Tacoma isn't perfect, but it's pretty damn great
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12/28/2021
I've lived in Tacoma for 3.5 years and love it! It's not a perfect city, nowhere is perfect and Tacoma does have its' share of problems, but overall have found T-Town to be pretty damn great. I have lived in many places all over the world. I moved to Tacoma from Norfolk, Virginia (which feels a lot like Tacoma BTW) and it feels like home here.
My favorite thing about Tacoma is the people. Tacoma prides itself in being a rough around the edges kinda town and is known as Grit City. Tacomans are friendly, but don't let that fool you, they are fiercely loyal to the city and will go toe to toe with anyone throwing shade. That said, there are some of the kindest and lovely people anywhere here. The sense of community is very strong and there is no shortage of things to get involved in with fellow Tacomans doing something to help others.
The parks, weather, and outdoor access. Metro Parks Tacoma is one of the best park systems I've ever seen. Between the trails at Point Defiance Park to the diversity of trees at the iconic Wright Park in the middle of the city you're sure to enjoy the outdoor spaces. Walking along Ruston Way anytime of year is a treat for the senses. There is a saying here "Live like the mountain is out" and it's so true. Summer is gorgeous here and EVERYONE is outside. Even winter is pretty mild here compared to a lot of places I've lived. It rains more inches per year in NYC and DC than it doesn in this area. That said, "The Gray" does last a solid six months. People here don't carry umbrellas like it's a sense of pride, I learned that real fast and to be honest I've never really felt I needed one. Even walking in the rain isn't bad if you have a good rain jacket and decent footwear.
Transport. This one is tough, but overall I don't mind driving around Tacoma at all. The hills can be a challenge for bicycles, but there are more and more powered bike riders popping up all over the place. Parking is for the most part much easier than, say, Seattle or Portland. It is a challenge in some of the neighborhoods like Stadium District. I live in Hilltop one block away from a future light rail stop and I'm pretty excited to see how things feel once that is operational. The hills in Tacoma can be a challenge for a lot of people, so it will be good to have other options for those who don't have cars and may have some physical challenges. Long term we're going to be able to take the light rail to SEATAC or a Mariners/Seahawks/Kraken game. Seattle metro, which includes Tacoma, is way behind where it should be with public transport in my opinion. I grew up in the SF Bay Area and remember BART being built back in the 70's. Seattle Metro has nothing like that yet, so it will be good when all that comes to fruition. I think the timeline has us looking at 2030 for that reality, but the construction along the I-5 corridor is happening. The I-5 Interchange around the Tacoma Dome has been a nightmare for decades, but is super close to being completed. The snarl that is Fife will hopefully be a thing of the past in 2022, but Tacomans aren't holding their breath on that one. Overall, transport is a mixed bag.
Eats and Drinks. Tacoma has some great dining options. Whether you want a solid brunch, seafood, Italian, Thai, Indian, Sandwiches, Vietnamese, Ramen, a slice of pizza, taco truck eats, or a $100 A5 Wagyu steak, you can find it here. There are solid breweries, pubs, taverns, and bars all over town. COVID really hurt some long time Tacoma spots, but overall the city is bouncing back. The patio options have increased immensely. Prices are pretty affordable, most entrees fall in the $10-20 range, but there are definitely more spendy spots if that's what you're looking for.
Entertainment. Tacoma has plenty to do, you'll never be bored here. I absolutely love The Grand Cinema. It's a volunteer run theater with four screens and some of the best popcorn I've ever had. They show a lot of indie films and the Tacoma Film Festival has something for everybody. There are great music and other performing arts venue options. Tacoma Comedy Club draws top comedians and it's a lot of fun. Honestly there is so much to appreciate here with entertainment. Hopefully some others will comment with their faves. Our street festivals (pre COVID) are fantastic! Can't wait for those to come back, hopefully Summer 2022 brings us good things
Housing. You've probably already looked into this, but Tacoma is a pretty hot market. I was lucky to purchase my home in 2019, as prices have risen significantly since, if you can even find something for sale that isn't scooped up in under a week. Affordable rental housing is a serious issue the city is grappling hard with. There are tent camps all over the Hilltop area, it's a huge problem with all the crime that comes with. It's pretty sad, but that's true for a lot of places all over the West Coast.
Cost of living is pretty high in Tacoma. As of 2021 we have the highest sales tax in the country at 10.3%. Even higher than Seattle with 10.25%. COVID has raised costs everywhere though, so Tacoma is no outlier.
Overall I love it here and am pretty happy to call Tacoma home. It's not perfect, but it's pretty damn good.
Jeffrey | Tacoma, WA