What BestPlaces Users Say about Tacoma
Tacoma, Washington is a mid-sized port city located 32 miles southwest of Seattle. With a population of over 213,000 people, it offers a mix of urban and suburban living, with a diverse culture and a strong job market. The city boasts beautiful views of Mount Rainier and the Puget Sound, as well as a variety of outdoor activities and a thriving arts scene. However, like any city, it has its pros and cons, and the following user reviews offer a glimpse into what it's like to live in Tacoma.
Overall, many users seem to have a positive experience living in Tacoma. One reviewer, Chris, shares on bestplaces.net that "Tacoma is a wonderful place to live. It has a unique blend of natural beauty, great food, and friendly people. There is always something to do and see here." Similarly, another user named Sarah states that "Tacoma offers a great quality of life, with a lower cost of living compared to Seattle. The job market is strong and the community is welcoming."
However, some users have expressed concerns about safety in certain areas of Tacoma. According to David, "Tacoma has its rough areas, but the city has been working hard to improve them. Overall, I feel safe and enjoy living here." Another user, Jessica, also notes that "while there are nice areas in Tacoma, there are also areas that are not as safe. It's important to do your research before deciding where to live."
In addition to safety, the cost of housing and traffic are also commonly mentioned by users. As Kayla shares, "housing in Tacoma is affordable, although it is getting more expensive. Traffic can be a headache during rush hour, but overall it's manageable." Similarly, Maria adds that "the cost of living in Tacoma is reasonable, but it can be tough to find affordable housing in desirable areas. Commuting can also be a challenge, but there are public transportation options available."
In conclusion, while Tacoma may have its drawbacks, it seems to offer a good balance of city living and outdoor attractions. As user John states, "Tacoma has a unique charm that draws people in. It's not perfect, but it has something for everyone." With its growing economy and diverse community, Tacoma seems to be a desirable place to call home for many individuals.
based on 40 ReviewsGet to know Tacoma with the latest comments and reviews from people who live in or have visited Tacoma
28 year former resident - 1/23/2010
I lived in Tacoma for 28 years. Crime HAS gotten a little better, but not much!
Lots of problems in Tacoma........I would not move
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Tacoma - 10/22/2009
Tacoma's okay, has its good and bad just like every other city. Mild climate just too wet. Lived here my whole life. Plan on moving someday, hopefully to a nice warm sunny
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McNeil Island - 8/23/2009
Actually I live on McNeil Island off the coast of Tacoma, the site of the state prison. As a result our crime rate is extremely
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A City in Transition? - 11/5/2008
That is what the police said when we called to let them know, after only moving in one week prior, our lawn items had been taken. The police said that the "area" we were living in was in a "transition" phase, i.e., getting better. However, everyone who asks what area of Tacoma we live in basically tell us to move out asap. They say the only "safe side of Tacoma" is to live on the "North side". Very disappointed that our stuff was stolen, and we do get litter thrown in the yard almost on a daily basis. Have had no problems/issues w/the neighbors, as they do not seem to be of the talkative nature anyway. The people we meet in the stores are very nice, and we have had no trouble in that area. The surrounding beauty of trees, the water, etc., is great, and getting adjusted to all the rain.
Just wondering, since we are will be living here for the next year or so, is it really as bad as people are telling us to live
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A town grown large - 10/17/2008
Tacoma...when I moved here thirty-five years ago, it was a town retaining a flavor of its' Scandinavian heritage. It was blue collar,...a working man's town. In the intervening years it has changed into two different towns. South Tacoma still retaining the working class image,...North Tacoma now very upscale and in some areas, very expensive. It seems sometimes that the Tacoma northend is more connected to Seattle than to Tacoma itself.
The weather is overcast, dismal and rainy throughout most of the year. However, no matter where you are, if you keep track of the nightly national TV weather, you will see that the best summers in the nation are here in western washington around the Puget Sound. Seventy five, sunny and gorgeous with very little humidity. Fall can also be quite pleasant...dry, cool, crisp, with a bit of sunshine and flaming red, yellow and orange foliage.
It is a time to look forward to the Hallowe'en trick or treaters coming around in their
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Tacoma - Who Knew? - 7/19/2008
Tacoma will surprise you. In a great way! From the re-vitalized DownTown area, with great museums, Fine Dining, and Live music. Our World Class Waterfront offering spellbinding views of the Olympic Mountains across Puget Sound and the Magic of Mt. Rainier. Wander the many historic neighborhoods featuring beautiful Classic Homes. Enjoy a baseball game at Cheney Stadium watching the Tacoma Rainiers, the AAA league for the Seattle Mariners. A fantastic New Links Golf Course is minutes away in quiet University Place. Chambers Bay Golf course is the in a class by itself. Check it out, you'll be pleasantly surprised!
Tacoma is situated within 45 minutes of Boeing and Microsoft, and home to the Frank Russell Company. There is also one of the largest ports on the west coast here, creating thousands of jobs and ensuring that Tacoma will always be in the forefront of World Class opportunities in employment and culture.
With all that, Tacoma remains in the shadow of its
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Mixed reviews for Tacoma police and crime - 6/10/2008
We live in the south end of Tacoma, which is hit and miss in terms of good and not so good neighborhoods. Our particular neighborhood is filled with many good people who care about the quality of life of other residents and who are actively involved in trying to improve our area. Our biggest challenges, as with most neighborhoods in this area, are drug-related and property crime. Meth (locally produced and imported from Mexico) is a HUGE problem in this city, as is car theft and vandalism, and the police department has been working at addressing the concerns of citizens. Despite their hard work, however, the police department often complains of underfunding and lack of resources whenever neighbors ask for specific help dealing with specific houses or individuals. For a basic need like police or fire protection to be underfunded is inexusable to me when I consider how high taxes and housing costs are in this city. Overall, it's not a horrible city but it needs better leadership
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Depressed and dreary - 5/29/2008
Avoid this city--you're much better off paying the extra money it takes to live in or around Seattle. This town will suck the life out of you--it's a big time
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they've got to be kidding - 4/16/2008
The whole area is beautiful, but you must be prepared for a couple of things that apply to more than Seattle. The joke is that Seattle is so tough, that even the sun doesn't come here. Tacoma is worse. The second thing is a phenomenon called "Seattle Freeze." Go to you tube to see some documentaries on it. The people here are polite but not very friendly. "Let's get together sometime," really means "get away from me." You must be prepared to have NO friends here for a loooooong time, unless you already know people out here. I cannot emphasize this enough. People in Tacoma look down their nose at you, which I think is funny given it is a working class town. The weather is gloomy, the people pretentious and gloomier, and you will need to deal with the isolation and gloominess yourself. If you can handle both, then you will be
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Weather - 3/9/2008
Moderate temperatures in the spring and fall, beautiful sunrises and sunsets with views of Mt.
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