I was following a thread from may called "who likes living in Seattle and why?" and saw a post from John who said he lived in Tacoma and recommended it as a good alternative to living in Seattle. I have been reading what I can find on-line and it sounds like Tacoma has been rated as a most livable city and has a growing hi-tech segment.

I am a commercial photographer so I am wondering if anyone has any insights as to the economic growth in the area. I would be self employed and not looking for a job with any one company.

I like the fact that the housing is still affordable and Tacoma is close to Seattle for "things to do".

I know this is mainly a travel forum, but I have seen a few threads from others asking about re-locating to the area.

TIA, Rob Lagerstrom

While we live in Seattle we do a lot of work in Tacoma and know the place rather well.

The city has worked hard to overcome its smokestack reputation, and things are beginning to pay off - with a regenerated downtown and waterfront area, improved transportation, neighborhood improvements, so, yes, it's definitely a place on the way up. Housing prices are still affordable compared to comparably-located areas in Seattle (but then where isn't that the case?) but they too are on the rise, as people discover that Tacoma has a lot to offer.

There are plenty of "things to do" in Tacoma itself, although it still lags way behind Seattle in restaurant, club, sporting venues, galleries, concerts, etc., Remember too that it's still heavily influenced by two giant military bases on the perimeter of the city, so there's a degree of transience that comes with such areas.

One of the more brilliant things Tacoma did was establish a city-owned broadband cable network, that offers high-speed connectivity throughout the town at a much lower price than the monopoly alternatives. So things like telecommuting are way ahead in Tacoma than they are elsewhere.

So yeah - it may lack Seattle's cache, but it's fiding its own identity, and things are looking up. Probably won't be all that affordable for too much longer.

I doubt that those who are attracted to the "things to do" in Seattle, will find Tacoma to be the "most livable" place for them.

If you come and take a look at Tacoma, I don't think it will take you long to figure out whether it is a place you would like to live.

I think Gardyloo makes many good points. But, don't underestimate the distance between Seattle and Tacoma. It's 30 traffic-filled miles between the cities. Perhaps with your job, you won't be working "regular" hours, and will have more freedom to avoid traffic. But for most people, heading to Seattle from Tacoma after work on a weeknight to catch a Mariner's game, go to an art show or eat at a good restaurant is out of the question due to the time the commute would take.

Thank you all for your quick replies.

I am thinking of coming up to catch the Tall ships and 4th activities then spending a few days getting a feel for the city and surrounding areas.

I am more interested in finding a medium size affordable city to live in than in doing much playing in Seattle. I live about two hours from Atlanta and in ten years have never gone there for any concerts, etc.

Right now I am attracted to Tacoma for the mild temperatures, but am not sure how I would handle the cloudy weather. I just know I can't stand the heat and humidity of the South any longer (grin)

Statistically, Birmingham, Al (where I live) gets more annual rainfall than Tacoma, but I understand that we get a lot of rain at once and you guys get it more constantly but not like the thunderstorms, tropical depressions and the occasional tail of a hurricane we get down here.

I am also obvioulsy concerned about the economic conditions. The hype I read about Tacoma on the Chamber of Commerce web site makes it sound like Tacoma is in an upturn and attracting the type of companies that would use my commercial photography services... unless they just use Seattle photographers.

any other input would be helpful. Once again I appreciate your responses and insights.

Rob Lagerstrom

I don't know what Tacoma has to offer commercial photographers, but If Tacoma isn't the city for you, you may find another town you like.

Portland is a good sized city with a very pleasant smaller town ambience and easy access to the Oregon Coast, Mt. Hood, and the Columbia River Gorge.

If you go to Portland, investigate Olympia on your way there.

As a matter of fact, Portland was (is) my first choice. I spent a week or so there back in the mid 90's and it really felt like home. But I have heard the real estate prices are out of control and the economy could be better, so I stumbled on Tacoma and thought I would check it out, then head on down to Portland, and now, maybe to Olympia... and of course noodle around the coast for a few days.

I will be coming up next week, which may not be the best time to get the feel of a city during a normal week, but I want to see the tall ships before they leave. and, it is the only time I can break away.

I really appreciate your feedback and will report back on this forum my thoughts, not just for re-locating, but for the sightseeing, which is what this forum is about anyway!

Rob

My sense is (having worked as a pro photographer years ago - evidently not a lasting career choice) that places like Tacoma might be more fertile territory than Portland or Seattle, due to a general lack of competition in the immediate market.

Of course it depends on what sort of clients you're targeting - Tacoma has some serious global corporations in its general area - Weyerheueser, Frank Russell for instance, plus a huge port operation, things like that, but like everywhere else in the west (moreso in Portland actually) it was caught in the high-tech bump in the road. It's not hot-hot Seattle, but that might be an okay thing for someone trying to establish a local identity. I suppose all actors want to go to Broadway when they first get their drivers licenses, but not sure what the fallout rate is compared to those who start in regional theatre and move up. Actually, I do think I know.

You're right about the rainfall, but when it's clear it's something else. One thing many people don't understand about the wet side cities is that you're never more than a couple of hours from sunny desert, 12 months out of the year, across the Cascades. I don't know where you can drive in two hours from Birmingham where you can completely escape heat and humidity in August.

There's no substitute for boots on the ground. C'mon out, and have a good time. The weather forecast is ... er... cloudy. Oh, and the ships are sort of tall... only a couple of the wowsers. Not NYC on 7/4/76, shall we say...

I agree with whoever said that during a drive around Tacoma you will be able to decide in rather short order if it is the place for you.

If you don't want to live there, it won't make any difference what the job opportunities are.

Count me another local who thinks one very quick drive around Tacoma will show you if it is a place you would want to live. I would favorably consider Olympia over Tacoma.

My viewpoint is that Seattle is not a single huge city, rather made up of very strong districts. Each with different personalities, housing prices, ammenities, citizens, etc.

Few people choose to live downtown Seattle proper. Withint the city you will be more identified by your home neighborhood. For instance I don't think of it as living in Seattle... more that I live on Capitol Hill (or in Fremont, or Ravenna, or West Seattle, or Columbia City, etc.).

p.s. Don't count out Portland. It's still cheaper than Seattle and it's a NICE place to live (sorry but I have my doubts about Tacoma).

Thank you Gardyloo for your insights. Interesting that you have been a pro photographer before. What do you do now? You are the first person to mention the dry side being close by to get away from the overcast and rain. But you are right. The closest place to potentailly escape heat and humidity from Birmingham would be about 3 hours up to the smokey Mountains in Georgia and North Carolina, but even in the summer the heat and humidity are just as bad in the mountains, so there really is no place within driving distance.

Suze: Thanks for your comments on Olympia. As luck/fate (whatever) would have it I found out that a guy from my church here moved to Olympia a few years ago to plant a church. I called him today and I will be joining his family and a small group from his church on Sunday for some BBQ. It will give me a great opportunity to talk to a few people and get their opinions about job opportunites and quality of life, etc.

Tacoma mainly came up when I did a search on a website called findyourspot.com. You fill out an 8 page questionaire about what type of place you would want to live (environment, lifestyle, etc) and they post a list of 24 cities that meet the criteria. Tacoma and Olympia were on the list.. and ironically two cities in Alabama came up too, but not Birmingham.

As I mentioned before, my original intent was to go to Portand first nd I will still go there on this trip, but the airfares to Seattle were cheaper and I did want to see the coast from the Olympic peninsula South as far as I can go in my limited time. I have been to the Cannon Beach area, so already know what it is like, so I want to experience some other regions of the coast.

Thanks again, and also thanks for not getting my hopes up about a huge tallships display. I kinda figured it would not be as grand as a New York flotilla might be.

I guess I need to bring more jeans than shorts and maybe a light jacket? I am used to wearing nothing but shorts around here and am looking forward to cooler temperatures.. and even clouds (grin).

rob