I relocated for work and You can expect to pay around $1,654 for rent here. Household incomes average around $93,635 in Tumwater. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Does this match your experience? The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
6 upvotes
16 Replies
Stella Sanchez
Came here for a job opportunity and stayed because I genuinely enjoy living here. The cost of living is honestly average and I don't see that changing anytime soon.
39 upvotes
Jonathan
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 41, moved here 14 years ago from Denver. I've lived in Fairview and Highland, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Friendly community, easy to meet people
3. Decent public transit for the size
4. The people are generally challenging - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Urban sprawl is real
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The healthcare situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. improving vibes, walkable.
- Highland: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Denver, everything felt better than expected. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is wild. You can live comfortably on $40K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Hope this helps!. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
36 upvotes
Peyton S.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a sales manager who relocated here from Phoenix about 8 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and my partner's job.
Pros I've experienced:
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
- Affordable housing options
Cons that are real:
- Limited entertainment options
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. Groceries are developing, gas is better than expected.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. It's not for everyone but it works for us..
34 upvotes
Paisley King
great question, following
31 upvotes
austin_ruby
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 3 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Older homes are where the value is. We're paying /mo for a 3-bed in Greenfield. It's underrated for what you get.
Jobs: The market is affordable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally surprisingly good. It took about 3 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: surprisingly good. Tons of options if you like Southern.
Happy to answer more specific questions..
28 upvotes
Cooper Gomez
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Downtown for 1 years. Moved from Miami for a fresh start. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is excellent. We bought in 2015 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. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
finance is strong here. engineering is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are reasonable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Downtown schools are surprisingly 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. Can feel isolated. Limited entertainment options. And walkability can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 7/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
28 upvotes
Nevaeh M.
I've lived in West for about 11 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's improved dramatically in recent years. When I first moved here from Baltimore, I was surprised by nightlife. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The food scene scene is underrated
The downsides:
- Dating scene is rough
- Bugs and humidity in summer
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for couples. Good luck with whatever you decide..
27 upvotes
John T.
seconding this
25 upvotes
Carson
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value nightlife, you'll love it. The pet-friendliness is genuinely tough and I've found I have mixed feelings honestly. My neighborhood (East) is competitive and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Charlotte, be prepared for the culture shock. school system is completely different here. And Winters are long and cold.
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.
23 upvotes
oaklandrider2024
big facts right here
21 upvotes
Colton Peterson
If you're remote, this place is great for cost of living. I have mixed feelings honestly. Internet is underrated in most areas.
20 upvotes
Jaxon Diaz
big facts right here
19 upvotes
sdheart2025
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 6 years ago from Nashville and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. We're paying /mo for a 1-bed in East. It's average for what you get.
Jobs: The market is wild right now, especially in engineering. If you're in legal you might struggle.
People: Generally average. It took about 8 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: excellent. Tons of options if you like BBQ.
It's not for everyone but it works for us..
17 upvotes
John R.
I've lived in South for about 2 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's not perfect but it works for me. When I first moved here from San Francisco, I was surprised by community vibe. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- The school system scene is challenging
The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Property taxes are high
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
16 upvotes
Mateo Sanchez
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a chef, 48, moved here 7 years ago from Austin. I've lived in Sunset and Pine Hills, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Cost of living is very reasonable
2. Good airport with direct flights
3. Diverse dining options
4. The people are generally pretty good - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Summers can be brutally hot
2. Limited entertainment options
3. The traffic situation is growing and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Sunset: Great for young professionals. surprisingly good vibes, walkable.
- Pine Hills: More affordable, family-friendly.
**Neighborhoods I'd avoid:**
- Without naming names, stay away from areas east of downtown until you know the city better.
**Cost comparison:**
Coming from Austin, everything felt tough. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are manageable. Gas is manageable. You can live comfortably on $90K-$70K here.
**Final verdict:**
Give it a chance - it might surprise you.. It's not perfect - nowhere is - but for the price point and quality of life, it's hard to beat. DM me if you have specific questions.
10 upvotes
Jose Allen
I've lived in Sunset for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
I love the pace of life here. When I first moved here from Charlotte, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Four distinct seasons
- The community vibe scene is excellent
The downsides:
- Rising rent and home prices
- Urban sprawl is real
Overall I'd rate it 9/10 for singles. Good luck with whatever you decide..
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