Living In Tacoma Washington | one year update 

I can easily say the same! It’s got it’s problems but it’s by far the most beautiful place I’ve ever lived in. ✨💕

@@AmandaAwakens Wonderful, and i wish you the most happiness!

Thanks

Yes, Tacoma is awesome! I think my favorite part about the city is that even though it's technically a big city, it feels like a small town. People are far friendlier than in Seattle and I love how close Tacoma is to so many amazing sites.

Oh how I was I was a native Tacoman to have been able to grow up in such a beautiful place! You’re very fortunate in that sense. And thank you! My attitude isn’t always as positive lol but it’s really just a reflection of how I feel about my new home (the good and the bad). Be well and have a lovely weekend! ❤️

Oooh I’m so curious about the Ruston Complex. It looks beautiful but definitely super pricey. So glad you found this to be spot on and I’m sure JBLM has a major impact on the racial makeup of Tacoma. Be well!

King County rent is definitely high and it can be expensive too live in parts of wa state

Really happy you find it to be so accurate! I hope you're enjoying your new city.

It's an awesome city! I'm always amazed how it balances being "urban" with being in nature all at the same time. I love the amount of parks within and without the city. It's just a great place.

They really are proud of being from “Grit City” as they call it lol. My boyfriend is from here and before we started dating he hadn’t been to Seattle in YEARS which was mind blowing to me lol. Most of the Tacoma natives do not associate with them folks lol.

@@AmandaAwakens facts I made friends with quite a few people and when ever I would plan to spend the day in Seattle, I asked them what was there to do up there they all told me "We don't fool around with Seattle like that!"

Thank you for taking the time to watch and comment! I appreciate you. I'm so jealous that I didn't grow up in Washington but really thankful to call it home now.

Did you make it back? Im hoping to get back within the next year

Absolutely! Even though it's "grit city" Tacoma feels so much more warm and has a greater sense of community.

Tacoma is awesome! I feel like Seattle & Bellingham are nice places to visit but Tacoma’s an awesome place to live.

Tacoma is super supportive of the arts! It's really a beautiful thing to see :)

This is very true! There are pros and cons everywhere in the world. And really, our homes are our bodies and minds and not our location. It’s all perspective.

Thanks! I was actually out by the Columbia River Gorge this past weekend and it was stunning. I also agree with your other comment about all the parks available in Tacoma. It's amazing! I found two new ones yesterday that I didn't even know about and it's just insane how much nature is accessible to us while living in the city.

@@AmandaAwakens oh I’m so excited that you got to go down there already and experience it. I used to live down there for a while and it’s one of my favorite places.

Aww thank you so, so much! It's such a quick and easy style.

Thank you! I feel so so so happy to be here in this beautiful state.

I drive to Kent to Boeing in the AM a usuall drive is 40 minutes, but morning is 1 hr 15 min!

Awesome! Thanks for sharing :)

Hey, thanks for sharing this! Super helpful. Be well. 💕✨

The term is Tacoman, AFAIK.

Thank you! I’m a huge fan of the area and plan to live here for quite some time. The Seattle Freeze is so true and such a bummer though. Besides my boyfriend all the friends I’ve made are transplants!

They're called the "great" outdoors for a reason! Nothing beats it. Have a lovely day.

Hello, I'm looking to relocate to Washington state and was told the crime rates in Tacoma are very high, are you able to give me insight on this?

Aww congrats on the move and the alignment you’re feeling in your new space. So happy for you! Be well and I wish you continued luck/results based on your wise decisions! ✨💕

Aww thank you so much for watching! I definitely plan to make some more Tacoma videos this summer. Especially as the weather improves. And in general, more videos about Washington. It's got its flaws for sure and it's not a particularly cheap place to live but it's really beautiful and if you can afford it I truly believe you can have a wonderful life here. As far as access to Lewis-McChord base I'm assuming you're asking this as you or someone you love will be stationed there and/or working there? To be honest, I've never been on base and have only been near it in passing. Generally speaking traffic going North is FAR worse than going South. I would highly recommend using your Google/Apple maps to track this (something I should have done before moving out here). Look at what traffic would look like at a certain day and time and maybe use this to see what the "average" travel time would be for you from your starting location to/near the base. I hope this helps! :)

@@AmandaAwakens Hahaha, yeah, I used to work on base, but have been away from the area for about 20 years. Now I would love to go back! Not to work this time, though😄 That is a terrific idea about using Google Maps to get an idea of the traffic! I always use Google Maps when I travel, but I never thought to use it to answer my own question about traffic in Tacoma. I"m an idiot!😅 So thanks again for your valuable and practical insight! Keep up the great work, and I'll be looking out for more of your talks!

Hello fellow NE to PNW transplant! Where were you living before? And what part of the PNW (Washington?) are you living in now? And Tacoma is an awesome place. It definitely has its flaws but I really believe a lot of those flaws (or at least the high visibility and impact of those flaws) comes down to your location within the city.

Awesome! I’m wishing you the absolute best in that transition. Take care. ❤️✨

I don’t think it would make Tacoma perfect lol but boy would it be a lot better. It would be so nice if you could just take the light rail across the city or at least more parts of the city.

I totally agree! All of the close friends I’ve made are all transplants. It seems very difficult to make friends with people who are from the area but I found it easier to make friends with Tacomans than Seattleites for sure. Be well and happy holidays! ✨

@AmandaAwakens thank you. Yeah. Dating is horrible in Tacoma. People have used the term Cascadian Calm or the Seattle Freeze. Trying to start a conversation or pursuing someone romantically was extremely difficult.

@@donnyramay2635 Absolutely! I hated the dating scene. People can be incredibly flaky.

Hi sweetheart! Honestly I’m not that familiar with Seattle. I know cities like Renton and Bellevue and Mercer Island (20-30 minutes) outside of Seattle are safe options but I’m not sure about within the city. Sorry I can’t be more helpful :(

@AmandaAwakens sorry I meant Tacoma!

@@avakiki10oh well of course! There’s Stadium District, University Place, Proctor, Ruston, and if you’re willing to be a little outside of Tacoma there is Gig Harbor which is ritzy and expensive but very safe! ❤

Of course! Hope it was helpful. Be well. ❤️✨

I am wishing you the absolute best of luck! I believe the best time to come ironically is either winter or early spring so you can see what much of the year is: cool, gray, and rainy! The summer is STUNNING but doesn’t really set you up for a realistic view of Western Washington at least. Regardless you will see breathtaking views. Wishing you the best of luck! ✨❤️

@@AmandaAwakens Thank you very much!!!

Awesome! Tacoma definitely has its downsides and it's far from a "city on the hill" but all in all I really enjoy it and depending on the neighborhood you live in (Proctor, University Place, Ruston, etc.) a lot of the downsides are less visible and less pressing. I'm a major fan of the state.

@@AmandaAwakens honestly I’m looking to move somewhere near water, colder weather, and less hustle/bustle than the greater Los Angeles region. I know traffic is picking up out there….but I plan on visiting soon. Do you recommend visiting during summer and winter for a more complete idea of the city climate?

@@tiffanyriser Thankfully traffic in and around Tacoma is not bad. The problem is heading to and from Seattle during peak hours of travel (6-9) and (3-6). And oh man if you want water and colder weather with overall less hustle and bustle Tacoma is definitely the place! As far as weather goes and when to visit the summer is amazing. No humidity, usually dry, definitely hot in August and early to mid September but overall around the 70s/80s and just stunning. But, I do think it's an unrealistic view of what the rest of the year is like. Spring, Fall, and Winter are fairly similar when it comes to the potential for wetness and grayness and it does get really wet here and really gray. But I haven't seen as many downpours as I've experienced just super gray, DRIZZLY days. And the drizzle is the absolute worst to me even more than the downpour. The downpour can be relaxing and cozy but the drizzle is just the worst lol. I hope this helps!

@@AmandaAwakens wow this was amazing feedback Amanda! Thank you so much! Enjoyed your video and all your help! 🙌🏾✨💕

I cannot answer this as I haven't spent much time in Lakewood and the areas I HAVE been in aren't great lol. But, my partner, who was born and raised in this area says that just like Tacoma there are good parts of Lakewood and bad parts of Lakewood and it hasn't changed as much as Tacoma has in the last 10 or so years. I hope that helps. The best way to figure out how it is of course is to come back and visit :)

Aww amazing! Let me know when you arrive and we can grab a coffee. ❤️

Hi, my son is being stationed there. Are there any recommendations for places/areas to live?

@@AmandaAwakens cool. I’m goin to a concert in Seattle next month.😊

Oh man upstate New York is one of the most beautiful places on the face of the planet. I miss the gorges!

@@AmandaAwakens I live in the suburbs near NYC. Most people think of only NYC when they think of NY state, not aware how different and beautiful upstate NY is. I recall as a kid how amazing the view of the stars was at night.

So glad you enjoyed! I really love Tacoma. :)

To be fair I don't have a lot of experience with the healthcare system here so I wouldn't really feel comfortable giving you advice. I would highly encourage you do a ton of research and you and your husband have deep conversations based on the information you gather. Sorry I can't be more helpful!

@@AmandaAwakens thx for your response 😀

Absolutely! Feel free to reach out if you have more questions. Be well.

I’ve heard of the Tacoma Aroma! I never smell it but I’ve definitely heard of the phrase lol.

Oh yeah please feel free to send me an email if you ever have Tacoma based questions! ✨❤️

And what a beautiful place to call home! Adore that side of town

Hey, thank you for the sweet compliment! There were several reasons why I left. I was going through a breakup, a better job opportunity in the west came along, and I prefer the weather and the overall climate (socially as well) here in Washington!

@@AmandaAwakens all makes sense. Keep up the great work

Hello, hello! Here’s my thoughts: A) Weather can vary based on an El Niño year versus a La Niña year. The former means warmer winters and the latter usually means colder winters. Overall though, the weather is really mild and easy to deal with IF you can get pass the gray and the drizzly rain with the occasional downpours, but from my experience it’s mostly just the drizzle. Spring is wet and summer is amazing but there has been an increase in temperatures but that’s been everywhere due to climate change. Overall though love summer weather and fall too! B) I’m not a clubgoer so I truly have no idea what that scene is like. There’s PLENTY, literally endless amounts of entertainment options between Tacoma and Seattle though, especially in Seattle which is anywhere from a half hour to hour long drive depending on traffic. And there’s a wide variety of options for those who are outdoor enthusiasts, theater goers, sports enthusiasts, art and music enthusiasts, etc. C) As far as moving goes I came from upstate NY and received a $5,000 moving bonus from my school and spent every penny and this was just me moving with all my belongings packed in my car and my doggo. I stayed in three hotels along the way and split the trip up into four days. I hope this helps! If you want more detailed feedback feel free to shoot me an email. Tacoma is not perfect and has a lot of downsides but I ADORE the PNW and at this point I really couldn’t see myself living in any other part of the country. 💕✨

Okay, moving in the summer time is amazing because that’s hands down the best season in Washington! March will likely be more realistic of a typical day in Washington lol. As far as neighborhoods, Fircrest, University Place, Ruston, Proctor, and North Tacoma are all great options. I hope this helps you. ❤️

Hi hi! Yes, there are a lot more rocky beaches than sandy beaches at least in Western Washington. I don’t know if Eastern Washington even has beaches lol. To be fair though the beaches are stunning! I’ve only been to Portland once and therefore can’t say what it’s really like. Many people say though that the problems in Seattle/Tacoma are exacerbated in Portland but I don’t know if that’s true or not but I have heard that pretty commonly from Washingtonians (who could be very biased lol). I hope this helps and don’t hesitate to reach out with more questions!❤️✨

@@AmandaAwakens thanks so much! You’re amazing!

You are so welcome! Tacoma definitely has its fair share of crime but I don't know if it's higher per say than in Seattle but it could be in comparison to size. As far as neighborhoods go, I would avoid Hilltop and the downtown Tacoma area and steer more towards University Place or even the Stadium District and Proctor Neighborhood. Also, there's Ruston and Gig Harbor is about 15-20 minutes outside of Tacoma. It's a very nice area but quite expensive and you will have to go through the toll to come in and out of the city but could be worth it depending on what you are looking to spend! I hope this helps and welcome to the PNW from one southern girl to another.

Thank you so much for the feedback!❤️

Hello! You are so sweet. Here’s some suggestions from my partner who is a Gig Harbor/Tacoma native: Fircrest, University Place, Lakewood (but do research on the nicer areas), Ruston, and there’s Gig Harbor which is on the pricier side by far but super nice and safe. I hope this helps and am wishing your son the best of luck in this transition. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you have more questions. Be well! ✨

I truly appreciate the information. Best wishes@@AmandaAwakens

Absolutely there are immigrants living in Tacoma but I don't know what is the distribution of Central and South American immigrants. It might be best to take a visit and see how you like it. :)

Hello! I hope you have a safe move. Traffic on highway 16 can be rough, but better than i5. Bremerton from Tacoma is at least a 45 minute drive (33 miles distance) and Belfair from Tacoma is a minimum hour drive (with no traffic) and 36 miles distance. Also, there’s the bridge toll to keep in mind. Hope this helps! ✨❤️

SLOWLY lol. But that’s because of my introverted nature. The friends I made were able to make friends far more easily through meet up groups (primarily), work, family, and by putting themselves out there via book clubs, hikes, and other interest groups. My closest friends I met through my job and through Bumble BFF. And now, I’m making friends through hanging out with the friends of my friends, if that makes sense. It is possible but hard, depending on your nature. Be well and happy holiday season! ✨

Oh that's awesome! I was just in Seattle yesterday buying some maps down at Metsker's. I really think Seattle is lovely despite some of the hardships the city faces. Be well

@@AmandaAwakens you right seattle definitely has some things to work on homelessness alot of people out there need better programs maybe some more avenues for the homeless to get them out of their situation its sad

I was stationed there at the ship yard for about a year and a half. If that's why you are going there, be advised it is very slow there.

I don’t think so! I have found Tacoma to be really laidback and diverse and “brown men” are no anomaly in Tacoma or Seattle, if that helps! ✨💕

Hello, hello! ✨💕

@@AmandaAwakens love you content. From a white man married to a black woman, your doing it right. Quality and character above all.

@nowere4579 oh thank you so much! That’s very kind of you to say. ✨💕

I do love it over here! But I have to say that the east side is super beautiful in its own right and I'm sure much more affordable. If you want to move though maybe it's time to start looking into potential jobs and homes :) I'm wishing you the best wherever you are!

@@AmandaAwakens no it’s not affordable that’s what brought me here first was the affordable housing but that changed quickly and it’s the same price as the west side but the jobs pay less ! My job has an office on that side so I would be able to transfer ! I really want to move to California though

It’s definitely expensive here.

this is SPOT on! Tacoma is like a West Coast version of Detroit. Funny thing is, I met a lot of people who relocated from Detroit while living there.

In comparison to black people, yes.

@@AmandaAwakens Amanda, I never could understand people who went hiking or slept overnight in the woods. All these people that spend thousands of dollars to climb a mountain and get frostbite and loose a few fingers and toes. As a white man, I could never understand why white people do that. So, I talked to a good friend of mine, Kanye West. And Kanye told me, White men don't know how to make love properly. Only a black man can please a women. I said, Kanye, please! You gotta help me! Teach me how to make love like a brother so I can please my special lady. So, all that week, Kanye was teaching me, telling me white men are sloppy at sex and they aren't satisfying to a woman. He said, you got to take your time and do it the right way. You gotta get your woman in the mood. Put on some Barry White, make love slowly and satisfying. Kanye taught me all that week. Then when my special lady came back from visiting her sister in Dallas, I surprised her and dropped in on her. She was sleeping in the back room. I put on some Barry White, turned all the lights down low. Slowly eased my way into bed with all the lights off and started, slowly, slowly, satisfying her and working it like a true brother! My lady awoke and said, "Kanye, is that you?"