What's there to do in Tacoma?

[Quantess]

My boyfriend and I are moving to Federal Way soon. I'm not too crazy about suburbs, but we are in love, so, I can live in a suburb for him. Tacoma seems fairly suburban.


First of all, let me say that Federal Way streets are the most idiotic thing I've ever seen: Number streets crossing number streets. Every single g*ddamn cul-de-sac and winding road is numbered! And they aren't even consecutive! The streets are each given an apparently random number, in non-sequitur fashion. What the hell is up with that?!
:rant:

My boyfriend thinks Tacoma is a boomtown. Do you think that's true?

Where can I find the character of Tacoma? How can I enjoy living there? I enjoy urban settings, but I also like country life. Suburbs put me to sleep, so I'll need your advice.

[progressivebydesign]

1. Hi!! I"m nearby Tacoma, just over the bridge.

I really like Tacoma. I have friends that live there. The best areas, to me, are in the North end of town. Look near Proctor District, or Westgate, or Pearl street.. above the 16 freeway. There is lots going on in Tacoma downtown in the past few years, and I just read that investors are going nuts in Tacoma and Pierce County right now. It's not the suburbs, though there are areas of South Tacoma that are suburbish. You'll find a lot more interesting stuff than say.. Federal Way, which is way suburbia. Tacoma's downtown and Proctor District and 6th Street are pretty fun, without all the traffic and that stupid faux-hip shit that goes on in Seattle. I like Tacoma because of its access to the quiet side of the Sound.. up the 16 toward the 3. If you like that country vibe, you can drive to it in a few minutes.. toward Gig Harbor and on up the peninsula. I'm still learning that whole street numbering thing up here.. I've figured out in my area that the address number tells you which block your street intersects.. other than that, it's a total mystery! You'll get the hang of it after a while.. it took me a few years.

[Quantess]

3. Thanks for the encouragement.

We may not be moving to Federal Way after all, which is fine by me. I definitely like some of the urban neighborhoods better, such as the north side.

I didn't mean to sound negative about that part of Washington at all. I would rather be living in Seattle, of course. I wasn't excited about Federal Way, but Tacoma is a pretty big area, and there has to be some pizazz in all that industry.

[maxsolomon]

2. umm... the numbered streets are LOGICAL

avenues run north/south, streets run east/west. cul de sac/winding roads would be much harder to find if they just had names. with an address, say 1234 56th Court SW, you know that your destination is between 12th & 13th St. on 56th Court, which is likely off 12th or 13th or 56th Ave., in the SW corner of the city/county. you get used to it. get a Thomas Guide & learn how to use it.

tacoma is a 'boomtown' in that the go-go growth of seattle is spreading out to encompass the entier puget sound. its still stinks. literally.

[eridani]

4. There is a Drinking Liberally group in Tacoma

http://drinkingliberally.org/locations.html#seattle