New Tacoma? (Seattle, Lakewood, Shoreline: apartments, city hall, rentals)

[Salmanal]

I currently live in a socially conservative state. I also want to attend school-not here. I'm looking at Seattle; but, I cannot rule out Tacoma. I already know Seattle is a better city; the crime rate, museums, etc. As far as danger is concerned, I lived in Upstate, NY before here; want danger? Go to Buffalo.

As a student, I cannot afford most apartments in Seattle, so I thought Tacoma may be an option. A few places I see on Rent.com say they are in New Tacoma/Theater District.

Anywho, is New Tacoma a name given by Realtors to increase property values, or is there really a new part of Tacoma?

Lastly, is Tacoma as liberal as Seattle? I'm a tree-hugging, animal-loving, vegan-vegetarian, I'm not
sure which city will be a better fit for me.

Thanks

[Inkpoe]

A huge portion of New Tacoma is industrial... where the Port of Tacoma is located. It does include the strip of their downtown which has the trendy neighborhoods either in or next to it... that's definitely the nicer part of it. It's just the name of that particular section.

I wouldn't say Seattle is the "better" city... but a lot of people do prefer Seattle. Tacoma DT is very evidently smaller than Seattle DT, but it has its own charms and grittiness. There are some nice museums, a zoo/aquarium nearby, great food places (though not as numerous as Seattle area), free light rail, a good number of universities/colleges, beautiful views within Tacoma. There is also a heavy rail station that many Tacomans use to go to work in Seattle (it's a commuter train).

If you are a student, have you already selected a school? If the school is in Tacoma, then either live in or near Tacoma. If in Seattle, then live in/near there-- there are affordable places near Seattle. I wouldn't worry too much about liberalness-- you wouldn't be an odd duck out in Tacoma. Tacoma itself is liberal, the county its in generally doesn't vote as blue as King county (Seattle) or Snohomish county (which is north of King Co./Seattle).

[LookinForMayberry]

Originally Posted by Salmanal

I currently live in a socially conservative state. I also want to attend school-not here. I'm looking at Seattle; but, I cannot rule out Tacoma. I already know Seattle is a better city; the crime rate, museums, etc. As far as danger is concerned, I lived in Upstate, NY before here; want danger? Go to Buffalo.

As a student, I cannot afford most apartments in Seattle, so I thought Tacoma may be an option. A few places I see on Rent.com say they are in New Tacoma/Theater District.

Anywho, is New Tacoma a name given by Realtors to increase property values, or is there really a new part of Tacoma?

Lastly, is Tacoma as liberal as Seattle? I'm a tree-hugging, animal-loving, vegan-vegetarian, I'm not
sure which city will be a better fit for me.

Thanks

I don't know what school you are planning to attend, but I would go for the Shoreline area before I would go to Tacoma. Bothell is good, too -- and of course I love Kenmore. We have the Bastyr -- sounds perfect for your life choices.

We heart tree-hugging vegans.

Best wishes, wherever you go!

[Salmanal]

Thanks very much Inkpoe, per what I've heard (hearsay) about Tacoma, I thought of it
as being Seattle's "Ghetto" or "Nuclear Waste Dump." I had no idea the is a zoo or aquarium
there; those 2 alone are enough to improve my image of Tacoma. I know there are schools there;
being from out of state, I'd better look at the community college first-I'll pay most of my
tuition. Loans must be repaid; it is best to go with the lower cost option when I first arrive
in Washington. I will order a guide from Tacoma's CVB.

When one says, "I live in Seattle live in Seattle," the listener will think of coffee,
cloudy skies, or Frasier. LOL When a speaker says,"I live in Tacoma." "Oh."

LookinForMayberry, I'll look at Kenmore and Bothell, for the
bus schedules. I like good public transportation, and I've seen the Tacoma
to/from Seattle schedule. I don't drive a lot due to M.S.

I should be fine in Tacoma or the Seattle metro, many thanks both of you for the responses.

I'll leave this question open a few days to see if the are any other opinions.

[Jake840]

Tacoma started in what is now called Old Town near the Ruston Way Waterfront. Some other folks broke away for whatever reason and started a 2nd town called New Tacoma where Downtown is now. Eventually they merged into one city of Tacoma. New Tacoma isn't really a neighborhood. It is a neighborhood council area. There are multiple neighborhoods inside those general areas (Dome District, Museum District/UWT, CBD, Theater District, St Helens District, etc). The north part of downtown (Theater, St Helens & Stadium) is more high density residential condos & apartments.

Downtown Tacoma is large area wise. It is actually about the size of Downtown Seattle. It is not built up though like Seattle. It is very clean and safe. There are very popular museums. Tacoma Art Museum (doubling in size next year due to a donation), Museum of Glass, Washington State History Museum, Karpeles Manuscript Museum & the brand new LeMay - America's Car Museum.

Tacoma is very liberal and even more so north of I-5/hwy 16 (Central Tacoma, North Tacoma, New Tacoma). Heck they just raised the Gay Pride Flag on top of Tacoma City Hall in Downtown yesterday for Tacoma's 9 day pride event.

[Jake840]

Also here are some crime stats for Seattle & Tacoma for Jan-Mar 2012. Seattle is only reporting through March so those are the numbers I used. Seattle is almost exactly 3 times larger than Tacoma.

Crime Seattle, Tacoma
Homicide 11 - 1
Robbery 320 - 95
Aggravated Assault 495 - 99
Burglary 1573 - 707
Larceny 5397 - 1420
Vehicle Theft 808 - 383

[Salmanal]

Very thoughtful of you, Jake940. The city where I lived has a higher crime ranking per the FBI than
either Seattle or Tacoma. I lived on the edge of that city, blocks from the suburbs; also, that area
was a tad more expensive. Honestly, I'm street savvy, I was in Oakland, CA this past April; and, I
walked downtown at night, which is nuts. One does not learn anything about any place staying indoors
all the time. I've not studied sociology, yet; per my experiences, drug use makes petty crimes increase, like theft or vandalism. My current city in Nevada has a high rate of meth users, all wanting to feed their habit. In Oakland/SF, the drug of choice is crack,
when theybeg from me, I offer assistance. Here, when I say that I am deaf, they'll walk away. I'm not sure what will happen in Washington, but I'll handle it. As long as I know the way to either TJ's or Whole Foods, I'll be in great shape. It looks like
both Tacoma stores are in the University Place? area. Thanks so much

[Inkpoe]

Originally Posted by Salmanal

As long as I know the way to either TJ's or Whole Foods, I'll be in great shape. It looks like
both Tacoma stores are in the University Place? area. Thanks so much

TJ's is in UP, Whole Foods is near UP but still in Tacoma. There is also Metropolitan Market (our local version of Whole Foods), and definitely check out the Tacoma Boys (Fresh Produce Fruits & Vegetables, Butcher Meat & Seafood, Garden Plants for Tacoma, Puyallup, Lakewood, University Place - Tacoma Boys - H & L Produce). And well, actually most of our markets (Safeway, Fred Meyer's, et.c) do offer organics sections.

[Salmanal]

Really good information Inkpoe,

I shop TJ's and WF for better nutrition, not the organics. Sure most supermarkets sell organic
produce; but, it is usually older produce because it stays in the stores longer. Near me, there
are 3 markets catering to a more Mexican population; yes, the only foods I can buy in those stores
are the spices and dried beans (I must rinse canned beans). I lived in Mexico (Chihuahua) a few years,
the locals thought I was from another planet due to no consumption of meat, cheese, or eggs.
I got along well with my neighbors due to speaking Spanish fluently, I read lips in Spanish
as well as I do English. Inexpensive foods are the least healthy. Having M.S. means eating
tree bark daily-a diet very low in fat helps to prevent future attacks.
Deaf and M.S., but I am a very happy camper.

I ran across a store in Phoenix that was quite similar to Tacoma Boys, it sold meat and meatless
products.

Oh, my form of transportation is a mountain bike or feet; I'll give my current Fuji to the
shop where I bought it (they fix up bikes for those who can't afford most new bikes),
I'll buy another bike when I arrive, is Tacoma hilly or flat?

[Salmanal]

I found an online Bike Map of Tacoma, so most of my questions about this city were answered.
Now, I'll need to visit. Again, as a student, I cannot afford most rentals in Seattle; this is what
pushed me to look at Tacoma.

I thank all who responded and gave me a more positive image of Tacoma. Most cities have
good and bad areas, I thought Tacoma was nearly all bad. With TJ's, Whole Foods,
Tacoma Boys, and a food co-op on 6th, Tacoma cannot be all bad.

I notice they all seem to be in north of South Tacoma, this tells me to avoid South Tacoma.

So, after a visit, I'll end up in Tacoma or closer to Seattle.