Anyone else feel this way? I'm retired and With a population of 42,642, Puyallup is a smaller city. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Should I be concerned? Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. It's not perfect, but the community is solid.
18 upvotes
9 Replies
Benjamin H.
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is traffic. the quality of life is solid. Worth doing your research before committing.
35 upvotes
Jackson Gonzalez
Public transit is surprisingly good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. it's improved dramatically in recent years.
33 upvotes
minneapolis_violet
bump
23 upvotes
Isabelle C.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's not perfect but it works for me. Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Alexa C.
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
22 upvotes
Cooper Lewis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Westside for 10 years. Moved from LA for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is average. We bought in 2019 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
construction is strong here. retail is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are pricey for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
the quality of life is solid. The outdoor scene is tough - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Westside schools are better than expected. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Bugs and humidity in summer. Far from beaches/mountains. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 6/10. No regrets on my end.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
17 upvotes
Jack R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value public transit, you'll love it. The dating scene is genuinely pretty good and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (Uptown) is growing and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Minneapolis, be prepared for the culture shock. job market is completely different here. And Not very walkable outside downtown.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
14 upvotes
Alice Phillips
spot on
9 upvotes
chloe_girl
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value housing market, you'll love it. The outdoor recreation is genuinely challenging and I've found there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. My neighborhood (North) is pricey and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Atlanta, be prepared for the culture shock. outdoor recreation is completely different here. And Traffic during rush hour is rough.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
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