step by step.

1. North End & Ruston if I had the money, thats where I would wanna live.

2. Fircrest & University Place a very nice area and average pricing.

3. 38th & S. Union Ave. thats my area and I'm happy with it. My rent is for 2BA/2BH is $900.

4. 38th & 56th is a great older neighborhood house price 160.000 - 265.000

5. past Pacific Ave. & above Tacoma dome I wouldn't move there.

6. Lakewood I only drive there to shop sometimes.
Sorry to say but the Air Force Base entrance/exit is in a bad area.
The Ft. Lewis one is at least in no neighborhood

Hope that helps.

Good luck, and let me know when you get here, how everything worked out.

[bunnyfool]

I used to live in Lakewood back in 93-96 when my now ex-husband was at Ft. Lewis. It was scary then, and when I went back to visit this past summer, it was even more scarier! (sorry to all the folks that love Lakewood) I lived in an apartment near McChord and had my car broken into, and one night, there was shots fired into our building.

I also agree 100% with the previous posters.. Olympia/Lacey/Yelm/ are Great! Tacoma has some magnificent neighborhoods. I love all the old homes that have been restored in the more historic areas.. but there are still problems.. nothing like the 80's and 90's. My cousin lives near K-st, which used to be notorious for gangs etc back in the day. He has had a few issues recently.. I havent talked to him in awhile so not certain how that panned out.

Good luck!!