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Eliana Carter moving

Relocating to Tumwater, WA -pros and cons?

Hello, I'm a college student here and The unemployment rate is 3.3%, which is pretty low. You can expect to pay around $1,654 for rent here. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Property taxes are high but you get good services. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. Property taxes are high but you get good services. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood.
17 upvotes

7 Replies

fresno_emma
noted, appreciate it
40 upvotes
Jordan Martin
I work in real estate here and I love the pace of life here. The job market for my field is solid. Feel free to reach out with questions..
39 upvotes
Katherine K.
I've lived in Westside for about 15 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 Boston, I was surprised by job market. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.

A few things worth knowing:
- Decent public transit for the size
- Lots of new development happening
- The dating scene scene is decent

The downsides:
- Not very walkable outside downtown
- Not a lot of cultural diversity

Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for singles. Happy to answer more specific questions..
30 upvotes
Wesley Torres
hmm interesting perspective
28 upvotes
Dylan M.
I'm a lawyer and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is underrated and there's always something going on.
22 upvotes
Nicholas White
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem decent.

I've been here 10 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is traffic. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.

That said, the healthcare is legit. And if you're into hiking, this place is better than expected.

Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Eastside side vs the Fairview side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.

Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for..
11 upvotes
John R.
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.

If you value outdoor recreation, you'll love it. The nightlife is genuinely excellent and I've found it's not perfect but it works for me. My neighborhood (Lakewood) is established and I feel safe walking around at night.

But if you're coming from Portland, 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.
7 upvotes
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