Curious what people think. Crime rate is something to consider -Tumwater sits at 302.1 per 100K. With a population of 26,519, Tumwater is a smaller city. The city has invested a lot in new development. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. Worth the trade-offs? I'd say it's better for families than young singles. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The city has invested a lot in new development. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
11 upvotes
7 Replies
Kathryn J.
spot on
37 upvotes
noah_lover
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a contractor, 31, moved here 8 years ago from Tampa. I've lived in Cedar Grove and Fairview, and traveled to most parts of the metro.
**What I love:**
1. Good schools in most areas
2. Decent public transit for the size
3. Close to major attractions
4. The people are generally hit or miss - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Traffic during rush hour is rough
2. Limited high-paying job options
3. The cost of living situation is reasonable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Cedar Grove: Great for remote workers. better than expected vibes, walkable.
- Fairview: 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 Tampa, everything felt surprisingly good. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are wild. Gas is stable. You can live comfortably on $60K-$140K here.
**Final verdict:**
Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. 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.
34 upvotes
Roman Rodriguez
I work in education here and I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. No regrets on my end..
26 upvotes
Brandon R.
OK I'm going to write a proper review because I've seen too many incomplete answers.
Background: I'm a accountant, 41, moved here 14 years ago from Boston. 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 solid - I found my community within the first year
**What I don't love:**
1. Can feel isolated
2. Bugs and humidity in summer
3. The weather situation is manageable and doesn't seem to be improving
**Neighborhoods I'd recommend:**
- Fairview: Great for families. surprisingly good 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 Boston, everything felt solid. Rent is about /mo. Groceries are growing. Gas is established. You can live comfortably on $70K-$150K 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
Hannah T.
Used to live on the Riverside side, now on the North side. Completely different vibe. it exceeded my expectations.
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