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

[Cindyluwho]

Congrats Congrats
First let's start with pronunciation for all of the out-of-towners:
it's pyou-all-up not poo-all-up. It's a beautiful small city. And yes, of course it gets warm enough to use a pool, we have incredible summers and falls. what does your DH do for a living? And also, when are you closing and making the big move? You're gonna love Washington.

 

[bekkiz]

Yeah, newcomers to the PNW! We just moved (to Bothell) in June, and so far we're loving it!

I hope your move goes smoothly and you enjoy it out here

 

[disykat]

I lived in Puyallup for many years and loved it! I did my student teaching there and ended up living there for about 7 years - even though I commuted 40 miles to another area to work. I moved when I got married almost 16 years ago. DH to drag me away reluctantly but it was silly for both of us to commute. I just went back to visit my old church a few weeks ago and boy that whole area has really grown!

 

[Alex2kMommy]

The Puyallup Fair is a big deal every September. It's the Western Washington State Fair, and lots of fun, some elements of the old county fair with animals and produce and quilting, etc. But also carnival rides and major singers come to perform (especially country singers.)

I grew up in the south Puget Sound area, and we went every year. My favorite things to do were to eat a fresh scone with strawberry jam, YUM! and have a caricature done.

But there's a wicked carnival ride, sort of like the Teacups on steroids! The little cars spin, the whole platform spins, and also lifts up and drops on one side, with a big WHOOSHING noise! I rode it once, and now can't even go near it or hear that sound without getting nauseous...

 

[Caropooh]

What part of Puyallup? That will make a big difference on his commute. If your going to be living in the South Hill part, then he will be going on Meridian with everyone else. As far as I know, it's the only main street in and out of that area.
We've lived up here in the Pacific Northwest for 12 years now and love it! It's so nice to have 4 seasons! Welcome!

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

Dupont has some new neighborhoods going in and a cute little community area - we had to stop recently for asthma meds and Starbucks.

I'm sure it's going to sound like north end snobbery but I'd avoid Puyallup if I could. It's a little too close to Tacoma/Lakewood for me and I had friends that moved down there only to quickly move back north, the schools were horrid!

 

[mamatojon]

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.

If you are talking about the south hill area of puyallup, then HI new neighbor! If you are closer to highway 512 then the commute won't be that bad really - but if you have to go down Meridian then it definitely can get bad. I spent 40 minutes tonight driving what should normally take 10 to 15. How cool a DISer is moving to my neighborhood!

 

[grlpwrd]

You know, realistically, traffic is horrible no matter where you live there, especially along I-5. I lived in Kirkland for 11 years and traffic is definitely one thing I don't miss.

You might want to check online for traffic camera footage along I-5 for that commute. I know my dh used to check for his commute there and still does for his drive here from VA to Baltimore. Maybe if your dh sees what he's getting into you all can gauge where you will "plant your roots."

Then again is there a chance that you can possibly rent until you find a place that you do like, especially considering traffic and school systems?

 

[goofy's friends]

Thanks, guys! I'm not sure if it is the South Hill area or not. I think it's called Gem Heights, but that could be wrong, too. I have heard good things about the schools, but several have made reference to them being bad. Would anyone care to elaborate????

I know Meridian is supposed to be a nightmare, but we heard that another street will be open to the expressway very soon. We move in Dec., so we are hoping for that. I forgot the name of it, but there are no stop lights on it.

The fair sounds fun

 

[cardaway]

You might want to check online for traffic camera footage along I-5 for that commute. I know my dh used to check for his commute there and still does for his drive here from VA to Baltimore. Maybe if your dh sees what he's getting into you all can gauge where you will "plant your roots."

That's a great idea. Here is a site with traffic cameras.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/Traffic/tacoma/default.htm

Don't want to be a downer, but the traffic is very bad unless you can go on off hours.

 

[mamatojon]

Thanks, guys! I'm not sure if it is the South Hill area or not. I think it's called Gem Heights, but that could be wrong, too. I have heard good things about the schools, but several have made reference to them being bad. Would anyone care to elaborate????

I know Meridian is supposed to be a nightmare, but we heard that another street will be open to the expressway very soon. We move in Dec., so we are hoping for that. I forgot the name of it, but there are no stop lights on it.

The fair sounds fun

That is South Hill. You will be in my back yard, literally. We'll have to meet at Starbucks or something sometime.

The cross-base highway, when completed, will definitely help out your husbands commute to Dupont. It isn't scheduled to be complete until 2009 though according to my utilities update, and you know how timely construction projects are. Is he working traditional work hours? I have some suggestions for how you can get around some of the traffic if you want we can talk via PM or email. I would think that in the absence of traffic you would be looking at about a 45 minute commute, with traffic figure an hour or a little more.

Someone up earlier said that the schools were bad, I don't think they are any worse than any other district in the area. University Place and Olympia schools are at the top but out of what's left they all have their strengths and weaknesses and are pretty equal in my eyes. I grew up here, and when I was in school (the 80's, LOL) Puyallup schools were one of the best in the area. Bethel isn't the best, but if you are in Gem Heights then you are in Puyallup schools, right on the edge of Bethel. We homeschool, so I don't have any direct experience with them, but several of my neighbors have kids in school here and are very pleased.

 

[Caropooh]

The Seattle Times put this school guide out this week. It gives info on class size, standardized test scores, etc. on all Seattle area schools.
http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/schoolguide/

 

[Lassie Lynne]

You all are talking my hometown area...I grew up in Sumner (still have many friends who live there) and my cousin lives on South Hill (Graham).

Went back last May for a vist...WOW......haven't been there since 1988, couldn't believe all of the traffic and the growth on South Hill since then.

Anyway...OP hope you like your new neighborhood. I loved growing up in the Puyallup Valley and when DH and are ready to retire, we will be returning to live out our golden years!!

 

[goofy's friends]

Thanks, guys. The links are very helpful! So, it is said with "all" in the middle or "al" in the middle???? We've heard it both ways and don't want to say it wrong!!!!!

Momtojon, I am so glad to know someone there! Would love to meet at Starbuck's (I'll have hot chocolate, we're not coffee drinkers, shhhhhh, don't tell!!!)!!Please PM me with the good places to shop, Drs., lessons, customs, churches, etc. Would love to hear all that from someone!!!! If I don't hear from you, I will PM you!!!!!

Bethel isn't the name of our school, is that what you meant?

I will try to find out the name of the road that I heard is going to go through, but it is almost done without stoplights and it's not a cross-town highway. It should help. What time do the roads start to get bad?

I am concerned about the schools, I am a teacher at heart and may end up home-schooling too if you guys don't make me feel better quick!! Please spare me that experience

 

[marydmjj]

So, it is said with "all" in the middle or "al" in the middle????

I'm a native & I say Pyou-al-up but I think you are safe saying it either way. Just don't say Peeyou-al-eeyup or Poo-all-eeyup or... Have fun trying to learn how to pronounce all of the Native American names around here. They are great but hard to figure out.

Welcome to the Pacific NW - you will love it. The rain takes a little getting used to (don't look at my post from yesterday) but once you do, it's the most beautiful place in the country.

 

[goofy's friends]

I'm a native & I say Pyou-al-up but I think you are safe saying it either way. Just don't say Peeyou-al-eeyup or Poo-all-eeyup or... Have fun trying to learn how to pronounce all of the Native American names around here. They are great but hard to figure out.

Welcome to the Pacific NW - you will love it. The rain takes a little getting used to (don't look at my post from yesterday) but once you do, it's the most beautiful place in the country.

All my Okie friends are teasing us "you're moving to P-U- where???"
And if anyone should be used to Native American words, its us!!!!

Thanks for the welcome! Just get over the rain before I get there, OK? HA< HA!!!

 

[BelleBoo&AmisMum]

You can get all of the test scores for the WASL at Washington State Report Card

I should have mentioned in my earlier post that I have issues with that area which cloud my opinion. I lived in Lakewood 11 years ago and it was by far the most miserable time of my life and I couldn't wait to get back up here. We (my ex and I) and I spent a lot of time Puyallup and Spanaway and now I avoid the area like the plague! Sorry for not including that originally.

 

[Pdowning98]

Hiya Goofy's Friend

Welcome to the neighborhood. Gem Heights is almost next to my sub-division. Just a mile or so down the road. I love when people try to pronounce Puyallup, it cracks me up. Not the most easy word to say! DS has been to a Puyallup school and a Bethel school, so I definitely have formed my own opionions. If you have any questions feel free to ask. Sounds like there are a few other DISsers in the area, it would be great to meet up and make some DIS friends when everyone is settled in! Have a great afternoon!

 

[goofy's friends]

HI THERE!!! Yes, we will need to get together

Any input from you would be great on the area, too I'm going to need all the help I can get!

Thanks, Bellaboo, for trying to be positive after a bad experience! I know that's hard.

The street I was talking about was (I think) Canyon.......supposed to be finished soon??????

 

[GirlieGirl]

Just thought I would add my two cents in...

As far as schools go, if you want an option other than public, we send our kids to a wonderful Christian school called Cascade Christian. We have been there for 3 years and have kids at all levels--from preschool through high school! If you have questions about it, just PM me and I would be happy to answer any questions you might have.

Welcome to Washington!!!