Situated 31 miles to the southwest of Seattle, Tacoma today frequently attracts new residents. This vibrant metropolis of over 200,000 people serves as the seat of Pierce County. It adjoins parts of the eastern shore of scenic Puget Sound. Residents enjoy ready access to maritime activities and several state parks situated along nearby Henderson Bay and Case Inlet.
If you plan to relocate to this community, you'll appreciate knowing Tacoma has received accolades for its excellent pedestrian services. The recently revitalized Downtown area includes many walkways, plus a modern 1.6 mile street car system called "Tacoma Link." It enables commuters from outlying suburbs to use a parking garage to access downtown businesses easily.
Tacoma utilizes orderly city blocks extensively within the downtown area. A county bus system and several ferries serve this area. Residents access distant locations conveniently via Amtrak or automobile. Interstate-5 crosses through the city in a north-south direction and connects Tacoma to Seattle. It intersects with State Highway 16, a major east-west corridor providing access to Bremerton.
Tacoma receives nearly 40 inches of precipitation annually. Temperatures in the coldest month, December, reach an average low of 36 degrees Fahrenheit. The hottest month, July, maintains an average high temperature of 77 degrees Fahrenheit. Residents experience some snowfalls during winter, and many cloudy days. Summers tend to bring sunshine.
Downtown Tacoma underwent extensive renovation during the 1990s. The University of Washington established a satellite campus here in renovated facilities. Popular downtown attractions include a car museum, a glass museum and the Tacoma Art Museum. The city's modern convention center attracts frequent trade shows and conferences. Although the cost of living in Tacoma slightly exceeds the national average, this urban area remains far less expensive than many U. S. cities of comparable size.
If you relocate to Tacoma, you'll appreciate the city's broadly based economy. It offers a strong infrastructure, with available medical and educational services and many retail and service sector businesses. Crime problems have declined significantly since the 1990s.
The city contains a number of distinctive older neighborhoods, interspersed with newer developments. Some notable areas include: Central Tacoma, Ruston, West End, McKinley, Fern Hill and unincorporated Browns Point. Home prices vary somewhat by location. They also fluctuate based upon the condition and size of the property. In general, you should expect to pay more for a newer standalone residence in good condition than for an attached dwelling or a house requiring substantial repairs. You'll find many rental properties here. People who relocate to Tacoma enjoy a great selection of architectural styles!