Tacoma/ Joint Base Lewis-Mchord Area Info

Can't share a ton... But Tacoma is where everyone in Seattle moves to to have a big house! So I have a lot of friends & coworkers who've moved down there! (2b/1ba in Seattle is half a million, but housing in Tac is about half as exp. as in Seattle. So people can afford 4b/2ba w a view or big yard.).

Also... The "Tacoma Aroma" is pretty notorious, although a gazillion (bazillion, kajillion) times better than it used to be 10 years ago. Still there. So look for places upwind of the paper mills, or with Sound breezes. It can still get pretty noxious a few times a year, but its not constant the way it used to be.

There's lots and lots to see/do in Tacoma (and Seattle is just an hour up, Olympia an hour or so Down).

Carefully research neighborhoods! I don't know enough to know which ones are necessarily better than others, but there's a definite difference. The "aroma of Tacoma" comes from the paper mill :)

I live in University Place which is honestly right on top of Tacoma. Honestly right where I live is nice but there are no houses on my street however the housing development directly behind me is very nice as are quite a few housing developments around me. Research the schools if you think you will be here that long. Also, make certain you make sure all of your must haves are a part of your move. My children are 9 and 6 and have never had issues in school nor any issues in our neighborhood. If I wanted to I can take 20 minutes to walk to the park, Wal*Mart, Starbucks, and less time to get to many other restaurants and little shops or convenience stores. I've lived in my area over 9 years just to give you an idea of how safe we are.

Agree with TJ.

Research the area in which you will likely move into.

I am in South Federal Way. on the Border to North East Tacoma. North East Tacoma, Browns Point, NorthShore area is beautiful. You are a zip down the hill to Port of Tacoma, which takes you right into Downtown Tacoma fairly easily.

If you are going to be closer to the city or within the downtown area....You really want to know your neighborhood. Hill Top is slowly but surely cleaning up, but it can still be pretty rough around the edges.

Ruston Way area, or Old School Tacoma are up and around the Point Defiance Zoo is a very scenic area as well. Ruston can be a hang out spot for teenagers and car jocks. They like to park in the last lot and bump their music Friday nights. The police do what they can keeping the noise down, though.

The area around the Tacoma mall and a little North West from it is all fairly nice.

The Tacoma, area off of Hwy 16 going towards Gig Harbor is beautiful as well.

What I consider to be rural Tacoma Midland, Fir Crest, the Puyallup, Spanaway entry points are all awesome communities. They are slowly but surely cleaning up and growing nicely.

The Stadium High School area (where they filmed the movie ''Ten things I hate about you'' is in my opinion the high end or luxury part of Tacoma.

Going south further down I-5 the military base JBLM is a huge chunk of South Seattle. The area is not exactly awesome. Tillacom(spelling). Lakewood area are pretty run down. This area probably has its nice points and is probably not all that bad. It just looks rough from the first glance.

Here are a few links you can check out and start making your own mind on the different area's.

http://www.city-data.com/nbmaps/neigh-Tacoma-Washington.html

http://www.neighborhoodscout.com/wa/tacoma/crime/

http://www.areavibes.com/tacoma-wa/neighborhoods/ <-------This link is my favorite

Tacoma has become my City of choice. When you look at the differences between it and Seattle, hands down it is better all around imo.

I know we have a few Tacoma residents on this board. Hopefully one or more of them will be able to respond to give you an idea of what like their utilities and housing costs are.

My Best friend live across the County lines and she LOVES being on Tacoma's power grid as well as all the other living costs. The are quite a bit lower in comparison to what I pay for King County/Federal Way utilities.

If you need anymore help or recommendations do feel free to ask:)

I can vouch for Riley when she is explaining the ''Tacoma Aroma''. Anytime there is a slightly warmer temp out(say above 50 degree's)through the spine of the Port of Tacoma and the area's around the water, there is the worst smell. It is normally a rotten egg mixed with cow pie pudding pack. You dont even notice it after awhile. And does not spread ALL OVER. So not much to worry unless you are closer to the water/port.

Will you be living on base or off?

McChord AFB is a great base and you have so much to do and see!!!

http://usmilitary.about.com/od/airforcebaseprofiles/ss/Mc...

http://www.city-data.com/city/McChord-AFB-Washington.html

http://weather.weatherbug.com/WA/McChord%20AFB-weather.html

I have never personally lived there. Went TDY there with my ex-husband and visited my "big" sister (known since I was 4 years old and is my sisters best friend). She works at Boeing.

What do you like to do? That would help in answering the question!

Have fun!!