Not what I expected- It could be worse I guess...
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12/10/2018
I just moved here from Colorado due to my job and it's definitely not what I had hoped for. It doesn't seem like a completely horrible place to live like Tacoma or other big cities, but it has been a culture shock for me. I'm used to wide open spaces, challenging mountain trails, abundant wildlife, clean air, organic food, book stores, and locally owned businesses. Puyallup really doesn't offer anything like that.
The only restaurants I'm finding are chain restaurants and fast food restaurants so I just make everything by scratch. There are a couple of local ones, but you have to really search. I also can't find organic hand made artisan bread anywhere. The bakeries only serve cupcakes and the bread I do find still has a few preservatives thrown in. The closest grocery store that offers organic selections are in Olympia and Tacoma. People also don't really seem to take care of their health here nor do they exercise.
Besides food options, if you like to physical activity such as hiking and backpacking, this is not the place for you. The only trail that I found besides the trails at Mt. Rainier are only 5 miles long and it's not challenging. There are sewer drains, trash, and hobos in the parks/trails and I do not feel safe. You have to drive at least an hour to find anything mediocre.
The overall atmosphere feels depressing and dangerous to me. I refuse to walk outside alone. On most nights, we have at least a few cop cars fly past our residence or someone screaming down the road. There is no wildlife and I don't have birds visit my feeder anymore. All I hear is the constant roar of traffic and engines. If you open the windows you just smell exhaust. Also the traffic is horrendous and it will take you forever to go anywhere. Also, there is trash and litter everywhere. I've never seen anything like it. It lines the highways and I'm constantly picking up trash that I see in parks when I do go. I don't know why others don't seem to notice. I guess they're just used to it and don't know how different it is in other places. It's not the classiest of places. My husband and I make it a point to leave this place every weekend and spend it elsewhere. We're both counting down the days until we are able to leave and never look back.
The only plus to Puyallup is it's location to everything else. Otherwise, if I could leave now I would.
Zoe | South Hill, WA