Tacoma/Olympia relocation--need help!!!! UPDATE, pg. 2

[goofy's friends]

We've never lived anywhere except our one beloved city and are in for a new experience. However, we have never had to look for the community that we'd like to live in. I have scoured the internet and all I can find are facts and figures and it's just too much. We don't know where to start!!! Can anyone give information that would help us decide which community we should look in when meeting with a realator??

We are looking in the Tacoma/Olympia area in Washington. Any suburbs would be fine. Priorities would be good elementary schools, family-friendly town (traditional values would be a plus), & low crime.

If you know the area, please be honest with your opinions. In the town I live in, I would be able to tell people the places to live and the places to avoid. I can't seem to find that kind of info. anywhere and we don't know anyone to ask. Thanks so much for the help!!!!!

 

[FreshTressa]

Most of Tacoma is pretty yucky...if you can get in Olympia, do it! They are pretty far from each other...where is the job going to be? Traffic is pretty bad around here, so you don't want to be too far from work.

 

[goofy's friends]

The job is Du Pont. It is a very small community, other than that, we know nothing.

So, stay away from Tacoma. Anywhere around DuPont that we should look?

 

[Alex2kMommy]

I agree that you're probably not interested in Tacoma, which is a fairly large city. The further out you get away from Seattle-Tacoma, the better the housing prices, so I would look in the areas right around DuPont and further south, perhaps further east as well. Keep traffic in mind, traffic gets pretty bad between Olympia and Tacoma during rush hour.

Hopefully somebody from that area will write and provide more detailed information!

 

[FreshTressa]

I think from there you would want to live in Lacey. It is close to dupont, but won't have the crime that tacoma has. Stay away from Lakewood.

The places in Tacoma that are nicer aren't really commutable to Dupont, whereas Lacey is.

 

[disykat]

Lacey does sound like a good match. I'm not really familiar with that area. I used to have some friends in Yelm, but I usually approached it from the other direction.

 

[goofy's friends]

Thanks so much guys. Lacey is at the top of the list. bumping for more info.

 

[cardaway]

My suggestion would be to stay away from the Tacoma area and not go any farther South than Olympia. Things get pretty ugly south of Olympia until you get close to Oregon.

What do you want in a house? There are many areas in Olympia with acreage and the prices are very reasonable. Lacey is your best bet for a typical suburban lifestyle.

 

[FreshTressa]

I went to capitol high school and it was a great school...it is out on cooper point road in Olympia. I loved that area, but if I were you, I would not want to be that far south because of traffic.

 

[hlbtimes2]

One area of Tacoma that is nice is Browns Point. But, its probably to far of a drive to Dupont. I wouldnt want to drive it everyday. But, dont rule out other areas such as Puyallup. I have a friend that lives in Puyallup and commutes to Dupont. Because she goes against the traffic the drive isnt bad.

 

[Luv'sTink]

I would say stay closer to Olympia or Lacey also. I would love to live in that area. Tacoma is not what you would consider a great area, though I am sure there are some areas that are nice. I have friends that live in Olympia and they really love living there, it seems like they have everything.

 

[chobie]

Yelm might be okay.

 

[disykat]

I loved Puyallup and commuted further than Dupont - but I wouldn't settle there planning to commute if there are nice places closer.

 

[goofy's friends]

Tell me about these cities. What makes Olympia and Lacey and Pallyup good places to live? As far as houses, we need 4 bedrooms and would love to have some yard. But, I hear the cost of living is outrageous, so which area is the most affordable?

This info.is invaluable!!! We spent an hour last night looking at test scores for Lakewood, so its good to know that its bit the best choice. Thanks again.

Oh, and is the rain awful? I'm dreading that. I like sunshine

 

[cardaway]

I hope you are staying away from Lakewood.

I like Lacey because it's the the best fit for having everything you want in the direct area without having to be in the city of Tacoma or Seattle. Better schools, activities, stores, places to eat, etc.

The only downside to Lacey IMO is the slightly higher house prices, but you get what you pay for when it comes to everything in the area.

As for rain, on average it rains on more days in Washington, but we actually get less inches of rain than other major cities. If you come here and like how green everything looks, that's why everything looks the way it does.

 

[hlbtimes2]

You can look at housing prices at www.windermere.com It will give you an idea of what you are looking at- price and size wise. You'll get more house for your $$ in Oly or Lacey. Puyallup is a little closer to Tacoma/ Seattle, so if you like city life (more entertainment, etc) it might be a good choice. Although its grown so much in the last few years that its expensive and a bit crowded.

Lakewood, Steilacoom and Spanaway are all pretty heavy populated by military folks.

If you like a rural setting you might try Roy, Yelm or McKenna- they are all more like farm country. Not sure how the schools are in those areas.

 

[Cindyluwho]

goofy's friends, I sent you a private message about house prices in the area. As another poster said, Yelm is a good option if you like more of a "country feel". And just think, if you move to Yelm, you can be neighbors with Ramtha!! http://www.ramtha.com/

 

[goofy's friends]

 

[goofy's friends]

Last try at a bumpity-bump-bump

 

[goofy's friends]

Hi all! I just thought you might like to know where we ended up. Thanks for all your input. We searched and searched for 5 days and were about to give up.

Finally, the agent insisted we look further out of our preferred areas which were Lacey and Dupont and University Place, and Olympia. We drove to Puyallup and found our house. LOVE The area, but DH not crazy at all about the commute. Hopefully, it won't be too bad. Schools are good (we hear), lots of trees and yard, good floor plan (except the laundry room off the kitchen, what's up with that?) and great neighborhood with kids and a pool (although it may never be warm enough to use it!)

So, we're not there yet. Anyone want to shed light on this community or give words of encouragement about the commute to DH?

Thanks for all your words of wisdom. We would have lived in many of the areas taht you mentioned if it had worked out. We are excited about this, though and believe we will be happy.