Federal Way vs Kent vs Auburn, etc. (Seattle, Tacoma: 2013, apartment)

[sogrimey]

Any major differences? I heard Kent got some crime and Federal Way got some airplane noise. I'd like to avoid both. What are decent, affordable towns south of Seattle?
What about Burien, Des Moines, Tacoma? I heard Renton is expensive.

[sogrimey]

also, which ones have nightlife spots?

[twelker]

Tacoma maybe what your looking for. Less plane noise, more night life..... The closer you get to sea-tac the more plane noise. Tacoma is in Pearce county,from what I have been told is cheaper than king county.

[DevanXL]

All the cities have airplane noise. South tacoma gets the noise from the military cargo places and the other cities have noise from Seatac. There is some distinct difference in the cities, mainly how they operate. Tacoma is the othe city with real nightlife. It really depends on what do you specifically want. Apartment, condo, urban area, water views. Do you have a car, what your price range?

[sogrimey]

Originally Posted by DevanXL

All the cities have airplane noise. South tacoma gets the noise from the military cargo places and the other cities have noise from Seatac. There is some distinct difference in the cities, mainly how they operate. Tacoma is the othe city with real nightlife. It really depends on what do you specifically want. Apartment, condo, urban area, water views. Do you have a car, what your price range?

studio-1 bd apt, have a car, urban/suburban-doesnt matter, price-the cheaper the better

[Mark S.]

Unless things have changed since I left in 2007, Tacoma ought to be called Tacompton.

If you want lots of nightlife, you're going to want to stick to the cities, and that means more crime. If you want to get out of the 'hood, you're also leaving the nightlife.

[Hemlock140]

When you ask for cheap rent, you are going to get crime, and/or airplane noise, that's why the rent is less. You have to strike a balance. In general, none of those cities are really bad, but there are pockets to stay away from in all of them. There are some more affordable areas of Renton. There are crime maps available, and also airplane noise maps. The noise map below is only for Seatac, there is also noise from Boeing Field, and the King County Airport in Renton.

Moderator cut: link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed

http://www.airportsites.net/SEA-Part...sure%20Map.pdf

[cpmunk]

how far is it from tacoma to renton? how long by car? is there a lot of traffic? how long from tacoma to seattle? UW?

[Hemlock140]

Originally Posted by cpmunk

how far is it from tacoma to renton? how long by car? is there a lot of traffic? how long from tacoma to seattle? UW?

Tacoma to Renton half an hour with no traffic, 45-60 at commute times. Tacoma to Seattle 45 minutes with no traffic, 60-75 at commute times. All worse yet on Friday afternoon/evening. Pick any route in the Puget Sound area and yes, there is traffic. On the sounder train, depending on where you start and end, with bus/walk at each end it could be 90 minutes to Renton, 2 hours to Seattle. The train itself is about
45 minutes to Renton, an hour to Seattle, but has no Renton stops. By bus or with the bus you have to add wait time between buses. From Tukwila you can take the light rail to downtown Seattle in 45 minutes.

[ilovekotatsu]

Tacoma downtown sounds like it will be a good fit. Nightlife and a great cupcake shop. You can't go wrong!!