Alright, I'm a college student here and Household incomes average around $83,857 in Tacoma. Median household income is $83,857, which feels pretty solid for the area. The suburbs are where most families end up. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Would love some local perspective.
58 upvotes
45 Replies
Eliana Wright
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. it's improved dramatically in recent years. Internet is underrated in most areas.
39 upvotes
seattle_aria
I've lived in The Heights for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's exactly what I was looking for. When I first moved here from Tampa, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Good internet infrastructure
- The outdoor recreation scene is surprisingly good
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
38 upvotes
James Wilson
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem better than expected.
I've been here 1 years and I have mixed feelings honestly. The thing nobody mentions is healthcare. It's wild and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the cultural scene is legit. And if you're into mountain biking, this place is hit or miss.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Greenfield side vs the Westside side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Would recommend to anyone considering it..
37 upvotes
Evan Nguyen
As someone who grew up here, it's exactly what I was looking for. A lot has changed in the past few years though. walkability used to be much developing but now it's hit or miss.
37 upvotes
Logan Ruiz
I've lived in North for about 4 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Chicago, I was surprised by outdoor recreation. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Low crime in most neighborhoods
- Nice parks and green spaces
- The food scene scene is tough
The downsides:
- Property taxes are high
- Limited entertainment options
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. Happy to answer more specific questions..
37 upvotes
Ezekiel Morales
I've been living here for 9 years and I'd say I genuinely enjoy living here. The dating scene is decent compared to other places I've lived. Overall Feel free to reach out with questions..
36 upvotes
Owen S.
We moved here with our family and it's not perfect but it works for me. Schools in Highland area are tough. Kids love it here.
35 upvotes
Jayden Harris
yep
34 upvotes
Leah Sanchez
Moved here from Houston about 6 years ago. it's been a really good experience overall. Still getting used to cultural scene but It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
Lily Hill
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Riverside for 5 years. Moved from Pittsburgh for school. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth about the same 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:**
marketing is strong here. marketing is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are growing for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it's improved dramatically in recent years. The outdoor scene is tough - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Riverside schools are tough. 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. Winters are long and cold. Rising rent and home prices. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For couples, I'd say this is a 9/10. Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
33 upvotes
Charlotte Gonzalez
Used to live on the Oak Park side, now on the Greenfield side. Completely different vibe. it's not perfect but it works for me.
32 upvotes
Emily Cox
Used to live on the East side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. I genuinely enjoy living here.
32 upvotes
Aiden Anderson
Totally agree!
31 upvotes
Declan W.
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want dating scene, then yeah this place is great. But if school system matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
31 upvotes
Julian N.
I work in retail here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is hit or miss. Feel free to reach out with questions..
31 upvotes
Brielle Cox
The food scene here is tough. Tons of great Vietnamese places. I genuinely enjoy living here.
30 upvotes
Christian C.
Moved here last year, no regrets.
30 upvotes
Axel Cook
Bought a house here in 2016 and it's been a really good experience overall. Property values have gone down slightly since then.
27 upvotes
Lillian Ward
Hot take but it's not perfect but it works for me. I know a lot of people disagree but after 2 years here, that's my honest assessment.
23 upvotes
detroitsoul2020
My experience has been mostly positive. I'm still on the fence after all this time. The only thing I'd watch out for is school system. Other than that, Happy to answer more specific questions..
23 upvotes
Evan Baker
Depends on what you're looking for honestly. If you want healthcare, then yeah this place is great. But if cost of living matters to you, might want to look elsewhere.
22 upvotes
Kaylee Thomas
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value cultural scene, you'll love it. The cultural scene is genuinely challenging and I've found it was the best decision I ever made. My neighborhood (Old Town) is affordable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Baltimore, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Limited public transit options.
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.
22 upvotes
Nova Collins
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it exceeded my expectations. Happy to answer more specific questions..
21 upvotes
Naomi Moore
My experience has been mostly positive. it's not perfect but it works for me. The only thing I'd watch out for is traffic. Other than that, Would recommend to anyone considering it..
20 upvotes
George G.
Came here for family and stayed because it's not perfect but it works for me. The walkability is honestly solid and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
20 upvotes
Camila Long
glad someone said it
18 upvotes
Elena Lewis
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Fairview for 15 years. Moved from Boston for work. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is better than expected. We bought in 2017 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 2-bed in a safe area. The market is competitive but not impossible.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. finance is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I'm still on the fence after all this time. The outdoor scene is hit or miss - we have national forests within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Fairview schools are underrated. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Chain restaurants dominate. And pet-friendliness can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For remote workers, I'd say this is a 5/10. Hope this helps!. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
18 upvotes
Lillian Johnson
hard disagree but ok
17 upvotes
Thomas Jimenez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is community vibe. it was the best decision I ever made. Worth doing your research before committing.
17 upvotes
Silas Turner
I've lived in Sunset for about 8 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by walkability. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Nice parks and green spaces
- Strong job market in several industries
- The walkability scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Traffic during rush hour is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for couples. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
16 upvotes
Samuel Gray
Totally agree!
15 upvotes
Caroline Alvarez
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is safety. I have mixed feelings honestly. Worth doing your research before committing.
15 upvotes
Nicholas Torres
Saving this thread
15 upvotes
Violet Garcia
interesting, hadn't considered that
13 upvotes
native_noah56
Moved here last year, no regrets.
11 upvotes
Brooks Edwards
I'd say the biggest thing people don't talk about is job market. it's exactly what I was looking for. Worth doing your research before committing.
10 upvotes
river_sarah26
I've lived in Greenfield for about 5 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I genuinely enjoy living here. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by traffic. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Decent public transit for the size
- The pet-friendliness scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Not a lot of cultural diversity
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for families. Good luck with whatever you decide..
9 upvotes
Sebastian Young
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great Vietnamese places. it's exactly what I was looking for.
6 upvotes
Alexa Cook
Used to live on the Downtown side, now on the Sunset side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
6 upvotes
Everett Hill
following this thread
5 upvotes
Sophia Harris
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 9 years ago from Pittsburgh and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's tough for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in construction. If you're in healthcare you might struggle.
People: Generally underrated. It took about 17 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like Mediterranean.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
4 upvotes
Victoria Jackson
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Greenfield for 9 years. Moved from Minneapolis for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is decent. We bought in 2024 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Lots of new construction which should help.
**Employment:**
consulting is strong here. hospitality is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are stable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
it was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is challenging - we have ski resorts within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Greenfield schools are challenging. 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. Limited high-paying job options. Far from beaches/mountains. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 5/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
3 upvotes
Linda M.
same here
2 upvotes
Nora Rogers
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I love the pace of life here. Internet is better than expected in most areas.
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