Longtime lurker here, The median home value here is around $401,000, which is pretty steep. Homes are going for about $401,000 on average. Rent is about $1,782/month for a decent place. Crime rate is something to consider -Spanaway sits at 640.7 per 100K. Household incomes average around $94,028 in Spanaway. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The weather takes some getting used to. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. What do you all think? There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The suburbs are where most families end up. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Property taxes are high but you get good services. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The weather takes some getting used to. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. The city has invested a lot in new development. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse.
12 upvotes
28 Replies
Grace Murphy
hard disagree but ok
40 upvotes
Lydia
Moved here from Phoenix about 14 years ago. it's exactly what I was looking for. Still getting used to nightlife but Happy to answer more specific questions..
39 upvotes
Roman Lee
bump
38 upvotes
dcvibes2024
great question, following
37 upvotes
Cora Hughes
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want pet-friendliness, then yeah this place is great. But if nightlife matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
35 upvotes
tucsonmama2021
exactly what I was thinking
34 upvotes
Charles J.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want cultural scene, then yeah this place is great. But if walkability matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
33 upvotes
Sadie S.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in The Heights for 10 years. Moved from Phoenix for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable.
**Employment:**
government is strong here. construction is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's exactly what I was looking for. The outdoor scene is better than expected - 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. The Heights schools are pretty good. 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. Urban sprawl is real. Bugs and humidity in summer. And school system can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For young professionals, I'd say this is a 5/10. Definitely worth checking out.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
32 upvotes
Carter
couldn't agree more
32 upvotes
Ralph L.
Moved here from Dallas about 8 years ago. it exceeded my expectations. Still getting used to cultural scene but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
30 upvotes
William Martinez
exactly what I was thinking
30 upvotes
Elijah Howard
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem solid.
I've been here 12 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is nightlife. It's competitive and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the nightlife is legit. And if you're into fishing, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Midtown side vs the Highland side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
No regrets on my end..
28 upvotes
Hannah G.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want walkability, then yeah this place is great. But if public transit matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
25 upvotes
raleigh_jeremiah
My experience has been mostly positive. I love the pace of life here. The only thing I'd watch out for is cultural scene. Other than that, It's not for everyone but it works for us..
23 upvotes
Barbara G.
glad someone said it
23 upvotes
Cheryl T.
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 2-bedroom. it's been a really good experience overall. Compared to Charlotte it's decent.
22 upvotes
tucson_allison
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a marketing manager who relocated here from Seattle about 7 years ago. The main reasons were my partner's job and family.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Lots of new development happening
- Strong sense of community
Cons that are real:
- Road conditions need improvement
- Limited shopping options
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are pricey, gas is average.
Socially, it's exactly what I was looking for. Good luck with whatever you decide..
11 upvotes
Cameron Rogers
I've lived in Eastside for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I'm still on the fence after all this time. When I first moved here from Denver, I was surprised by pet-friendliness. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Good schools in most areas
- Lots of new development happening
- The cultural scene scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Chain restaurants dominate
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for singles. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
11 upvotes
Aaliyah Sanchez
noted, appreciate it
9 upvotes
Ella Murphy
big facts right here
8 upvotes
Hazel Gonzalez
From a safety perspective, it really depends on the area. Some neighborhoods are excellent, others not so much. Do your research on specific streets.
7 upvotes
David M.
I've lived in Lakewood for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by school system. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good healthcare facilities
- The job market scene is decent
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Feel free to reach out with questions..
7 upvotes
Adeline Walker
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 1 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Lots of new construction which should help. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Greenfield. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in tech. If you're in manufacturing you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 10 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: decent. Tons of options if you like Vietnamese.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
6 upvotes
Nevaeh Williams
not my experience at all
5 upvotes
Clara Robinson
Renting here right now, paying about /mo for a 1-bedroom. I'm still on the fence after all this time. Compared to LA it's challenging.
4 upvotes
nyc_angel
not my experience at all
4 upvotes
Isaiah P.
Public transit is pretty good here. You'll probably need a car for most things. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad.
4 upvotes
Sophia
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is walkability. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
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