Hey folks, My partner and I are Household incomes average around $93,635 in Tumwater. It's a a smaller city city with about 26,519 people. You can expect to pay around $1,654 for rent here. The unemployment rate is 3.3%, which is pretty low. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years. The school system varies a lot by neighborhood. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The food scene here is surprisingly good. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Night life is decent if you know the right spots. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. Property taxes are high but you get good services. There's a growing tech scene which is exciting.
28 upvotes
5 Replies
Sophia Hughes
As someone who grew up here, I'm still on the fence after all this time. A lot has changed in the past few years though. traffic used to be much developing but now it's better than expected.
35 upvotes
Ella Hughes
100%
30 upvotes
houston_joseph
My experience has been mostly positive. there are trade-offs but the good outweighs the bad. The only thing I'd watch out for is outdoor recreation. Other than that, No regrets on my end..
27 upvotes
Olivia
My experience has been mostly positive. I genuinely enjoy living here. The only thing I'd watch out for is nightlife. Other than that, Feel free to reach out with questions..
19 upvotes
Ellie P.
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in South for 5 years. Moved from Charlotte for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is pretty good. We bought in 2015 at k and it's now worth about the same than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
hospitality is strong here. tech 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 was the best decision I ever made. The outdoor scene is pretty good - 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. South 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. Limited shopping options. Far from beaches/mountains. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For retirees, I'd say this is a 9/10. It's not for everyone but it works for us.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
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