What are the towns Tacoma and Olympia like?

Submitted by Kaabiiisabeast t3_10jdmo0 in Washington

I'm from a Midwest town of around 200k people and would like to move someplace where i can be near more wilderness. I have really gotten into hiking, camping and bushcraft in the last 8 years and I'm sick of being surrounded by farmland. Tacoma seems like the ideal place with it's size and location, but maybe Olympia would work too with its close proximity desptie being significantly smaller?

I would certainly take a trip to these places to scout them out before moving there, but I'm curious about things I won't see first-hand.

I have an AAS in mechanical engineering and currently make around $40,000 a year and live pretty comfortably in my current hometown. Would I survive in either of these towns? Are there jobs for me there? Is the COL too out of control?

And then what are the politics like? Another reason i want to leave my current state is because its deepy conservative and proved how much it hates women last summer when Roe v. Wade was repealed. I've heard there are some very red towns in west-WA despite being primarily blue.

Thanks!

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shebringsdathings t1_j5jrldj wrote

Ok, so I've got some unique experiences I can share here. I grew up in the area, (admittedly the eastside of Seattle not south) and then I moved to Wisconsin. I lived near Madison for 10 years and loved every minute of it. The people in the Midwest are SO welcoming and caring. Neighbors look out for each other and family/community is a real thing.

Please understand, you are moving to one of the most socially hostile areas. There are nice people everywhere, please don't misunderstand me. However, you will definitely experience some culture shock.

The woods are amazing! It is not terribly practical to live in them. I cannot speak specifically to the areas you mentioned, so I will leave the details to others.

However, 40k is going to be tight. It's difficult to find a rental for less than $1000 a month out here. Gas is $4 a gallon. Eggs are $6. A beer at a pub is $7. I just want to warn you ahead of time about the financial strain, the emotional island most of us live on, and the weather. You know how sometimes it's -20 degrees outside, but at least it's sunny out back there? We will regularly go 2 WEEKS without seeing the sun. Yes we own fewer long johns, but do you have 6 raincoats and waterproof lightweight boots? You'll live in them 9 months a year.

Good luck, whatever you do!

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Apfelwein t1_j5kxw23 wrote

West coast native, I am always so jarred the first couple interactions when I travel Midwest. Like why are you talking to me in an elevator lol, I’m not prepared for this.

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shebringsdathings t1_j5kyjie wrote

The genuine nature and innocence of the Midwest people is jarring! I'm fascinated by what that really says about us.

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Apfelwein t1_j5lauip wrote

Nothing good no doubt.

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rosesandpiglets t1_j5lq5fz wrote

Fair.

But honestly, some places where people seem super friendly, they’ll also talk shit the second you turn your back. At least we’re upfront and honest

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uhhidontcare t1_j5s9uy6 wrote

I’m from the Midwest and actually hate this. Moved to Olympia this year and love it. Funny enough we went on a hike in the Olympics and passed a handful of people with nothing more than a polite hi. Then we passed this older couple who asked about what’s to come on their route (where we came from) and it turned into a ten minute conversation we couldn’t get out of…because they were from the Midwest. Had to do an abrupt “enjoy, BYE!” to get out of it. Definitely don’t miss that shit.

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fatmanchoo t1_j5kxuyt wrote

Socially hostile is the most interesting and yet the the most fitting term I have heard so far to describe W. Washington people.

Emotional island is also correct.

One thing I will add, and this could be a plus or a minus, is that recent reports have WA state adults (adults only) among the highest in the nation for "illicit drug use", and lowest when it comes to substance abuse treatment.

A LOT of people are using... for various reasons.

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Merfkin t1_j5l8u2u wrote

"For various reasons"

$1200/month studio apartments and mental healthcare being a luxury service reserved for the middle-class and up are probably the biggest reasons.

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jesseboyphotos t1_j5k53s1 wrote

You’d probably fit in well in Olympia if your political beliefs are blue. They’re pretty progressive out there. Tacoma is okay but the crime rate is pretty insane. They don’t call it Tacompton for nothing. If seeing homeless people is not a regular thing where you live now, you’re in for a culture shock. The homeless have tent cities literally everywhere in Tacoma and Olympia. Now that I got that stuff out of the way, they both have a lot to offer. A lot of work, great food, tons of outdoor fun opportunities extremely close by. It’s super expensive out here but, depending on what job you land, you should be good. The cost of living is outrageous. I’m in the Army and wouldn’t be able to live comfortably if I didn’t live on the base. One of the reasons why I’m leaving. I’ve been here almost 10 years and I love it dearly, I have a deep connection with this state but I can’t afford to live here anymore. I can get by, but I can’t live comfortably and to me that’s no life at all.

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Haisha4sale t1_j5lv1wi wrote

You've gotta be blue + a little bit more. Jazz hands preferred over clapping, etc.

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checkitbec t1_j5pmubk wrote

It’s interesting, comparing the PNW with the Midwest. I’ve lived in both, so here’s my take. If you are friendly, people are friendly. I’ve actually had more hostility towards me come from the Midwest. “Gay loving tree hugger” has been muttered. But anywhere you go, if you make the effort, you’ll find your tribe. We are actually looking to move out of Seattle and are considering Olympia. We like the uniqueness of the downtown/waterfront area. And you definitely get more bang for your buck there.

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Educated_Goat69 t1_j5p815v wrote

Be prepared to realize the 2 large cities you mentioned are not towns.

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rosesandpiglets t1_j5kjhq2 wrote

Neither of them are towns for one. Secondly 40k is doable, but expect your purchasing power to go way down. South of Olympia sounds more up your alley. Cheaper, good nature.

And anything that isn’t a city will be fairly red. Just like the midwest. That’s just America.

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ak47oz t1_j5kn1xh wrote

I really like Tacoma. It is a lot chiller than seattle, has some cool gritty bars and an industrial sort of setting. 40k anywhere in Washington will be tight, but doable. Maybe check out the job market, 60k will be easier in Tacoma and Olympia. Olympia is very blue, it has evergreen state college which has a very liberal student body. It’s pretty small and out of the way. I’d personally rather live in Tacoma, you can still access nature really easily but it’s more of a city than a town.

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Candid-Mine5119 t1_j5k0aa8 wrote

Check out the eastern Pierce County town like Frederickson. Lots of Manufacturing jobs out there and cheaper to live, closer to wilderness.
Alternatively look north to Everett and Monroe. Western Washington is reliably blue until you get out of the urban area. So this will be more politically red than a city location. You probably need to look for a job at least 25% more to get a similar standard of living.

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kwiknkleen t1_j64ikuy wrote

At$40k if you don’t have someone to share rent etc. it will be difficult.

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j_nemesis105 t1_j5krrj7 wrote

Great suggestions so far; I'll add one. Check out the Alpine Village Apts. in Tumwater on "T" Street. They have studios, my son lives there, and it seems like a decent complex based on the few times I've visited there. They don't show prices online so you'd have to call. That would give you at least an idea of rent and you can go from there. Tumwater is the town just south of Olympia and that location is a straight shot to Olympia's Downtown/Old Town/Capitol area.

I've never lived in Oly but have always enjoyed visiting. They recently built a waterfront boardwalk, and have a nice old town and farmers market. And it's close to nature!

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Montu_Walks t1_j5rsps6 wrote

200k people is a town? According to the census, you need about a 50K+ people to make a metropolitan area.

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