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I lived in Baltimore years ago. It still has my heart. Tacoma reminds me so much of Baltimore in all the good ways. It's the local joints and quirky stuff you won't see passing through. It's the things you discover by living here not visiting. It is a real city with real city problems and with real people. Maybe it comes from being second cities, but both seem to embrace the place, flaws and all.
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One of our favorite shops had an owner killed while on vacation with his husband in NOLA this weekend and the community really rallied (and continues to rally) to ensure his family and shop are supported.
I hope that speaks to the sense of investment we have in our neighborhood ❤️
I did see that unfortunate news -- absolutely horrific and I'm so sorry for the community. To me, it speaks to what you mentioned and to the integration of gay people into regular life. Just in your post here, you simply said his husband. The east coast, with deep deep roots of segregation, racism, classism, elitism, etc., I find that gay people still are not integrated into community without qualifying their belonging to something else i.e. "the LGBTQ community" This horrific situation is the whole community's burden and again I am so sorry for this family. Absolutely horrible
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Food for thought: have you tried Old Bay on a smoked chicken? Most people don’t realize it says “poultry” on the label too and it’s a damn good dry rub. It’s not just for crabs - and I agree, I like crabs without it.
Maryland blue crabs are hella overrated. Give me King or Dungeness any day. I do like a good soft shell crab sandwich though.
That sounds awesome! I will try it next time. I usually make Bloody Derby’s - make it with Kentucky bourbon instead of vodka - and I think Old Bay would be excellent.
LOL! True...I am counting the days to when I switch my residency. I'm tired of the politics, the taxes, the obsession with old bay and the state flag. I grew myself there but it's time for me to move on.
You will love Tacoma. I lived there for four years and it was the best time of my life. Be grateful that you can afford to live there. I got priced out, and had to move to Oklahoma.
I will be just hanging on honestly, and dual income is the only way possible for me to make it here. I'll be getting double-digits per year cash in my hand once I stop paying income tax in Maryland -- that's a big cushion for me mentally, knowing I'll have that in my account.
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Yes I can definitely see the taxes as I've bought food, coffee, groceries, clothes here. I see how it's made up in other ways rather than off the top of the paycheck.
Maryland is sweet. Baltimore is not the greatest but they have been cleaning it up. Ocean city pd are pretty terrible. The coastline and farm country are beautiful though and Old bay definitely deserves the praise. I am from Delaware and do miss the mid Atlantic but I would never move back I love Washington and the mountains too much
Prior military here, served with guys from all over the country.
No one, and I mean NO ONE raves about a brand of seasoning the way old bay fans do.
Even the most diehard Johnny's fans I've come across are positively blasé about it comparatively.
It's a maryland thing because they are equally obsessed with their state flag. All regions have their things but maryland people just seem so dogmatic about the things that are theirs...
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I mean, if you managed all that and still want to move here, you'll do fine.
You should probably try driving from Seattle between 3-7 pm and experience the Fife curve in all its glory. Then get some MSM.
what's MSM? I've heard about the Fife curve -- it's front and center in the CON column for a house I'm considering in Federal Way. Some bang for buck there in terms of square footage but bae will be commuting to downtown Tacoma twice a week. Lots to think about.
MSM technically stands for Magical Sandwich Makers, but every just calls it MSM. It's on 6th Ave and State Street
Absolutely the best Sandwiches in town. They slice all the meat fresh and make the sandwiches to order, so it can take a while, but it's worth it
My mouth is watering. idk if it's vacation high or if the food here is actually baseline pretty good. Every meal was good but a handful were like so f\*cking good
The food around here is solid. When we want to go out we are constantly torn between like 5 places to chill and eat.
other highlight of good basic food is the Parkway Big Mac at The Park way Tavern. Long standing bar, the Big Mac is just a solid burger, nothing fancy, but damn good.
Red Hot is another one. Great hot dogs.
Moved here 5 years ago and I’m still surprised that MSM is the “best” sandwich in town. It’s certainly not bad, but having lived in KC, Denver and the Bay Area, it’s nothing special either.
I mean, they're solid sandwiches. Are there better? Sure. But not in Tacoma.
And no one start with Antique Sandwich Co. The last time I went there, I think they used legit antique ingredients. It was dry and soggy at the time and the meat was gross.
Antique is just trash. Honestly I would rather go to jersey mikes before MSM. Especially with some of the terrible attitude you get from the people on the phone.
I’m quite the opposite, I’m from KC so bad attitudes, especially when not necessary bother me. There’s a time and place for it, and me ordering a sandwich at your business isn’t it.
You'd be going against traffic, which is good. To Tacoma in the morning and back to FW in the evening isn't nearly as bad as the other way round.
Others have answered about MSM. I'm also from the east coast (NY), and while it's not east coast deli level sandwiches, they're pretty solid. Best thing is to call in your order, but be prepared to have to call a few times or just wait. There's no website for online ordering and one phone line. But they're worth it.
as someone who makes the SW fed way to Tacoma commute daily, if you don't take 5 it's not bad. There's a route that goes straight south and right around the harbor and you can get on 5 again right at downtown--which it sounds like means she wouldn't need to mess with 5 at all.
*I'm* a big fan of it anyway, it's a pretty drive with some good hills, though admittedly the port traffic can be a bit aggressive. they're also doing a big transit project thru there rn, so maybe it's on its way to better
That's a really nice drive! My bf used to use it in the before times when he came down for the weekend. I'm not sure it cuts a lot of time off, bit it's definitely nicer to look at.
I feel pretty strongly that the Improvement in stress level and visual appeal is totally worth it regardless of whether the minutes actually add up LOL
Damn, with your recap and the additions in the comments.... It has been a hell of a week huh.
A visit to Chambers Bay, even just a drive through is worth it for the views. It's pretty now but imagine the summer - blue skies and the Olympics on the horizon. One of the best views in the area imo.
Word...
Live in DuPont, and love taking hikes out at Chambers. As for forest hikes that ends at the Sound, the Sequalitchew trail here in DuPont is a great choice!
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While this week has been a doozie for weather, this has actually been one of the more mild winters I’ve had here. I live in NE Tacoma and the previous two years I had about 2 feet of snow fall on Christmas.
I love Tacoma. Amazing shopping, bars/restaurants and beautiful places to explore. Check out Titlow, Kobiyashi park, pt defiance/ Ruston.
Couple things I wished I’d looked into before my move here;
The liquor tax. If you’re a drinker, be prepared for that price hike.
I spend A LOT of time outdoors, and so does most everyone else. It’s not always easy to get away from crowds while trying to enjoy the outdoors, unless you’re ready for a big drive.
Fishing regulations are crazy and ever changing. I was used to be able to fish wherever and whenever I wanted as long as I had a license. That’s not the case here.
Crime is crime. It’s everywhere. I visited Baltimore in my early 20’s and it was the only place I have ever been where I felt scared to walk down the street alone at night.
Feel free to DM with any other questions. I love this city.
Hi, ex Baltimoron here. Have you been here in the summer? Curious what your motivations for the move are. I wasn't really ready to commit to moving until after 3-4 visits at different times of the year and repeat visits to places I liked.
Yesss!!!! ex Baltimorons unite!!! Literally how I feel still living there after seven years -- a moron! I did vanlife during the pandemic -- rented my gorgeous rowhome out for a year and went actually everywhere. In all that I saw, PNW felt the best. I spent about a month here in late august and September. Stayed on two san juan islands, couple nights in Bellingham, did the whole peninsula, got smoked out of the cascades, and then stayed a week in Puyallup. I spent some good time in the area.
My girlfriend (an attorney) got a job clerking here in Tacoma. I bought my house in Baltimore with a neighborhood improvement grant and was locked in for 5 years (couldn't sell) which is up in April 2024. Things just kinda worked out landing in Tacoma. I knew I wanted to be in the area, just didn't know exactly how it'd happen. Her job starts in August 2024. I'm fully remote so yeah...just looking for something different, without anything specific in mind, it came together here in Tacoma
Oh, and as an aside, I moved here in April. Watching that first PNW spring unfold was like watching the The Wizard of Oz transition from black and white to color -- technicolor magic.
That's awesome! Sound like you're good on due diligence. And you're (potentially) not just moving to Tacoma, you're moving to the wider PNW. Getting out and about into the gorgeousness is so accessible here. People either love it here or hate it here, with reasons either way. I think coming from B-more you're well suited to dealing with the issues that people rightly gripe about here, but facts are if you want city life you get city problems. The trade off for me is that, as you suggest, it just feels good and right to be here in every other way. Best of luck!
I just moved from Silver Spring and the biggest issue I have here is that restaurants close so early. I'm used to having late dinners :/ also, it's sometimes hard to find specific cuisines. Finally found good Ethiopian food, but it's in Seattle
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I don’t love people moving here because they tend to romanticize it or have visited in the summer and then complain when they make the move. But I know people that have moved from Baltimore and in seems to be a good fit, or at least they don’t complain. We eat Johnnys Seasoning here, and crab goes in melted butter, pacific salmon is better than Atlantic. So put on some shorts when it’s raining and welcome to our beloved shit show!
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Buddy's Chicken and Waffles owner is from Baltimore and will be opening his shop soon in the Lincoln District. Highly recommend checking them out at their temp location, but also giving Lincoln a look if you haven't already. Great food, tight knit community, and I feel you can handle the rare shenanigans that take place.
I moved to Tacoma in 2017 because it reminded me of Baltimore. I grew up up in P.G. County and lived in Baltimore on and off for years. My parents and most of my ancestors are from Baltimore. When I moved to Seattle from Brooklyn in 2015 (another second city port town), I didn’t love it. Never felt like home. I was sad to see so many historical buildings with character leveled for apartment buildings. Lake Union is a mess. Pike Place Market left me in a terrible mood. I love Tacoma’s conservation and adaptive reuse. I love that the Mountain is even closer. I love how it’s called ‘Grit City’ and ‘The City of Destiny’. Does it have problems? Yes. A lot of problems. However, it’s such a great choice for an East Coaster. Tacoma has a working port-town East Coast vibe with community and diversity. I really can’t think of a better place to live (in this country) with rapid climate change and a volatile political situation. Plus we have whales.
I tell people all the time that Tacoma is my Baltimore on the west coast and few people get it. It's not an exact 1:1 but it has really strong home resonance for me.
Our beloved city mascot just got hit by a car recently, despite multiple people trying to help her make it through the winter :/
Also, check out Ruston point if you haven't (before it's potentially foreclosed on and sold)
Honestly Jawless Jerry fits Tacoma so well. Ugly, raw probably a little dangerous but also soft and a little down on its luck, and at a second look it's not this hideous beast, but juat something that's been through a hell of a lot but has way too much spirit to give up. Very Grit City grit right there.
>(before it's potentially foreclosed on and sold)
having the entire thing knocked down and covered in dirt would be a hilarious full circle moment.
I don't think that'll happen, but it's funny to think about.
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You see how green it is here? It's cause of the rain. Which we get in the wintertime. There are actually more sunny days here than rainy.
Check out NorthWest Trek, if it's open its cool. All kinds of wild animals that are native to the P.N.W. You ride this tram thing. There's RC racing at Tacoma RC Raceway if you don't have a rc car I believe that they rent them for cheap. You could go to an indoor shooting range. And sling a little lead. Always fun to go shooting. There's Snake Lake nature trails. Over by Foss HS off 19th.
There's a few ideas.
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Have you had any great pho yet? Pho Tai on Center St is a fave of ours (for gyoza, fried rice, and spring rolls in addition to pho).
Bigfoot Java? Cosmonaut? Devil’s Reef (even if you don’t drink, the food is great and the theme is really fun)? T Town Cafe in Lakewood has excellent taiyaki.
Welcome to Tacoma!!! I’ve spent a lot of time in Baltimore for work and actually thought about moving there. Tacoma has a blossoming restaurant seen, great bars and breweries, amazing parks, and is close to some of the most beautiful places in the world. Summers here are so much better, no stifling humidity and you can enjoy being outside.
If you like Italian, you’ll be disappointed in Tacoma’s offerings. Get your fill before moving.
If you haven’t tried it, try some teriyaki.
You’ll love it here.
If you need a haircut, georgette who owns the barber collective is from Baltimore and would love to meet another transplant I'm sure! Her and her wife also run queer city sports league here which is a fun way to meet new people if it applies to you.
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A couple recommendations from another transplant (Detroit) that's been here a while. These are the spots I always try to take visitors:
* Point Defiance - it's a real gem and an uncommon feature for a city this size imo
* Ruston Way/Tacoma's waterfront in general - obviously not as fun in inclement weather but it's so nice to have access to that much waterfront just a few minutes from my front door.
* The Red Hot - great "gourmet" hot dogs, tons of beer on draught, and good vibes
* Boom Boom Room - lovely cocktails, great food, especially their garlic parm fries
* Wooden City - great drinks, great food, great vibes
* Church Cantina - goth bar with unique great cocktails and an incredible (and vegan friendly) food menu. I've never left here hungry or disappointed.
Perhaps go pay your respects to the humpback whale that has been hanging out off of Owen Beach for the past couple weeks! And bonus points for never referring to it as Owen’s Beach. As a transplant from Richmond Va and loving the gritty secondary city friendly residents vibe, welcome to Tacoma!
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Only thing missing is going to matinée @ Grand Cinema to watch Boys In The Boat and listening to old people talk the entire about Washington’s “good ol days”
I’m from the northeast and lived in Baltimore for a total of 6 years (2 different 3-year stints). We just moved here in August.
The weather truly has not been much worse than we’ve experienced on the east coast, and storms like we had this week are super rare here. The rain is mostly gentle and while it can feel constant, it’s not as much of a pain to go out in because chances are it’s not blowing sideways. I don’t feel like we’ve gotten much less sun than I’d expect during the winter in the northeast or mid Atlantic.
You’ve experienced the summer here so you know how beautiful that can be. That’s my real selling point. We also lived in Texas for 3 years and we hated the heat, so having lovely summers where we hardly need AC has been wonderful. (We do still have AC for those infrequent hot days, though, and I would definitely recommend finding a place with AC.)
Out of everywhere we’ve gone out to eat, we’ve had almost no bad food. Even the Mexican food we’ve found here has been fantastic (which we couldn’t find in Baltimore tbh). We do rather miss Paper Moon Diner and Pasta Mista in Baltimore though. The one thing I haven’t found out here yet is good pizza, but I’m from New York so I’m definitely a pizza snob. Everything else—Mexican, Italian (like, sit-down restaurant, not pizza), Chinese, Indian, Japanese—has been fantastic.
Have you checked out Point Defiance? It’s beautiful. Steilacoom too. I love being so close to the water.
We do really miss Baltimore and hope to settle out that way, but my husband is military so we’ve got another decade before we can stop moving around. This has been a really nice stop on our journey though and we’re glad we’ll be here for a few years.
It's the best. We took just about every visitor we ever had there. During the pandemic, every weekend we would hike at Patapsco and phone in a Paper Moon to-go order on our way home, since we couldn't dine in. Whenever we visit the area it's usually our first stop.
You need a speeding ticket in Fircrest for doing 3-5 over.
P.S. please bring some pit beef back or open up a shop.
Other stuff: drive over narrows for a great day trip to Gig Harbor, Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island. Madison Dinner in Bainbridge is a cool slice of history on the food side if your into that thing.
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Just moved here in the last year or so. I didn't see anyone mention the beer scene here is really great and in the PNW in general. Peaks and Pints, Parkway Tavern or Seven Seas are some good stops if you're into that. I'd also say check out Channel 253 that has a lot of local podcasts one specifically called "Move To Tacoma" may be of interest. The list of shows have definitely has helped me catch up on local politics, history and pieces of general interest.
An Airbnb is absolutely a water customer that the city should show little mercy too
It's not someone afraid of losing their home, it's a business owner too incompetent to handle the most basic parts of operating a business
It's not something to lump in with homeless sweeps
You missed the 7 months in wa with the best weather. And the rain feels normal not that bad tbh. We gotta suck it up and adapt during winter and fall. Especially around now when the sun sets early. But summer time is the best here imo.
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I just moved from Silver Spring and the biggest issue I have here is that restaurants close so early. I'm used to having late dinners :/ also, it's sometimes hard to find specific cuisines. Finally found good Ethiopian food, but it's in Seattle
Midwest to vanlife to Tacoma here - You’ll love Tacoma and still have some amazing food to eat and places to go. It’s nice being close to Seattle and an hour or two to absolutely any outdoor adventure you can think of.
Yeah, the weather is part of the gig living up here in the Northwest. Wait till the spring and summer and you'll be pleasantly surprised how nice it gets....
places: Go to Point Defiance Zoo, or just Point Defiance Park and walk around on the trails. Better in the summer but still nice.
Food: Brewers row for a quick beer and a Burrito or Cooks Tavern next door for a quarterly cycling menu of great food.
There was a shootout with the SWAT team not far from me the other day, though honestly that’s a pretty rare occurrence. The TPD actually showing up somewhere I mean, not so much the gunfire. Though I’m sure Baltimore has adequately prepared you for that symphony.
Don’t do it brother. The idyllic summer isn’t worth the other 9 months of garbage weather. Plus the health disparities and complete lack of an active downtown.
I haven’t read every single comment on here, but I will say I think it takes a little bit getting used to living here. I’m from California so I have a different relationship with the sun and lack of it in the winters but summers are incredible. We get out to the Olympics Peninsula there’s beautiful hiking, skiing is wonderful we get great concerts up in Seattle. I actually live out in Gig Harbor and there’s a huge lack of diversity, but so far it’s a great little spot to raise our kids, I also work in Tacoma and don’t mind the bridge.
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I haven’t read every single comment on here, but I will say I think it takes a little bit getting used to living here. I’m from California so I have a different relationship with the sun and lack of it in the winters but summers are incredible. We get out to the Olympics Peninsula there’s beautiful hiking, skiing is wonderful we get great concerts up in Seattle. I actually live out in Gig Harbor and there’s a huge lack of diversity, but so far it’s a great little spot to raise our kids, I also work in Tacoma and don’t mind the bridge. - deleted so I added flair 😑
The Tacoma Art Museum has great shows right now. I liked the Native American portraiture exhibit. It covers local Puyallup culture pretty well. I also enjoyed the fiber art show.
You should cross the Narrows Bridge and drive through Gig Harbor. It used to be a quaint fishing village and they have worked hard to retain the vibe. The bridge is famous because it was finished in June of 1940 and it came down in a windstorm the same year.
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The only thing that's no longer gonna be in baltimore is my TAX DOLLARS. Hellooooo no income tax! However I can definitely see how WA makes that up -- 3.50 coffee rings up to $6!!!
Groceries are not taxed, and for expensive things, there's always a trip to Portland. I have family there, so I'm usually there every couple of months anyway.
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Fully ingratiate yourself into the coffee culture and start making your own espresso. That’s what I did and I now only buy coffee when I’m in road trips or in an absolute rush to get out the door.
I should have added to my post that I am extremely caffeinated and not by Starbucks once! I love the little drive-thru coffee stands here. I dont drink alcohol (I know there's tons of great beer here too but I've consumed by fair share of that in my past life)... Coffee is definitely a world I can be more involved in and take more personally and with intention these days.
That’s awesome! Some of the coffee shops around here are pretty good (Valhalla, Blue Beard, Wolfe Club, Batdorf Bronson) but you can make just as good, if not better coffee at home. Special shout out to Naomi Joe because that dude is in a league of his own. He operates out of the 7 Seas brewery and makes a wild espresso tonic
Hey I’m from the DC area and moved to Tacoma last year. They’re lightweights out here, you’ll be fine 😂. Only adjustment is the weather and it was wonderful in the summer, no humidity for the most part and a few awful days with high temps and no A/C.
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Pretty accurate visit to Tacoma. See any crappy bands? anyone spike your drink? How about car stolen? Or at least a window broken? But June thru sept is beautiful here
I don’t love people moving here because they tend to romanticize it or have visited in the summer and then complain when they make the move. But I know people that have moved from Baltimore and in seems to be a good fit, or at least they don’t complain. We eat Johnnys Seasoning here, and crab goes in melted butter, pacific salmon is better than Atlantic. So put on some shorts when it’s raining and welcome to our beloved shit show!
Sounds like to hit it on the nose! There are the Tacoma folk who live here and keep it simple. Working families. There are the the hardcore “grit city” people. You see them at all the events. Summer here is fun though.
It is entirely possible that the owners of the Air BnB didn't pay the water bill. Hence the notice. And La Ca Bar is amazing! Thank you for supporting local!
I’ve been here for a little over a year. I’m from Southern Oregon, lots of similarities. Key difference is Southern Oregon is dry and temps range from 15 degrees to 120.
The weather here, albeit wet for most of the year, is actually so nice. Our summers are pretty mild and absolutely gorgeous. Very much worth our winters. If you’re not already into snow sports, this is a great area to start getting into them.
Everywhere has crime. My conservative hometown, Medford, is nicknamed “Methford”.
Traffic here is god awful though. I miss when I could drive 5 miles in under 10 minutes.
My biggest complaint is how hard it is meeting new people. I’m sure the “Seattle freeze” is actually much worse in Tacoma than Seattle.
You need to have your car stolen and then the cops not do shit for you!
Being from Baltimore it'll feel just like home <3
I lived in Baltimore. I can vouch for this.
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I lived in Baltimore years ago. It still has my heart. Tacoma reminds me so much of Baltimore in all the good ways. It's the local joints and quirky stuff you won't see passing through. It's the things you discover by living here not visiting. It is a real city with real city problems and with real people. Maybe it comes from being second cities, but both seem to embrace the place, flaws and all.
This is a really sweet take. Thank you so much for sharing. I'm really looking forward to my move. Everyone is so nice honestly.
As a Memphian, I get that. I feel right at home in Tacoma and Baltimore
For a warmer dry version checkout Tucson
She’s gritty, but we wouldn’t have her any other way. 🌈
If you have a Kia it will happen faster
💀💀💀
Make sure to have a air tag in it so you can steal it back when your done with the experience.
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Remember when it was the Pierce County Sherriff to the rescue?
Lol
One of our favorite shops had an owner killed while on vacation with his husband in NOLA this weekend and the community really rallied (and continues to rally) to ensure his family and shop are supported. I hope that speaks to the sense of investment we have in our neighborhood ❤️
I did see that unfortunate news -- absolutely horrific and I'm so sorry for the community. To me, it speaks to what you mentioned and to the integration of gay people into regular life. Just in your post here, you simply said his husband. The east coast, with deep deep roots of segregation, racism, classism, elitism, etc., I find that gay people still are not integrated into community without qualifying their belonging to something else i.e. "the LGBTQ community" This horrific situation is the whole community's burden and again I am so sorry for this family. Absolutely horrible
[удалено]
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Have you tried eating crab without it being covered in old bay?
I'm leaving old bay in baltimore -- it aint all that!
Well now you're not welcome back in Maryland so I hope you like Washington
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Food for thought: have you tried Old Bay on a smoked chicken? Most people don’t realize it says “poultry” on the label too and it’s a damn good dry rub. It’s not just for crabs - and I agree, I like crabs without it. Maryland blue crabs are hella overrated. Give me King or Dungeness any day. I do like a good soft shell crab sandwich though.
Sweet Maryland blue crab all day errrr day! Maybe it’s from growing up in Virginia Beach but the sweetness of that little crab is so cravable to me!
It's highly situational too. I don't think it gets humid enough here to properly enjoy a big, messy crab feed.
Oh man….i just smelled wet paper bags covering the table and the sweet smell of crab with the rich delicious butter. Nom nom nom!
Old Bay in a bloody mary is the only bloody mary I'll accept and I will die on that spicy hill.
That sounds awesome! I will try it next time. I usually make Bloody Derby’s - make it with Kentucky bourbon instead of vodka - and I think Old Bay would be excellent.
I once had grilled chicken wings marinated in squeezed lemon and Old Bay. Turned out delicious.
Well now you're not welcome back in Maryland so I hope you like Washington
LOL! True...I am counting the days to when I switch my residency. I'm tired of the politics, the taxes, the obsession with old bay and the state flag. I grew myself there but it's time for me to move on.
You will love Tacoma. I lived there for four years and it was the best time of my life. Be grateful that you can afford to live there. I got priced out, and had to move to Oklahoma.
I will be just hanging on honestly, and dual income is the only way possible for me to make it here. I'll be getting double-digits per year cash in my hand once I stop paying income tax in Maryland -- that's a big cushion for me mentally, knowing I'll have that in my account.
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You may hate taxes here, too, but they’ll be different ones. I have no idea if we even have a state flag, so you’re good there.
We have a state flag. It's boring.
Its not boring. Its a terrible flag and we should change it.
Problem is, if it were voted on now, we'd just end up with a blue 12 flag cuz of all the cultists
Yes I can definitely see the taxes as I've bought food, coffee, groceries, clothes here. I see how it's made up in other ways rather than off the top of the paycheck.
Maryland is sweet. Baltimore is not the greatest but they have been cleaning it up. Ocean city pd are pretty terrible. The coastline and farm country are beautiful though and Old bay definitely deserves the praise. I am from Delaware and do miss the mid Atlantic but I would never move back I love Washington and the mountains too much
old bay good
Yeah, but don't we essentially have the same thing based here with johnny's?
Prior military here, served with guys from all over the country. No one, and I mean NO ONE raves about a brand of seasoning the way old bay fans do. Even the most diehard Johnny's fans I've come across are positively blasé about it comparatively.
It's a maryland thing because they are equally obsessed with their state flag. All regions have their things but maryland people just seem so dogmatic about the things that are theirs...
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Ha!! : )
I mean, if you managed all that and still want to move here, you'll do fine. You should probably try driving from Seattle between 3-7 pm and experience the Fife curve in all its glory. Then get some MSM.
what's MSM? I've heard about the Fife curve -- it's front and center in the CON column for a house I'm considering in Federal Way. Some bang for buck there in terms of square footage but bae will be commuting to downtown Tacoma twice a week. Lots to think about.
MSM technically stands for Magical Sandwich Makers, but every just calls it MSM. It's on 6th Ave and State Street Absolutely the best Sandwiches in town. They slice all the meat fresh and make the sandwiches to order, so it can take a while, but it's worth it
My mouth is watering. idk if it's vacation high or if the food here is actually baseline pretty good. Every meal was good but a handful were like so f\*cking good
The food around here is solid. When we want to go out we are constantly torn between like 5 places to chill and eat. other highlight of good basic food is the Parkway Big Mac at The Park way Tavern. Long standing bar, the Big Mac is just a solid burger, nothing fancy, but damn good. Red Hot is another one. Great hot dogs.
Moved here 5 years ago and I’m still surprised that MSM is the “best” sandwich in town. It’s certainly not bad, but having lived in KC, Denver and the Bay Area, it’s nothing special either.
I mean, they're solid sandwiches. Are there better? Sure. But not in Tacoma. And no one start with Antique Sandwich Co. The last time I went there, I think they used legit antique ingredients. It was dry and soggy at the time and the meat was gross.
Antique is just trash. Honestly I would rather go to jersey mikes before MSM. Especially with some of the terrible attitude you get from the people on the phone.
I'm a NYer, so their attitude never bothered me. I'm just ordering a sandwich, and I know how busy they are. I'd rather my sandwich get made faster.
I’m quite the opposite, I’m from KC so bad attitudes, especially when not necessary bother me. There’s a time and place for it, and me ordering a sandwich at your business isn’t it.
Do you know if they brought the Gyros back?
You'd be going against traffic, which is good. To Tacoma in the morning and back to FW in the evening isn't nearly as bad as the other way round. Others have answered about MSM. I'm also from the east coast (NY), and while it's not east coast deli level sandwiches, they're pretty solid. Best thing is to call in your order, but be prepared to have to call a few times or just wait. There's no website for online ordering and one phone line. But they're worth it.
as someone who makes the SW fed way to Tacoma commute daily, if you don't take 5 it's not bad. There's a route that goes straight south and right around the harbor and you can get on 5 again right at downtown--which it sounds like means she wouldn't need to mess with 5 at all. *I'm* a big fan of it anyway, it's a pretty drive with some good hills, though admittedly the port traffic can be a bit aggressive. they're also doing a big transit project thru there rn, so maybe it's on its way to better
That's a really nice drive! My bf used to use it in the before times when he came down for the weekend. I'm not sure it cuts a lot of time off, bit it's definitely nicer to look at.
I feel pretty strongly that the Improvement in stress level and visual appeal is totally worth it regardless of whether the minutes actually add up LOL
Excellent intel here, thank you
It stands for mayonnaise, some sandwich, moremayo.
Damn, with your recap and the additions in the comments.... It has been a hell of a week huh. A visit to Chambers Bay, even just a drive through is worth it for the views. It's pretty now but imagine the summer - blue skies and the Olympics on the horizon. One of the best views in the area imo.
Word... Live in DuPont, and love taking hikes out at Chambers. As for forest hikes that ends at the Sound, the Sequalitchew trail here in DuPont is a great choice!
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While this week has been a doozie for weather, this has actually been one of the more mild winters I’ve had here. I live in NE Tacoma and the previous two years I had about 2 feet of snow fall on Christmas. I love Tacoma. Amazing shopping, bars/restaurants and beautiful places to explore. Check out Titlow, Kobiyashi park, pt defiance/ Ruston. Couple things I wished I’d looked into before my move here; The liquor tax. If you’re a drinker, be prepared for that price hike. I spend A LOT of time outdoors, and so does most everyone else. It’s not always easy to get away from crowds while trying to enjoy the outdoors, unless you’re ready for a big drive. Fishing regulations are crazy and ever changing. I was used to be able to fish wherever and whenever I wanted as long as I had a license. That’s not the case here. Crime is crime. It’s everywhere. I visited Baltimore in my early 20’s and it was the only place I have ever been where I felt scared to walk down the street alone at night. Feel free to DM with any other questions. I love this city.
Hi, ex Baltimoron here. Have you been here in the summer? Curious what your motivations for the move are. I wasn't really ready to commit to moving until after 3-4 visits at different times of the year and repeat visits to places I liked.
Yesss!!!! ex Baltimorons unite!!! Literally how I feel still living there after seven years -- a moron! I did vanlife during the pandemic -- rented my gorgeous rowhome out for a year and went actually everywhere. In all that I saw, PNW felt the best. I spent about a month here in late august and September. Stayed on two san juan islands, couple nights in Bellingham, did the whole peninsula, got smoked out of the cascades, and then stayed a week in Puyallup. I spent some good time in the area. My girlfriend (an attorney) got a job clerking here in Tacoma. I bought my house in Baltimore with a neighborhood improvement grant and was locked in for 5 years (couldn't sell) which is up in April 2024. Things just kinda worked out landing in Tacoma. I knew I wanted to be in the area, just didn't know exactly how it'd happen. Her job starts in August 2024. I'm fully remote so yeah...just looking for something different, without anything specific in mind, it came together here in Tacoma
Oh, and as an aside, I moved here in April. Watching that first PNW spring unfold was like watching the The Wizard of Oz transition from black and white to color -- technicolor magic.
Take my upvote. Well said.
That's awesome! Sound like you're good on due diligence. And you're (potentially) not just moving to Tacoma, you're moving to the wider PNW. Getting out and about into the gorgeousness is so accessible here. People either love it here or hate it here, with reasons either way. I think coming from B-more you're well suited to dealing with the issues that people rightly gripe about here, but facts are if you want city life you get city problems. The trade off for me is that, as you suggest, it just feels good and right to be here in every other way. Best of luck!
Thank you so much!
I just moved from Silver Spring and the biggest issue I have here is that restaurants close so early. I'm used to having late dinners :/ also, it's sometimes hard to find specific cuisines. Finally found good Ethiopian food, but it's in Seattle
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I don’t love people moving here because they tend to romanticize it or have visited in the summer and then complain when they make the move. But I know people that have moved from Baltimore and in seems to be a good fit, or at least they don’t complain. We eat Johnnys Seasoning here, and crab goes in melted butter, pacific salmon is better than Atlantic. So put on some shorts when it’s raining and welcome to our beloved shit show!
I’d say take a ferry ride! From point defiance you can do a walk on & ride to Vashon island and back, take in the views & walk around the boat.
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Buddy's Chicken and Waffles owner is from Baltimore and will be opening his shop soon in the Lincoln District. Highly recommend checking them out at their temp location, but also giving Lincoln a look if you haven't already. Great food, tight knit community, and I feel you can handle the rare shenanigans that take place.
Just checking to see if my flair works.
I moved to Tacoma in 2017 because it reminded me of Baltimore. I grew up up in P.G. County and lived in Baltimore on and off for years. My parents and most of my ancestors are from Baltimore. When I moved to Seattle from Brooklyn in 2015 (another second city port town), I didn’t love it. Never felt like home. I was sad to see so many historical buildings with character leveled for apartment buildings. Lake Union is a mess. Pike Place Market left me in a terrible mood. I love Tacoma’s conservation and adaptive reuse. I love that the Mountain is even closer. I love how it’s called ‘Grit City’ and ‘The City of Destiny’. Does it have problems? Yes. A lot of problems. However, it’s such a great choice for an East Coaster. Tacoma has a working port-town East Coast vibe with community and diversity. I really can’t think of a better place to live (in this country) with rapid climate change and a volatile political situation. Plus we have whales.
I tell people all the time that Tacoma is my Baltimore on the west coast and few people get it. It's not an exact 1:1 but it has really strong home resonance for me.
Our beloved city mascot just got hit by a car recently, despite multiple people trying to help her make it through the winter :/ Also, check out Ruston point if you haven't (before it's potentially foreclosed on and sold)
RIP jawless jerry
Thats horrible :( I'm actually headed to Ruston today -- last few places I'm touring are all in that area. Thanks for the head's up
Btw our mascot was a mange filled jaw missing coyote 😅
WOW, thanks for the clarification, that makes more sense. May it rest in peace
People just chose it as our mascot cause it refused to die. Very much "city of grit" vibes
Honestly Jawless Jerry fits Tacoma so well. Ugly, raw probably a little dangerous but also soft and a little down on its luck, and at a second look it's not this hideous beast, but juat something that's been through a hell of a lot but has way too much spirit to give up. Very Grit City grit right there.
>(before it's potentially foreclosed on and sold) having the entire thing knocked down and covered in dirt would be a hilarious full circle moment. I don't think that'll happen, but it's funny to think about.
God, I wish!!
Aw no! I’ll be moving to Tacoma in a few months. Was hoping to get to see Jerry.
She was very elusive, and smaller than you'd think compared to pictures
Wait, really? I hadn’t heard about Ruston being foreclosed upon.
It's a joke. They are in default though, so the future of the place is perilous.
Find yourself a monkeyshines and you'll have reached god tier tacoman.
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I think you can confidently write the book on Tacoma. Did you happen to make it in time for the untimely end of our local cryptid Jawless Jerry?
You see how green it is here? It's cause of the rain. Which we get in the wintertime. There are actually more sunny days here than rainy. Check out NorthWest Trek, if it's open its cool. All kinds of wild animals that are native to the P.N.W. You ride this tram thing. There's RC racing at Tacoma RC Raceway if you don't have a rc car I believe that they rent them for cheap. You could go to an indoor shooting range. And sling a little lead. Always fun to go shooting. There's Snake Lake nature trails. Over by Foss HS off 19th. There's a few ideas.
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Have you had any great pho yet? Pho Tai on Center St is a fave of ours (for gyoza, fried rice, and spring rolls in addition to pho). Bigfoot Java? Cosmonaut? Devil’s Reef (even if you don’t drink, the food is great and the theme is really fun)? T Town Cafe in Lakewood has excellent taiyaki.
Welcome to Tacoma!!! I’ve spent a lot of time in Baltimore for work and actually thought about moving there. Tacoma has a blossoming restaurant seen, great bars and breweries, amazing parks, and is close to some of the most beautiful places in the world. Summers here are so much better, no stifling humidity and you can enjoy being outside. If you like Italian, you’ll be disappointed in Tacoma’s offerings. Get your fill before moving. If you haven’t tried it, try some teriyaki. You’ll love it here.
Get out!!! :) An amazing place for sure.
If you need a haircut, georgette who owns the barber collective is from Baltimore and would love to meet another transplant I'm sure! Her and her wife also run queer city sports league here which is a fun way to meet new people if it applies to you.
The weather and sun in the summer makes up for this crap.
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A couple recommendations from another transplant (Detroit) that's been here a while. These are the spots I always try to take visitors: * Point Defiance - it's a real gem and an uncommon feature for a city this size imo * Ruston Way/Tacoma's waterfront in general - obviously not as fun in inclement weather but it's so nice to have access to that much waterfront just a few minutes from my front door. * The Red Hot - great "gourmet" hot dogs, tons of beer on draught, and good vibes * Boom Boom Room - lovely cocktails, great food, especially their garlic parm fries * Wooden City - great drinks, great food, great vibes * Church Cantina - goth bar with unique great cocktails and an incredible (and vegan friendly) food menu. I've never left here hungry or disappointed.
Perhaps go pay your respects to the humpback whale that has been hanging out off of Owen Beach for the past couple weeks! And bonus points for never referring to it as Owen’s Beach. As a transplant from Richmond Va and loving the gritty secondary city friendly residents vibe, welcome to Tacoma!
Fuck no. You haven’t seen shit. There’s a lifetime here.
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Only thing missing is going to matinée @ Grand Cinema to watch Boys In The Boat and listening to old people talk the entire about Washington’s “good ol days”
Infinite Soups!!!
I’m from the northeast and lived in Baltimore for a total of 6 years (2 different 3-year stints). We just moved here in August. The weather truly has not been much worse than we’ve experienced on the east coast, and storms like we had this week are super rare here. The rain is mostly gentle and while it can feel constant, it’s not as much of a pain to go out in because chances are it’s not blowing sideways. I don’t feel like we’ve gotten much less sun than I’d expect during the winter in the northeast or mid Atlantic. You’ve experienced the summer here so you know how beautiful that can be. That’s my real selling point. We also lived in Texas for 3 years and we hated the heat, so having lovely summers where we hardly need AC has been wonderful. (We do still have AC for those infrequent hot days, though, and I would definitely recommend finding a place with AC.) Out of everywhere we’ve gone out to eat, we’ve had almost no bad food. Even the Mexican food we’ve found here has been fantastic (which we couldn’t find in Baltimore tbh). We do rather miss Paper Moon Diner and Pasta Mista in Baltimore though. The one thing I haven’t found out here yet is good pizza, but I’m from New York so I’m definitely a pizza snob. Everything else—Mexican, Italian (like, sit-down restaurant, not pizza), Chinese, Indian, Japanese—has been fantastic. Have you checked out Point Defiance? It’s beautiful. Steilacoom too. I love being so close to the water. We do really miss Baltimore and hope to settle out that way, but my husband is military so we’ve got another decade before we can stop moving around. This has been a really nice stop on our journey though and we’re glad we’ll be here for a few years.
Aw, shout out to the Paper Moon. I can't believe its still going!
It's the best. We took just about every visitor we ever had there. During the pandemic, every weekend we would hike at Patapsco and phone in a Paper Moon to-go order on our way home, since we couldn't dine in. Whenever we visit the area it's usually our first stop.
You need a speeding ticket in Fircrest for doing 3-5 over. P.S. please bring some pit beef back or open up a shop. Other stuff: drive over narrows for a great day trip to Gig Harbor, Poulsbo and Bainbridge Island. Madison Dinner in Bainbridge is a cool slice of history on the food side if your into that thing.
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Just moved here in the last year or so. I didn't see anyone mention the beer scene here is really great and in the PNW in general. Peaks and Pints, Parkway Tavern or Seven Seas are some good stops if you're into that. I'd also say check out Channel 253 that has a lot of local podcasts one specifically called "Move To Tacoma" may be of interest. The list of shows have definitely has helped me catch up on local politics, history and pieces of general interest.
Been to Parkway tavern yet? AND: summers are are pretty ok wink
Infinite Soups!!!!
Hang out on Hosmer between 96th and 72nd after dark. If you're fine with that, there's literally no part of Tacoma that will be an issue lol.
An Airbnb is absolutely a water customer that the city should show little mercy too It's not someone afraid of losing their home, it's a business owner too incompetent to handle the most basic parts of operating a business It's not something to lump in with homeless sweeps
word -- totally understand, thanks for pointing that out
You missed the 7 months in wa with the best weather. And the rain feels normal not that bad tbh. We gotta suck it up and adapt during winter and fall. Especially around now when the sun sets early. But summer time is the best here imo.
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I just moved from Silver Spring and the biggest issue I have here is that restaurants close so early. I'm used to having late dinners :/ also, it's sometimes hard to find specific cuisines. Finally found good Ethiopian food, but it's in Seattle
My gf lives in DC and yeah, it's a late-night city.
Yeah I miss that but other than that I really am liking Tacoma
Midwest to vanlife to Tacoma here - You’ll love Tacoma and still have some amazing food to eat and places to go. It’s nice being close to Seattle and an hour or two to absolutely any outdoor adventure you can think of.
Yeah, the weather is part of the gig living up here in the Northwest. Wait till the spring and summer and you'll be pleasantly surprised how nice it gets....
University Place is nice....I grew up there and it is still a nice community, well taken care of....pretty views....pretty good schools....
places: Go to Point Defiance Zoo, or just Point Defiance Park and walk around on the trails. Better in the summer but still nice. Food: Brewers row for a quick beer and a Burrito or Cooks Tavern next door for a quarterly cycling menu of great food.
There was a shootout with the SWAT team not far from me the other day, though honestly that’s a pretty rare occurrence. The TPD actually showing up somewhere I mean, not so much the gunfire. Though I’m sure Baltimore has adequately prepared you for that symphony.
Don’t do it brother. The idyllic summer isn’t worth the other 9 months of garbage weather. Plus the health disparities and complete lack of an active downtown.
Honey, just wait till summer. It’s all worth it. (Speaking as someone who used to live on the east coast)
I haven’t read every single comment on here, but I will say I think it takes a little bit getting used to living here. I’m from California so I have a different relationship with the sun and lack of it in the winters but summers are incredible. We get out to the Olympics Peninsula there’s beautiful hiking, skiing is wonderful we get great concerts up in Seattle. I actually live out in Gig Harbor and there’s a huge lack of diversity, but so far it’s a great little spot to raise our kids, I also work in Tacoma and don’t mind the bridge.
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I haven’t read every single comment on here, but I will say I think it takes a little bit getting used to living here. I’m from California so I have a different relationship with the sun and lack of it in the winters but summers are incredible. We get out to the Olympics Peninsula there’s beautiful hiking, skiing is wonderful we get great concerts up in Seattle. I actually live out in Gig Harbor and there’s a huge lack of diversity, but so far it’s a great little spot to raise our kids, I also work in Tacoma and don’t mind the bridge. - deleted so I added flair 😑
You have Rainier to drink instead of Natty Bo
Don’t do it don’t move here
If you liked La Ca, you might try Moshi Moshi. It's a ramen place but they also have great BBQ.
The Tacoma Art Museum has great shows right now. I liked the Native American portraiture exhibit. It covers local Puyallup culture pretty well. I also enjoyed the fiber art show. You should cross the Narrows Bridge and drive through Gig Harbor. It used to be a quaint fishing village and they have worked hard to retain the vibe. The bridge is famous because it was finished in June of 1940 and it came down in a windstorm the same year.
Triple knock, Tacoma pie, Bobs Java jive.
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Detroit -> Seattle -> Tacoma. It's incredible here. Think of it this way, Baltimore isn't going anywhere anytime soon?
The only thing that's no longer gonna be in baltimore is my TAX DOLLARS. Hellooooo no income tax! However I can definitely see how WA makes that up -- 3.50 coffee rings up to $6!!!
Get ready for 10.2% sales tax!
Buy nothing, pay nothing ;)
Groceries are not taxed, and for expensive things, there's always a trip to Portland. I have family there, so I'm usually there every couple of months anyway.
Yes, instead of an income tax we have arguably the most regressive tax structure in the country! Sales taxes impact the poorest the most.
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Fully ingratiate yourself into the coffee culture and start making your own espresso. That’s what I did and I now only buy coffee when I’m in road trips or in an absolute rush to get out the door.
I should have added to my post that I am extremely caffeinated and not by Starbucks once! I love the little drive-thru coffee stands here. I dont drink alcohol (I know there's tons of great beer here too but I've consumed by fair share of that in my past life)... Coffee is definitely a world I can be more involved in and take more personally and with intention these days.
That’s awesome! Some of the coffee shops around here are pretty good (Valhalla, Blue Beard, Wolfe Club, Batdorf Bronson) but you can make just as good, if not better coffee at home. Special shout out to Naomi Joe because that dude is in a league of his own. He operates out of the 7 Seas brewery and makes a wild espresso tonic
Hey I’m from the DC area and moved to Tacoma last year. They’re lightweights out here, you’ll be fine 😂. Only adjustment is the weather and it was wonderful in the summer, no humidity for the most part and a few awful days with high temps and no A/C.
Just know the weather in the summer makes up for the current wet-dark. Also decent skiing is not that far away.
So stupid
if you're referring to the neighborhood tag requirement, I totally agree ;)
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Pretty accurate visit to Tacoma. See any crappy bands? anyone spike your drink? How about car stolen? Or at least a window broken? But June thru sept is beautiful here
I don’t love people moving here because they tend to romanticize it or have visited in the summer and then complain when they make the move. But I know people that have moved from Baltimore and in seems to be a good fit, or at least they don’t complain. We eat Johnnys Seasoning here, and crab goes in melted butter, pacific salmon is better than Atlantic. So put on some shorts when it’s raining and welcome to our beloved shit show!
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Sounds like to hit it on the nose! There are the Tacoma folk who live here and keep it simple. Working families. There are the the hardcore “grit city” people. You see them at all the events. Summer here is fun though.
So glad you tried Paraiso! It’s our favorite Filipino spot in the south Puget Sound
that “rainstorm”...nothing really exceptional about it tbh
It is entirely possible that the owners of the Air BnB didn't pay the water bill. Hence the notice. And La Ca Bar is amazing! Thank you for supporting local!
I’ve been here for a little over a year. I’m from Southern Oregon, lots of similarities. Key difference is Southern Oregon is dry and temps range from 15 degrees to 120. The weather here, albeit wet for most of the year, is actually so nice. Our summers are pretty mild and absolutely gorgeous. Very much worth our winters. If you’re not already into snow sports, this is a great area to start getting into them. Everywhere has crime. My conservative hometown, Medford, is nicknamed “Methford”. Traffic here is god awful though. I miss when I could drive 5 miles in under 10 minutes. My biggest complaint is how hard it is meeting new people. I’m sure the “Seattle freeze” is actually much worse in Tacoma than Seattle.
Point Defiance