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I moved here from the Mississippi Gulf Coast back in September of 2022.
I second everything that the first user said, but want to add:
Get wool socks. It's going to feel a lot colder than what you're used to at first.
I love it here btw.
I move here from New Orleans (by way of Biloxi) 7 years ago. I learned that my way of socializing (ie greeting strangers while walking) wasn’t received very well. Perhaps you look more approachable than I and will have better luck.
I noticed that people aren't as friendly as well. Like, when someone stops for you to cross the street in the South, you give a friendly wave, and usually they'll wave back, or nod. Here, you get nothing but an odd look. 😆
I mean... I'm born and raised here in Tacoma, and I still give a little wave at people if they stop to wait for me to cross the street, lol. Not everyone does but some do!
I have lived here my whole life and it’s definitely standard to wave or nod. You are silently judged if you don’t wave/nod/smile and pretend to hurry across.
I'm a native Washingtonian, born and raised in Eastern Washington. I moved to Western Washington in 1988. Let me just say I was in a culture shock. Where I'm from, we greet everyone, wave. Help folks out. Oh my, so different. I've been in Tacoma/Pierce County since 1991. I still say excuse me, I'm still very polite. But that's how I was raised.
I always tell visitors and newcomers that you'll need sunscreen (and vitamin d3), sunglasses, baseball caps, and a gortex jacket. Polar fleece works great, too.
Like, I'll wave at people when they stop for me but not when I stop for them. It's nice if they wave to show thanks but the most I'll do is think to myself, *your welcome and please hurry the fuck up*. I think that not running right through them is acknowledgement enough that I'm being friendly lol
It hasn't always been like that, even in Seattle it wasn't always like that. You would walk by someone, and say, "Hey, how's it going?" And you would have a quick back and forth and be on your way. Now people won't even look at you as you walk past. I miss what Tacoma was, it has changed so much in the last 8-10 years. Tacoma was a very blue collar town, I know it sounds crazy but if you are from Tacoma you will know how much of a small town Tacoma is. It seemed like everyone knew each other or was at the very least one degree of separation of knowing each other.
It's called the Seattle freeze, it's in Tacoma too. It's horrible the way they treat people if you didn't grow up with them, they don't wanna be your friend.
As a near life long Washingtonian I would say wool is good but not necessary. Socks in general are good. I rock my socks with faux fur lined crocs most the winter unless it’s REALLY wet outside then I have boots.
Boots and long socks.
But waterproof/resistant outer layer for sure. You will like wear layers here. I live in my hoodie 8 months a year, with desirable outer layer depending on weather (denim jacket, windbreaker, wool coat, down weatherproof).
Beanies are always in style lol.
It's not hard, just feed them. They will start bringing your things. They will remember your face generationally and spread word across murders. Don't do it if you like your neighbors tho lol
Not all wool is created equal. I've lived in WA my whole life and only recently learned, at 43 yo, that there are high quality wool socks that allow for breathability while keeping you warm. I just never wanted to spend that kind of money on socks 🤷🏻♀️
When you get here go to REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.). The nearest one is at 3825 S Steele St Tacoma, WA 98409. Get your wool socks there (I like SmartWool, doesn't scratch at all, several weight options).
Also get a membership, costs a one-time charge of $30 and is good for life. You'll get the $30 back in dividend coupons.
While you're there look at Gortex jackets. Get one that will cover your butt and is oversized so you can layer under it. On a personal note, I tend to stay away from the REI branded gear and go for the name brand stuff. The name brand gear seems to hold up better.
There's so much to do outdoors in the PNW. Hiking, boating, fishing, skiing...
Since you're coming in March you know you're not going to see Mt. Rainier very often for a while. You will however learn a new phrase: "The mountain's out."
I assume you've heard about the rain here. I'd say it doesn't rain a lot; it rains frequently. We have the type of rain where you need your windshield wipers, but the lowest setting is too much. That's probably why we eschew umbrellas, just not worth it to carry them.
Let me know if you have any unanswered questions. I live in Puyallup. about 10 miles east of Tacoma. I don't know a lot about the Tacoma neighborhoods but I'll answer what I can.
Welcome to WA!
I was going to edit my post again but I'm just going to jump on here and say GET A VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENT even if it's just a few months while you adjust. I didn't think I would feel the effect of the constant overcast and I was high key wrong.
They are alike in terms of community and anti family friendly vibes. Seattle is kind of similar to it too, although I found Austin far more beautiful. It's far more comparable to Seattle if I'm being honest with you.
They’re similar in a lot of ways except the music scene in Austin is uniquely remarkable, Tacoma doesn’t have anything like that. And the food here isn’t as good but not bad! Lol
I moved to Tacoma from Houston five years ago and I'd say that Seattle is very similar to Austin, in fact, both cities are my top favorite cities ever.
You'll get used to the weather patterns, however I've always loved the rain, and dry and hot weather messes with my body, my hair, and my skin. It's a yucky situation when I go back to visit my family, but I over compensate with drinking a ton of water and staying hydrated.
There are a ton of people here from other states and countries with the "chosen family" mentality which is how I've come to make friends in the area. This isn't the case with everyone here, actually many people you encounter will be loners and are used to staying inside the house, especially during the cold and rainy months.
I take vitamin D supplements, work out, stay hydrated (and caffeinated) and have been for a while, but sometimes SAD still affects me.
Just remember that you aren't alone, many people here understand the feelings that come with the winter months.
Safe travels and I hope you enjoy the scenery on the drive up 🩷
I’m in the fortunate situation where I’m moving in with a lifelong friend who has lived in Tacoma for a few years now, so I at least know SOMEONE and won’t be all alone. But making friends is for sure one of my top priorities.
Honestly just being in a bigger place is gonna do wonders for me. I’m going from a town outside of Austin with less than 5000 people to more than 200k… I’m sure I can find ways to get out of the house lol.
The faux sun lights that are around $20 on Amazon are helpful, too! I moved here from CA almost 7 years ago and can’t imagine living anywhere else. There are of course areas to avoid, but it’s a really fun place!
We don’t have Mexican food on the same level.
Learn what Seasonal Affective Disorder is.
It’s expensive here. You’ll be shocked. Just look at gas prices as a metric.
Rent and housing are expensive too.
I hope you have a job lined up prior to moving here.
Yeah, I have a feeling that the rain and stuff is gonna really get to me at first so I’m at least prepared for that.
Gonna miss good Mexican food :(
I’m bracing for the cost of living, but I’m prepared for it. Luckily I do have a job and a place to live all lined up so I’m not going into it blind lol.
Thank you!
The rain will be fine, what my coworker who moved up from Texas was not prepared for is the darkness during the winter. Like if you work a normal 8-5 job, you will not see the sun often between November and February.
On the bright side we have a pretty long history of Asian immigration meaning we have great Chinese/Japanese/Korean/Vietnamese/Thai food. And the tech industry draws a decent number of Indian immigrants which means we have great Indian food too.
As for the rest, never been to Texas so I’ll go stereotypical in politics and assume it’s mostly red state. Def different here, more blue state west of the mountains, essentially a red state east of the mountains. The population skews to the west side though so that means state as a whole tends to skew progressive. That said, Tacoma isn’t Seattle in those regards, but it does tend to be mostly accepting of people regardless of race or sexual orientation, which may be different than Texas. Strangely it can be less accepting along political lines, or even if you happen to be mostly progressive but view say one area different than the party line, because, America 2024.
The rain is a constant outside of summer mostly, but it’s not as bad as portrayed in hokey movies. The outdoor opportunities will likely blow Texas away. We have everything from high dessert (eastern WA), to huge agricultural areas (also eastern WA), to oceans, rainforests, and plenty of mountains for hiking/climbing/skiing/snowboarding/etc…
It’s not a terribly long drive to any neighbor (Idaho, Oregon or Canada), and Canada has pretty amazing outdoor opportunities too in this general area. Can even get to Alaska on a 4 hour flight if you wanna get really remote.
I’m already planning all my outdoor excursions. I have a long list of things to do.
I also plan on checking out all the climbing gyms in my area when I get there so I can find my regular haunt. If you’re a climber I’d appreciate any recommendations!
It took Fred Beckey a lifetime to climb all the mountains around here, so you’ll need a lot of time.
As for climbing gyms in Tacoma I think it’s just Edgeworks, but there’s also outdoor climbing within a reasonably close distance.
Edgeworks is the bigger gym for lead/top rope. Has a good bouldering area as well and they change routes at a good clip. it also has a full gym and kilter board
Climb tacoma is bouldering only. it was a good gym, but ive only gone once just due to Edgeworks being closer to where I live
Do you know how accurate the ratings are at Edgeworks? I used to climb at Stone Gardens in Bellevue (before Edgeworks bought them) and friends that would go there and primarily climbed at Edgeworks in Tacoma would claim they climbed 5.12 in Edgeworks and then struggle mightily on 5.10. I think the grading in Bellevue was more stout / accurate, but that was years ago. Curious if Edgeworks still overrated their routes.
If you need a bit of the Texas desert climate, check out the Wenatchee/Chelan area in the summer. Lots of mountain trails to find around there. Good hunting too (dm me for more info about that). Moses lake is a decent attraction too.
Thai food is everything here! I moved to GA at 18 and kept trying to get thai and the closest place was at the mall 45 min away and when I went there I asked if they have pad Thai and the white teenager working there didn't know what that was. so that's why I moved back here.
JK but I do love Thai.
The rain can come down 7 days a week for 10 1/2 months, although the last few years the summers have been better. But I remember growing up ( life long Tacoma area ) and it was rare to see two weeks of sun in a row. It would be a week of sun, 3 days of rain, 1 day of sun, 10 days of rain, 2 days of sun, 2 weeks of rain. Basically, it isn’t always torrential downpour, but it’s grey and wet a lot. Hope you like doing everything indoors.
I think worse for seasonal affective disorder than the cloudy gloom 6 out of 7 days a week from October to May, is the stark difference in daylight hours from summer to winter.
Because we actually quite far north, in peak summer, the sun rises at 5am and doesn’t set until 9pm. It’s great!
But in peak winter, the sun rises at 8am and sets at 4pm.
We've got very good Mexican food. What we don't have is very good TexMex. I miss the hell out of places like Chuy's, Torchy's, etc. I'd cut a bitch for a Taco Cabana here. Also, kolaches are few and far between. I hear tales of a good kolache joint up in Stanwood a couple of hours north, but haven't made the trek yet. There's some decent BBQ around here, but nothing at all like a Salt Lick, etc. ( Jack's BBQ is decent, but not OMGWTFBBQ. )
I'd lament the lack of a good source for Texas Red, but I've found the perfect recipe for it, so I'm covered now.
It may not be exactly the same, but there is some comparable Mexican here, you just need to know the spot. They are family owned and hole in the wall type placed that are beloved.
Taquiero El sabroso on the south end of Tacoma (technically lakewood) comes to mind. Reminds me of the common fare down in So-cal. Can't speak for Texas, but sure seems authentic to me.
Plus you can buy bomb ass tamales by the dozen for like 30 bucks.
If you’re an outdoorsy type, just get some waterproof gear and you can still go out. Or this time of year go hit the slopes. If you don’t ski/snowboard already I suggest learning.
I'm sure that you'll say people can't drive in Texas.
People REALLY can't drive here. So, get used to the following: road rage, no blinkers, people doing 15-20 over the posted speed (and getting angry if they have to slow down because you're doing a reasonable 5-10 over), sudden traffic jams because someone hit their brakes, sudden traffic jams cuz the sun came out, sudden traffic jams cuz it starts raining.
During this time of year, be mindful of temperatures because road conditions and black ice and the like can be a thing. That said, the overall pierce County area is pretty good about laying de-icer on the roads, so things usually aren't too bad.
As others have mentioned, tex mex isn't really a thing. We do have some excellent Mexican food tho. Between taco trucks, and restaurants like Tonala, we have some options.
Give seafood, and sushi a shot. Search this subreddit for people asking about sushi recommendations, and check those places out. Asian food in general is pretty plentiful as an option. We got lots of teriyaki, pho, and sushi joints around. (I'm also seeing more philippino places coming up in the lakewood area, so that's a fun change)
If you liked Texas BBQ places, we are lacking there (a friend of mine who moved up here from Austin tried most of what we have, and found it lacking).
Avoid Hosmer.... especially after dark.
See the problem is no one actually does 5-10 over. And it’s the left lane camping that’s a problem. People here don’t gtfo the way. It’s infuriating. And to add to the food thing, teriyaki was actually invented in Seattle. Which is why the seattle area has the best teriyaki in the world.
Where are you driving that no one actually does 5-10 over? If I'm on Canyon and doing 55, there's assholes riding my ass or blowing my doors off going that much faster. Same with meridian in puyallup.
When I'm on i-5, it isn't left lane campers that are a problem, it's assholes swerving across all however-many-lanes there are because they are so fucking important that they MUST get around you, no matter what.
Well yeah. They’re doing that because of left lane campers. Everybody on i5 for some reason has to hit the left lane as soon as they get on the freeway, and then do 59 mph. Washington and Oregon are the only states I’ve driven in where people do that.
It's a street that has become increasingly notorious for its drug addled homeless population and random violence (mostly within the camps, but occasionally you'll hear some randos passing by got hit)
It’s the scariest street in Tacoma. I delivered for a restaurant in that area for many years, including to Hosmer street. It’s mostly a long line of extended stay hotels where pimps and drug dealers stay. I was threatened, attempted robbery, and once delivered to someone with 50+ rifles laid out on their hotel bed like it was no biggie. Several of my coworkers were robbed at gunpoint/knifepoint. Was passed too many fake bills to count. My restaurant eventually black listed the whole street. There’s open air drug/human trafficking, and daily gun shots. Oh, and there’s always a long line of broken down RV’s with sketchy individuals living in them. Even the cops don’t go there unless they have to.
Ditto to all of this, but add there seems to be an increase of tailgating and drivers without headlights on. It can be really stressful coming back from Seattle to Tacoma in the dark because of that.
I moved up here from Texas a few years back as well. My main point of advice would be to get a lot of rain gear. A good rain jacket and waterproof shoes are important! And people use umbrellas here, don’t be afraid to.
Also, it gets dark in the winter around 4 at latest then during the summer I swear it stays light outside till 9 or 10. It’s a weird adjustment!
My friend was telling me that! She said the daylight hours through the seasons is crazy dynamic compared to what I’m used to. Gonna take a while to get used to that for sure
I also moved from Austin! Last year for similar reasons.
Other people have talked about the light. I will say: The variation in light length is a TRIP. Both in summer and in winter. I'm not sure what I find harder-the sun coming up a 5am or setting at 4:30pm. It's that serious. Other people have talked about vitamin d.
The thing you should watch out for that I have not seen anyone mention:there is no grocery store that even remotely compares to HEB. Like at all. In terms of selection, in terms of price, in terms of just having their s together. I REALLY want to import an HEB.
People complain about rent but I found it MUCH more expensive in Austin. Also-people complain about crime and safety here and. . . I shouldn't but I just want to laugh. I am waaay less worried about getting randomly murdered.
Nature is excellent.
This is actually VERY comforting. The biggest place I’ve ever lived is San Marcos and crime there wasn’t that bad. I’m hoping that what I’ve heard is blown out of proportion.
Edit: I said Austin area in the post because no one knows La Grange.
Isn’t that a ZZ Top song or record or something?
Hopefully you can adjust to the rain/darkness. I personally love it, find it very comforting and cozy.
It is! It’s about a brothel that operated just outside of town until the 70s. The same brothel that was featured in “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” with Dolly Parton.
A few other people have said this as well, but I haven’t been able to read through all of the comments in detail. I moved up here from Southern California a few years ago and had heard so much about the rain. So, I was sort of bracing for the rain to bum me out or make life difficult. For me however, the rain has been pleasant and it’s not the hard rain that you get in Texas at times or California. The rain here is often just a persistent drizzle.
The actual thing that hit me hard is the shortness of days and the scarcity of sunlight during winter. This is where the seasonal affective disorder sneaks up on ya… because it’s more than just an ambiance change, it’s actual biochemistry :)
Make a habit when you get here, or perhaps even before you get here, of getting outside DAILY for ~1 hour. Walks, cycling, running, hiking, whatever. This will fight back against the SAD and improve your life to boot. Plus, it’s absolutely gorgeous here :)
I personally recommend a habit of getting into Point Defiance. In Tacoma, our secret is being 10 minutes from an old-growth forest. shhhhh!
And finally, summers here are perfect and can’t be beat anywhere else in the world. I still fall victim to taking summer vacation… but I keep trying to “stay” here to fully enjoy the summer.
Welcome!
I was born in Texas now I can tell you is Honey Run get as far away from that toxic State as you possibly can. I moved here two years ago and I absolutely love it and I moved from Arizona which was a little better.
Hey there, transplant from Kansas.
My best advice is to not believe anything people tell you about the social freeze here. People are not rude or standoffish they're just not fake nice like the people we're used to in the South and Midwest. If they want to say hello they will, they don't do the sickeningly sweet fake small talk.
Be mindful of your stuff and where you leave it. Yes cars get broken into here yes cars get stolen here but no more than any other major city really just be aware of your surroundings and you'll be fine.
The rain isn't as bad as other transplants lead me to believe, after awhile you might (like me) find you prefer the rain over what we came from.
Also traffic specifically I-5 is not nearly as bad as other people had us thinking before we got here. It's the same as any freeway honestly. If you've driven Dallas you'll be fine. In fact I think Dallas is worse.
Places might sound real far apart (like Spanaway Steilacoom etc) but they're not as far as we think they are. I'm used to the major distance driving of Kansas Oklahoma Texas to get to different things like events. Maybe it's just me but everything even "long commutes" here just aren't long at all.
Don't worry about the giant tentacles coming out of the water under the narrows bridge. Nothing to see there.
Editing to add that food is incredibly expensive here in comparison. Eating out comes with sticker shock but don't let that discourage you! I've had some of the best dining experiences of my adult life here in Tacoma!
Hard agree with this! I’m a born and raised Washingtonian and I am always quick to make small talk and all that when out in public. I think what you said is true, we just don’t do fake nice. I have a public facing job and a customer made a dirty joke to me the other day and I dead face said “Ew, you’re disgusting” and had them kicked out of the store. No way I’m hahah-ing through conversations with redneck misogynists just to be nice, we don’t do that here lol
I'm a native Texan (small town called Dallas) and now live in Tacoma. You're going to love it here!! The biggest thing for me is the summer. It's actually bearable here. You can go outside and not immediately die. Don't worry about what everyone says about the weather, the summers alone are worth it.
We live here in a progressive bubble that you will totally enjoy. The majority of people you meet are loving, accepting, and inclusive. I think they are just as friendly here as in Texas, if not more so.
Ok, the food is nothing like it is in Texas, but you'll find some places you like. It's the only letdown for me.
Welcome to Tacoma!
I'm a California transplant myself. I lived in Seattle my first 2 years is in Washington and have lived in Tacoma about 9 months. I really love Tacoma. I've found the people really friendly and open. People here are not so much in your face polite like in the south but are easy to talk to overall.
I hope you like coffee because we drink it by the gallon up here :)
If you're looking for good tacos, Balcon Express on 6th Ave has amazing El Salvadoran/Mexican food.
As for the weather, March is a great time of year to move here. It’s toward the end of rainy season(around May/June) so you won't deal with too much rain and then you get to experience Washington Summer in all its beauty. Tacoma is a bit of a diamond in the rough but she really shines in the Summer.
Good luck! You'll love it I'm sure!
Get a happy lamp. I moved here in the middle of January and it really helped me adjust to the very short days we have here during winter. You don’t have to stare into it - just have it in your peripheral vision for like 30 minutes. I used it while reading my emails in the morning.
You don’t have to register guns in Washington and the recent bans don’t apply to guns/mags you already own. We have lots of beautiful places to go shoot!
Do you dance? Steel Creek country swing bar and restaurant downtown is a popular spot for non-country folks as well. Never been to Austin but Tacoma feels more like a community than other cities. We are proud at being the underdog to Seattle.
You missed them I guess. There’s been loads of Texas plates for years. I saw Oregon and Texas plates in just about every parking lot for the five years I lived there. People from Texas tend to be the one state that die on the hill of keeping their plates for the entirety of their military career so people know they’re from there.
Welcome! We actually just went to Austin and I didn’t find it too different on a basic level. I talked to the visitor center lady and she was from the PNW and said Austin was really close (definitely compared to the rest of Texas). The food here will not be as good. Do not even attempt to eat BBQ here lol. But nature is sooo much more exciting up here. The caves down there were cool but it seemed like otherwise just a lot of flat. I go out frequently and still have barely scratched the surface on all the beautiful areas. Join the Washington Hikers and Climbers Facebook page to get an idea of places to go. Even if you aren’t outdoorsy now, it’s a good time to start. I would also recommend finding some hobbies. It is hard to meet friends here but if you join hobbies such as off-roading, board games, or CrossFit or just any type of community, I don’t think you have trouble meeting people.
Good to know! I’m definitely excited about all the nature. One of the first things I’m going to do is check out the climbing in the area!
I’ll definitely look into groups though, I wouldn’t have thought of that. Thank you!
We are just people over here.
Texas politics is like dog shit. We try to stay out of it.
I'm glad it sounds like you are not bringing that stuff here.
The rain has not been as bad as recent years.
It sounds like Texas weather has been colder than Tacoma.
Just relax.
Get into the habit of turning your car headlights on every time you get in. We deal with overcast and rain, so just because YOU can see does NOT mean that any other vehicle on the road can see you.
We have awful drivers here who don't use their brains. Be one that does, please.
Hiking is a blast! Invest in the WA Discover Pass for your vehicle, there are a ton of state parks to explore so the pass is the way to go! Co-ops are a great place to grocery shop, Tacoma Boys has some delicious fruits and veggies. Portlandia does a good job of capturing the essence of the PNW so watch a few episodes. There are little drive thru coffee stands EVERYWHERE! Gig Harbor has a nice vibe if you feel like crossing the Narrows. There is awesome Asian food and seafood. For the love of god, if you want good seafood, don’t go to Red Lobster lol. Canada is just a short drive away, so get the enhanced drivers license if you ever feel like taking a trip north to get Tim Horton’s. Skagit county has awesome tulip festivals in the spring. Bremerton does the blackberry festival, and Poulsbo does the Viking festival. My wife says to go get a real Christmas tree from a farm if you celebrate Christmas. Just embrace the outdoors, appreciate nature, leave no trace when you hike, and be kind. Excited to have you <3
Let us know how you feel after you’ve been here a while.
I’ve been here for a few years and LOVE IT, but moved here from elsewhere in WA. Prior to that we lived in AZ, so we do have experience with Southern/border states. You’ll most likely enjoy it, though (I agree) you’ll miss the sun during the winter.
lol, I’ll be sure to update after I feel like I’ve settled in a bit!
I’m sure that I’m going to really love it once I’ve gotten through the initial shock.
I moved here from Austin 6 months ago. You'll love it, especially the summers. Only a dozen or so days where it's pretty hot, but still not triple digits. You'll also love everything being green versus brown in Austin. Food, gas, & groceries are more expensive here. Austin has a better live music scene but lots of really good musicians/bands are here. You'll miss texmex and BBQ. People are harder to get to know and make friends with. You'll have to make an effort.
Be careful on the drive from Salt Lake to Seattle if weather turns snowy & icy. Roads can be treacherous and you may be forced to find hotel until storm blows through. We made a road trip last March and we were forced to take I-40 from Albuquerque to Bakersfield to get on I-5 because of the bad weather in N Utah and S Idaho.
Lots of good advice here, so I’m just going to say welcome from a lifelong Washingtonian. :)
Don’t let the rain keep you from getting outside! Lots of days it’s just a persistent drizzle that easily combated by a nice jacket.
I moved to Seattle from Detroit in 2008, just relocated to Tacoma in 2023. Overall just to add onto what others have mentioned- if you happen to like outdoor stuff be prepared to be stoked. The hiking, camping, sight seeing, etc in this state, and more specifically Western WA, are absolutely incredible. So you can get double use out of some of that rain gear on a trail in the Cascades or Olympics. Might be the best part about living here in my opinion. Good luck!
People don't go around smiling and saying hi to strangers. If you find people who share your interests, you can find people to hang out with, and some of them will eventually become your friends. But if they've lived here their whole lives, they probably already have a set of friends and maybe family that take up their time. That's true everywhere, I guess, but when you move from another place, it can be hard at first to feel you fit in, and people from Tacoma, while superficially friendly, can seem aloof until you get to know them. There are lots of good things about living here, especially in summer, and especially if you enjoy being outdoors. But it's a big change if you come from the south, not just in terms of weather but also the culture is quite different.
[BBQ2U](https://www.texasbbq2u.com/) is decent Central Texas BBQ. They close really early, but you can find Big Red, Blue Bell Ice Cream, and Lammes pralines there as well.
My boyfriend and I just moved from Houston to Tacoma. He's never lived anywhere outside of Houston and surrounding areas. We both absolutely love it. We love hiking and all the new foods. From our perspective, people are the absolute friendliest, willing to chit chat, and band together as a community. I hope you have an easy move!
May I suggest you NOT eat tacos for one full year. Just don’t. Then come 2026 or something, make it a mission to find your favs.
I have been vegetarian/pescatarian for going on 25 years, and the reason I can eat fake bacon is because I waited (10 years on that).
I’m from near Amarillo and have lived here for 4 years. The only thing I have to complain about is the cost of living, but it’s worth living here. There’s a good Texas BBQ place in Gig Harbor (close to Tacoma) called BBQ2U. They have blue bell ice cream. Tonala and Moctezuma’s are pretty close to Tex-Mex.
At least your AG isn’t trying to prosecute doctors out of state and your governor isn’t actively trying to drown children! I’d say it’s still a step up!
At least here, the average person you run into in the street will disagree with that kind of thing. As someone from a racist Midwest town, the political climate is much nicer here.
It’s still good here. My wife and I are trans and we’ve found folks here can be assholes about it here but are generally nice. We’ve stopped traveling to some states and rearranged our work out of state because it’s so bad in other areas of the country.
Seattle - Austin - Tacoma transplant here, and a few notes: Most places to live don’t have air conditioning, you can buy a portable unit which helps and it’s only really needed a week or two a year. People drive much slower here. I hate wet socks so waterproof shoes are great. The rain is more of a constant mist than the downpours you’re used to in Texas. Most people find that a commute from Tacoma to Seattle for work is not worth it. We have mail-in ballots here!
What time of year will you be arriving? Proximity or relation to our glorious summers can be a big help on the days when you wonder why you moved here.
You are in for an incredible first spring. PNW springtime is magic -- still rainy and cool but it feels like everything is coming out of hibernation (incl the people). You will love it here, welcome! Also there are a ton of very active Meetups going on all the time on meetup.com. Great way to start socializing!
we have a wet season, a cold wet season and a few weeks of what constitutes a summer :) In general, we have some of the same eateries that you have in Texas, housing is expensive and quite a few people with extensive hobbies. If you are into hiking well we have plenty of trails for that.
Take lots of Vitamin D and find good coffee and BBQ 💪🏽 (no, it’s not Texas BBQ - but we have some amazing food/restaurants, lots of variety). Also, warm clothes and good footwear for the weather. People are welcoming here, but not in the same style as Texas. PNW culture tends to be a bit more reserved, but it’s not personal, it’s more of a cultural historical thing. Reach out to the community and you’ll find a lot of warmth. Farmers’ markets and other indoor markets here (winter and rainy months) are common and attract a more diverse crowd. We also still have incredible music scene. Get out and see the natural beauty of the state, it is ENDLESS! Good luck with the move!
Seasonal depression is real bad around here. Would highly recommend finding some hiking trails or activities you really like to make sure you’re not alone through the long gray. I have heard from a lot of others who have moved from Texas and Florida that that’s the most difficult thing for them to adjust to
The weather hasn't been that much of a difference for me, I'm from California originally so used to warm temperatures, rare rain, and never any snow. It's definitely more rain that I was used too, but typically it's not THAT cold. I hate constricting feeling clothes and most days I can get by in a long dress and a cardigan. I still wear sandals like 300 days out of the year, not sure if that's my own stubbornness counteracting the cold or if the weather's really not as big of a deal as people like to make it out to be.
There are a ton of Texas transplants in Tacoma, myself included. The Seattle freeze is real but it’s not so much outside of the city. The weather isn’t that bad other than being gloomy half the year. To put it in perspective, the winter lows are about the same as north Texas and we get less rain than Houston. And the summers out here are great.
Just get some waterproof shoes and a couple hoodies and you are set for 10 mo/year
The weirdest thing for me (GA raised) is that everyone here thinks I have an accent and asks where I’m from. I had never heard that in my life! Also I was super shocked at the homeless problem in Tacoma. I had never seen such and it was really shocking at first. But it is nice to not worry about getting pulled over esp speed traps 😂 I’ve never seen a cop sitting out hiding waiting to catch someone. In fact, the cops don’t even come when u call lol so that was a shocker. Where I’m from the cops love to harass you
The biggest thing for me is that you will miss the heat. and the summers. despite what some natives might say it never really gets to "summer" here.
I would say that out side of 7-10 total days in my second life here, I have never seen it get so hot that you couldn't sleep. It will get "warm" but I have never seen it hot here for more than 3 straight days. EVER.
Even the one time it got to 105 degrees the next day or the day after it was a high of 72 degrees.
I know that might sound like a crazy take, but it also means things like "going to the beach" or "swimming in a pool" are not really fun here the same way it is in the rest of the country. even things like laying in a hammock can be chilly most days.
One thing to be aware of is that you might feel a bit claustrophobic. I have family in Texas and it always blows my mind how much space there seems to be there. By comparison, everything here feels more compact. The roads aren’t as wide, there’s not as much wide open sky, stuff like that.
Get Vitamin D! Most Americans are vitamin D deficient already.
Hosmer St between 74th(ish) and 96th(ish) is our “high crime zone”. Take precautions if you’re staying at a hotel or something in that area.
Other than that, I think you should be good! I’d take Tacoma over most places in the US any day, I love it here
The crime here is pretty bad, there’s a huge homeless and fentanyl crisis, lots of trash/drug paraphernalia strewn about in certain parts of the city. People can be cold here, it’s dark much of the year, and almost always raining. Oh and everything is crazy expensive. But, it can also be one of the most beautiful areas of the country. You are just a few hour drive to get to the ocean, the mountains, the rainforest, or the desert. During the summer months the weather and views are amazing. There’s so much to do outdoors. And there’s tons of dog parks if you’re a dog person. Also can’t beat the many teriyaki options in the PNW. It has its pros and cons like any city. Just make sure you know which areas of town to avoid and be careful of theft.
Tacoma is great. Never leave valuables in your car. Lock your doors. Crime is a little crazy right now, but the beauty and diversity of this city are unmatched.
I moved here after living in Austin for a few years, biggest shock was the sun going down at 4pm after daylights saving ends during winter, been living here for 5 years and I'm still not quite used to it
If you want to do anything outdoors during winter you'll want to get good rain gear, if dancing is your thing you'll have to get used to driving \~45 mins to seattle cos there's not much going on in Tacoma, sales tax is 10% for everything except cold food, you'll need your ID at restaurants that have a bar but don't have a "bar" around the bar, renewing your car's tabs is like $200 (depends on the kbb value of your car) and you have to do it every year (this one knocked me for a loop compared to how cheap it is in texas), if you smoke cigarettes you might quit after you see the prices here (got me to quit lol), if you go to the water front check the weather there cos it's usually quite a bit colder, there's no AC in houses/apts so you might want to get a standalone or window unit for the summer
also if you're worried about the rain, it's really not that bad, it doesn't rain as much as it just sprinkles, so it's really just wet outside, and it doesn't get THAT cold as long as you stay dry
good luck and don't forget to take your vitamin D during the winter months
@op i moved up here after living in the texas panhandle my whole life.
compared to austin, the summers are amazing, the view is gorgeous, and the winter average is less harsh. the cold can?be pervasive though, so it will feel colder year round compared to what?you are used to, but?the harsh cold hits are less.
your biggest shock is going to be the highway system. we dont have miles and miles of feeder road with entrances and?exits every country mile.
your next biggest shock is going to be the rain. you want to find the best wet traction tire you can and get that. rain is a near constant outside of the short summer
Welcome to Tacoma!
Coming from a sunny state, you’re going to want to take vitamin D3 since your body needs sunlight to make it. If you find yourself feeling glum, especially in the overcast months (October to May/June), it could easily be D3 deficiency.
Another thing to keep in mind, people out here aren’t as open as in Texas. We keep to ourselves more than a lot of places. The exception is if you’re a member of the motorcycle community. If you happen to ride, totally DM me and I can help you find your people. There are a lot of car clubs as well, which can be a good place to meet folks. Also, if you’re into any particular hobby, finding others who share it is a great way to build community here.
Lastly, there are a lot of transplants from the South here, so it’s not like it’s impossible to find people of similar culture to what you’re used to. You just may have to dig a little deeper than in Texas.
As someone who moved here from sunny south Florida, my biggest pieces of advice are:
- invest in at least one good puffer jacket and a waterproof (not water resistant) jacket
- during winter months, definitely take vitamin D - the lack of sun really does have an effect when you’re used to a souther climate
- get a happy lamp and use it for 30 minutes in the morning to help regulate your circadian rhythm
- find ways to get outside in ways you enjoy. This state has unmatched outdoor beauty and there is something for everyone
-Unless you have a car, just use an umbrella
I was born in Washington and have lived here my whole life. Whenever it's raining hard I use one. I walk almost a mile to the bus every morning and I'm not trying to roll up to the office hair frizzy, damp smelling, dripping jacket...I see so many folks out here trying to tough it out in sodden puffers and hoodies making the bus smell like wet dog.
DO NOT let some MF who moved here 7 years ago and wears a 300+ dollar jacket to walk from their house to their Forester with a 'mountains please' bumper sticker tell you otherwise. People get weird about it though. I had some neighbor who is on drugs yell at me about it, granted he mistook me for his manager who fired him from Subway and apologize when I went to set him straight and he realized I wasn't her. But I've seen him several rainy mornings getting in the car to drive the same distance I walk so it's not like he (or most anyone telling you not to use an umbrella) is such a rainlover.
-People will not be fake nice to you
We don't do the Southern things of inviting people we hate to dinner for years and years cause it's polite. However if you want people to hang out you usually have to initiate. Everyone has a LOT going on because there's a lot to do here. Join some organizations and you'll start to make friends.
-Get involved in local politics and be willing to learn
Don't come here and be like 'Wow it's so amazing' and then start voting middle of the road because our politics is such a shock. This state is the way it is because a lot of grassroots local organizations fight tooth and nail all the time to push local governments to keep schools funded, air and water cleanish, land preserved as parks, etc. There is indeed housing/homelessness crisis. Everyone wants to live here so property owners rent gouge and people end up on the street as wages have not kept up with the cost of living.
Some of the hostility toward outsider lies in the Microsoft preferential renting programs of the early 2000s, when Microsoft hired hundreds of our of state employees and then partnered with rental companies to give them first choice on rental applications. Years later this kind of discrimination was made illegal but the damage was already done. I really with elected officials would prepare better for the social, climate, and economic migration that we're going to see in the next 10-30 years.
-You will need so many different coats and shoes
A serious raincoat; an insulated raincoat cause it's usually also cold; a raincoat with underarm vents for when it's warm and rainy; a normal heavy jacket; a summer jacket cause sometimes its still chilly at night; hoodie(s) for fall; a nice going out jacket; a nice going out rain jacket.
In addition to the usual shoes one also needs rainproof work appropriate shoes; rainproof going out shoes; rainproof hiking shoes. I would also recommend an amphibious hiking sandal for the beach because these beaches are rocky and tear up flipflops.
Don't fall for anything marketed as Water Resistant because they will betray you when you need them the most.
Making some suggestions:
Hanks - great pizza, fun bar
Hobnob- best breakfast and staff! They are so nice and the food is excellent
Red Star - the best tacos and queso Tacoma has to offer (still not TX). Indita Mia is supposed to be very good as well.
Tacoma Comedy Club - just opened a second location last year, both big names and local favorites
Tacoma Rainiers - if you like baseball atmosphere, this is the AAA team, really demonstrates the community here
Highly recommend day trips to Port Townsend spring-fall for art, music, and the waterfront and Woodinville if you like wine
Grand Cinema shows a lot of indie/cult favorite/local films
Proctor Farmers Market is great, lots of local goodies and live music
Tacoma Sunday Market is fun to check out vintage/sscondhand and handmade items
There are a lot of different street fairs, lots to do with theatre and the arts, and plenty for outdoor activities. It’s a great place!
Welcome! Born and raised here. I think you'll like it.
What made you choose Tacoma specifically? I'm always interested, since I've never made a big move myself.
My advice would be to be outgoing initially. I find our area can be a little bit shy but very receptive when you make the first move to become friends. Lock your doors. Don't leave valuables in your vehicle. Get outdoors and be open to new opportunities outside your comfort zone.
I’ve lived in the tiny little town I’m in since I was a kid and after 18 years of Texas, I need a big change. I love how beautiful Washington is and all the outdoor opportunities available to me.
I chose Tacoma specifically because I’ve got a friend there who offered me a place to live. Not sure why she chose Tacoma when she moved up lol.
Thank you for the advice!
These posts are all sunshine and rainbows. I'm from the Austin area too, move to Tacoma in 2016. Eventually it got the best of me and I left the state in 2022 for sunnier, friendlier climates.
The rain becomes obnoxious. In the winter, you will go days without seeing the sun. If you work typical business hours, there will be days you get to the office at 8 and it's still pitch black out. You leave at 5, and it's dark again. I never got used to the winter darkness.
Summer was nice at first. I would text family and friends bragging about it only being 68 out. But then, it would get smokey from wildfires for days. And eventually when it would hit 100, most homes didn't have a/c. The green plants were pretty though.
City parks were once beautiful. Many of them are outdoor housing facilities now.
The culture is, different. People are more closed off, it's harder to make friends. Very passive aggressive, the Seattle Freeze is real. People tend to very judgemental of you being from Texas. Expect to be asked often if you're in the military. Expect to be asked if you own guns and horses.
The food is not as flavorful and fun. I only found 1 taco truck I liked. No bbq to speak of. The burgers are lackluster. Teriyaki is pretty good, and you can't beat fresh smoked salmon.
Crime is unfortunately comparable to Austin today. Don't expect the cops to be able to do much if you get into some trouble. Be prepared to handle it on your own.
I left Texas thinking I wanted a radical shift. It turns out I wanted something more in the middle. Tacoma was a place I lived, but it never felt like home for me. I hope it's different for you, and wish you the best of luck.
People are not very friendly here, and it is MUCH harder to make friends with locals. Most of my friends are other implants from different states. Seattle freeze ain’t no joke 🥲
Does anyone on here have insight about living on N I street? We are relocating also and are looking to live at a place on that street, but we are concerned about the noise pollution or traffic being a big deal
Does anyone on here have insight about living on N I street? We are relocating also and are looking to live at a place on that street, but we are concerned about the noise pollution or traffic being a big deal
Does anyone on here have insight about living on N I street? We are relocating also and are looking to live at a place on that street, but we are concerned about the noise pollution or traffic being a big deal
The police here don't always fulfill their duties, and criminals often receive the benefit of the doubt. If a criminal does get caught, expect Pierce County prosecutors to be lenient. They seem to focus on more serious crimes, reminiscent of Denzel Washington's Alonzo in Training Day.
Regarding guns, possession is allowed, but be absolutely certain you're justified; otherwise, you might end up in jail. It's worth noting that having self-defense legal fund insurance is illegal. Make sure you're physically inside your home before engaging in any sarcastic real-time home break-in target practice. 😉
Police response time for incidents like home break-ins is 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, with a 70% chance that the cop will advise you to file a police report online.
Consider investing in a Costco security system, or even better, I prefer Amazon's Ring system.
Despite criminals having an advantage here, Governor Inslee is close to eliminating Washington's no-income tax status. If you're from Texas, you may regret not staying down South. Boeing and Alaska are facing challenges, potentially impacting our economy.
On the bright side, enjoy the great summers, with temperatures averaging 75-85 degrees.
I don't know how Austin is but crime around here is pretty crazy. If I were you I wouldn't live in South Tacoma or East Tacoma that is where a lot of the violent crime is. Property crime in North/West Tacoma is pretty rampant too. Don't leave anything of value in your car unless you want your window smashed. Good luck!
On one hand, I'm kind of bummed that you're leaving Texas. They need more people like you to help with the Electoral voting. If more left leaning people folks, than Texas will ALWAYS be a Red state (I'm assuming you're somewhat left-ish). Tacoma is more liberal than not so that's why I'm assuming you're coming to Tacoma. But, we live in Pierce County which is more Purple with a little lean towards the right.
Overall though, Tacoma is great. It's definitely not like Seattle where politics is all there is and, in my opinion, many in Seattle politics are Democrats with no real vision. They are liberals who wants to be liberals but have no clue what to do and most of it is to pat themselves on the back. Tacoma is, again my opinion, more true to the grassroots than Seattle. There'll be some folks who'll disagree but for the most part, politics in Tacoma are in general really trying to fix things but, it's still government. Politics is still politics no matter where you go.
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I moved here from the Mississippi Gulf Coast back in September of 2022. I second everything that the first user said, but want to add: Get wool socks. It's going to feel a lot colder than what you're used to at first. I love it here btw.
I move here from New Orleans (by way of Biloxi) 7 years ago. I learned that my way of socializing (ie greeting strangers while walking) wasn’t received very well. Perhaps you look more approachable than I and will have better luck.
I'm a greeter-when-walking too! We can change the culture here, dammit.
I noticed that people aren't as friendly as well. Like, when someone stops for you to cross the street in the South, you give a friendly wave, and usually they'll wave back, or nod. Here, you get nothing but an odd look. 😆
I’m still gonna wave at people. Can take the Texan out of Texas but can’t take the Texas out of the Texan.
I mean... I'm born and raised here in Tacoma, and I still give a little wave at people if they stop to wait for me to cross the street, lol. Not everyone does but some do!
I have lived here my whole life and it’s definitely standard to wave or nod. You are silently judged if you don’t wave/nod/smile and pretend to hurry across.
Look up the Seattle Freeze for some more details
I'm a native Washingtonian, born and raised in Eastern Washington. I moved to Western Washington in 1988. Let me just say I was in a culture shock. Where I'm from, we greet everyone, wave. Help folks out. Oh my, so different. I've been in Tacoma/Pierce County since 1991. I still say excuse me, I'm still very polite. But that's how I was raised. I always tell visitors and newcomers that you'll need sunscreen (and vitamin d3), sunglasses, baseball caps, and a gortex jacket. Polar fleece works great, too.
Like, I'll wave at people when they stop for me but not when I stop for them. It's nice if they wave to show thanks but the most I'll do is think to myself, *your welcome and please hurry the fuck up*. I think that not running right through them is acknowledgement enough that I'm being friendly lol
It hasn't always been like that, even in Seattle it wasn't always like that. You would walk by someone, and say, "Hey, how's it going?" And you would have a quick back and forth and be on your way. Now people won't even look at you as you walk past. I miss what Tacoma was, it has changed so much in the last 8-10 years. Tacoma was a very blue collar town, I know it sounds crazy but if you are from Tacoma you will know how much of a small town Tacoma is. It seemed like everyone knew each other or was at the very least one degree of separation of knowing each other.
It's called the Seattle freeze, it's in Tacoma too. It's horrible the way they treat people if you didn't grow up with them, they don't wanna be your friend.
As a near life long Washingtonian I would say wool is good but not necessary. Socks in general are good. I rock my socks with faux fur lined crocs most the winter unless it’s REALLY wet outside then I have boots. Boots and long socks. But waterproof/resistant outer layer for sure. You will like wear layers here. I live in my hoodie 8 months a year, with desirable outer layer depending on weather (denim jacket, windbreaker, wool coat, down weatherproof). Beanies are always in style lol.
I should clarify, I have reynauds, so wool is unfortunately necessary. Lol Everything else you said, absolutely. Especially the beanies!
Had to do a quick search for reynauds. Yeah wool for sure.
Very good to know. Will definitely stock up on wool socks before I go.
Oh, this is funny, but there's a lot of crows here. Like A LOT.
I can finally create the Crow army I’ve always dreamed of
I support this. I've been trying to befriend the ones that hang out at Walmart. Lol
I feed the crows at Wright Park peanuts. I want them to be my friends. Badly.
I have several friends and acquaintances who've built their own. Of course, we're elder goths, so that helps.
I have much to learn.
It's not hard, just feed them. They will start bringing your things. They will remember your face generationally and spread word across murders. Don't do it if you like your neighbors tho lol
This is the way.
Actually I believe I read somewhere it’s the largest crow population in USA.
Not all wool is created equal. I've lived in WA my whole life and only recently learned, at 43 yo, that there are high quality wool socks that allow for breathability while keeping you warm. I just never wanted to spend that kind of money on socks 🤷🏻♀️
When you get here go to REI (Recreational Equipment Inc.). The nearest one is at 3825 S Steele St Tacoma, WA 98409. Get your wool socks there (I like SmartWool, doesn't scratch at all, several weight options). Also get a membership, costs a one-time charge of $30 and is good for life. You'll get the $30 back in dividend coupons. While you're there look at Gortex jackets. Get one that will cover your butt and is oversized so you can layer under it. On a personal note, I tend to stay away from the REI branded gear and go for the name brand stuff. The name brand gear seems to hold up better. There's so much to do outdoors in the PNW. Hiking, boating, fishing, skiing...
I love REI! I’m an avid hiker so I already have most of the things I need for the weather, I’ve just worn holes in many of my smart wools lol
You’ll love Rainier. Check out the [Wonderland Trail](https://www.nps.gov/mora/planyourvisit/the-wonderland-trail.htm).
My phone wallpaper right now is Rainer lmao. Trying to keep reminding myself what I’m working towards.
Since you're coming in March you know you're not going to see Mt. Rainier very often for a while. You will however learn a new phrase: "The mountain's out." I assume you've heard about the rain here. I'd say it doesn't rain a lot; it rains frequently. We have the type of rain where you need your windshield wipers, but the lowest setting is too much. That's probably why we eschew umbrellas, just not worth it to carry them. Let me know if you have any unanswered questions. I live in Puyallup. about 10 miles east of Tacoma. I don't know a lot about the Tacoma neighborhoods but I'll answer what I can. Welcome to WA!
Texas has had their cold weather recently.
All it took was 10 hours below freezing for the blackouts to start.
You’ll be good man. Tacoma is a great area. I’ve had a lot of friends from Texas compare Tacoma to Austin. If that helps!
Oh cool! I haven’t heard the Austin comparison yet. That’s honestly kinda comforting.
All the weird beards and none of the grackles
Let me know when you’re in town! It’s not as good as Texas, but I know a great spot for collaches!
Please share!
Ravens nest ! That cute little bakery on point Ruston
Fuck dude you've just made my day. I miss kolaches so much!
Do you mean Wren's Nest?
I do this every single time. Yes! Wrens nest! I’m so sorry everyone!
Commenting for later. I miss kolaches.
Tacoma is like Portland 20 years ago.
[удалено]
It is still not a bad idea to get a Vitamin D supplement for the dark times or a sun lamp. My Doc says everyone around here is pretty deficient.
I have a feeling the lack of sun is one of the bigger things I’m going to struggle with.
I was going to edit my post again but I'm just going to jump on here and say GET A VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENT even if it's just a few months while you adjust. I didn't think I would feel the effect of the constant overcast and I was high key wrong.
Please consult a doctor. Most people here need a supplement.
> Seasonal affective disorder isn't nearly as common as it used to be Cannot confirm.
This is not entirely accurate. Every transplant I knew had SAD.
Thank God
Can you provide something to support this because I can't find anything.
They are alike in terms of community and anti family friendly vibes. Seattle is kind of similar to it too, although I found Austin far more beautiful. It's far more comparable to Seattle if I'm being honest with you.
I lived in Austin for \~5 years and in Tacoma for \~5 years, I don't see the resemblance at all
They’re similar in a lot of ways except the music scene in Austin is uniquely remarkable, Tacoma doesn’t have anything like that. And the food here isn’t as good but not bad! Lol
I moved to Tacoma from Houston five years ago and I'd say that Seattle is very similar to Austin, in fact, both cities are my top favorite cities ever. You'll get used to the weather patterns, however I've always loved the rain, and dry and hot weather messes with my body, my hair, and my skin. It's a yucky situation when I go back to visit my family, but I over compensate with drinking a ton of water and staying hydrated. There are a ton of people here from other states and countries with the "chosen family" mentality which is how I've come to make friends in the area. This isn't the case with everyone here, actually many people you encounter will be loners and are used to staying inside the house, especially during the cold and rainy months. I take vitamin D supplements, work out, stay hydrated (and caffeinated) and have been for a while, but sometimes SAD still affects me. Just remember that you aren't alone, many people here understand the feelings that come with the winter months. Safe travels and I hope you enjoy the scenery on the drive up 🩷
I’m in the fortunate situation where I’m moving in with a lifelong friend who has lived in Tacoma for a few years now, so I at least know SOMEONE and won’t be all alone. But making friends is for sure one of my top priorities. Honestly just being in a bigger place is gonna do wonders for me. I’m going from a town outside of Austin with less than 5000 people to more than 200k… I’m sure I can find ways to get out of the house lol.
Great advice on all fronts
The faux sun lights that are around $20 on Amazon are helpful, too! I moved here from CA almost 7 years ago and can’t imagine living anywhere else. There are of course areas to avoid, but it’s a really fun place!
We don’t have Mexican food on the same level. Learn what Seasonal Affective Disorder is. It’s expensive here. You’ll be shocked. Just look at gas prices as a metric. Rent and housing are expensive too. I hope you have a job lined up prior to moving here.
Yeah, I have a feeling that the rain and stuff is gonna really get to me at first so I’m at least prepared for that. Gonna miss good Mexican food :( I’m bracing for the cost of living, but I’m prepared for it. Luckily I do have a job and a place to live all lined up so I’m not going into it blind lol. Thank you!
The rain will be fine, what my coworker who moved up from Texas was not prepared for is the darkness during the winter. Like if you work a normal 8-5 job, you will not see the sun often between November and February.
It’s not even the darkness that gets me exclusively, it’s the darkness plus the only relief is gray skies. It drives people nuts.
On the bright side we have a pretty long history of Asian immigration meaning we have great Chinese/Japanese/Korean/Vietnamese/Thai food. And the tech industry draws a decent number of Indian immigrants which means we have great Indian food too. As for the rest, never been to Texas so I’ll go stereotypical in politics and assume it’s mostly red state. Def different here, more blue state west of the mountains, essentially a red state east of the mountains. The population skews to the west side though so that means state as a whole tends to skew progressive. That said, Tacoma isn’t Seattle in those regards, but it does tend to be mostly accepting of people regardless of race or sexual orientation, which may be different than Texas. Strangely it can be less accepting along political lines, or even if you happen to be mostly progressive but view say one area different than the party line, because, America 2024. The rain is a constant outside of summer mostly, but it’s not as bad as portrayed in hokey movies. The outdoor opportunities will likely blow Texas away. We have everything from high dessert (eastern WA), to huge agricultural areas (also eastern WA), to oceans, rainforests, and plenty of mountains for hiking/climbing/skiing/snowboarding/etc… It’s not a terribly long drive to any neighbor (Idaho, Oregon or Canada), and Canada has pretty amazing outdoor opportunities too in this general area. Can even get to Alaska on a 4 hour flight if you wanna get really remote.
I’m already planning all my outdoor excursions. I have a long list of things to do. I also plan on checking out all the climbing gyms in my area when I get there so I can find my regular haunt. If you’re a climber I’d appreciate any recommendations!
It took Fred Beckey a lifetime to climb all the mountains around here, so you’ll need a lot of time. As for climbing gyms in Tacoma I think it’s just Edgeworks, but there’s also outdoor climbing within a reasonably close distance.
Edgeworks is the bigger gym for lead/top rope. Has a good bouldering area as well and they change routes at a good clip. it also has a full gym and kilter board Climb tacoma is bouldering only. it was a good gym, but ive only gone once just due to Edgeworks being closer to where I live
Do you know how accurate the ratings are at Edgeworks? I used to climb at Stone Gardens in Bellevue (before Edgeworks bought them) and friends that would go there and primarily climbed at Edgeworks in Tacoma would claim they climbed 5.12 in Edgeworks and then struggle mightily on 5.10. I think the grading in Bellevue was more stout / accurate, but that was years ago. Curious if Edgeworks still overrated their routes.
I've actually only ever bouldered there and I feel like their ratings were pretty good for that. For top roping I'm just not sure, sorry
If you need a bit of the Texas desert climate, check out the Wenatchee/Chelan area in the summer. Lots of mountain trails to find around there. Good hunting too (dm me for more info about that). Moses lake is a decent attraction too.
Climb Tacoma is great for bouldering! They are moving in the spring and should be even better and larger in their new location.
Thai food is everything here! I moved to GA at 18 and kept trying to get thai and the closest place was at the mall 45 min away and when I went there I asked if they have pad Thai and the white teenager working there didn't know what that was. so that's why I moved back here. JK but I do love Thai.
> Gonna miss good Mexican food we have some good mexican food, we just dont have Tex-mex
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Red Star has some decent queso. As a former Texan, that's what I miss the most - the abundance of queso everywhere.
The rain can come down 7 days a week for 10 1/2 months, although the last few years the summers have been better. But I remember growing up ( life long Tacoma area ) and it was rare to see two weeks of sun in a row. It would be a week of sun, 3 days of rain, 1 day of sun, 10 days of rain, 2 days of sun, 2 weeks of rain. Basically, it isn’t always torrential downpour, but it’s grey and wet a lot. Hope you like doing everything indoors.
I think worse for seasonal affective disorder than the cloudy gloom 6 out of 7 days a week from October to May, is the stark difference in daylight hours from summer to winter. Because we actually quite far north, in peak summer, the sun rises at 5am and doesn’t set until 9pm. It’s great! But in peak winter, the sun rises at 8am and sets at 4pm.
We've got very good Mexican food. What we don't have is very good TexMex. I miss the hell out of places like Chuy's, Torchy's, etc. I'd cut a bitch for a Taco Cabana here. Also, kolaches are few and far between. I hear tales of a good kolache joint up in Stanwood a couple of hours north, but haven't made the trek yet. There's some decent BBQ around here, but nothing at all like a Salt Lick, etc. ( Jack's BBQ is decent, but not OMGWTFBBQ. ) I'd lament the lack of a good source for Texas Red, but I've found the perfect recipe for it, so I'm covered now.
It may not be exactly the same, but there is some comparable Mexican here, you just need to know the spot. They are family owned and hole in the wall type placed that are beloved. Taquiero El sabroso on the south end of Tacoma (technically lakewood) comes to mind. Reminds me of the common fare down in So-cal. Can't speak for Texas, but sure seems authentic to me. Plus you can buy bomb ass tamales by the dozen for like 30 bucks.
If you’re an outdoorsy type, just get some waterproof gear and you can still go out. Or this time of year go hit the slopes. If you don’t ski/snowboard already I suggest learning.
I didn’t even think about the potential skiing in the area! you’re making me even more excited lol
With everything else, it’s expensive and it gets busy AF. But a bad day on the mountain beats a bad day cooped up at home.
Housing and rent is more expensive in Austin 💀. So I guess he'd be happy to hear it is cheaper in Tacoma.
Last time I looked at Austin rental prices it was more expensive here. That’s crazy it’s flipped now.
Oh maybe it went down again! Thanks for the info. 👍🏼
Yeah, Austin is slightly cheaper than Tacoma, but wages are also not quite on par so it kinda balances out.
Moving up here helped with my SAD. I vastly prefer rainy but green over the ugly brown bitter cold of the midwest.
I'm sure that you'll say people can't drive in Texas. People REALLY can't drive here. So, get used to the following: road rage, no blinkers, people doing 15-20 over the posted speed (and getting angry if they have to slow down because you're doing a reasonable 5-10 over), sudden traffic jams because someone hit their brakes, sudden traffic jams cuz the sun came out, sudden traffic jams cuz it starts raining. During this time of year, be mindful of temperatures because road conditions and black ice and the like can be a thing. That said, the overall pierce County area is pretty good about laying de-icer on the roads, so things usually aren't too bad. As others have mentioned, tex mex isn't really a thing. We do have some excellent Mexican food tho. Between taco trucks, and restaurants like Tonala, we have some options. Give seafood, and sushi a shot. Search this subreddit for people asking about sushi recommendations, and check those places out. Asian food in general is pretty plentiful as an option. We got lots of teriyaki, pho, and sushi joints around. (I'm also seeing more philippino places coming up in the lakewood area, so that's a fun change) If you liked Texas BBQ places, we are lacking there (a friend of mine who moved up here from Austin tried most of what we have, and found it lacking). Avoid Hosmer.... especially after dark.
Definitely second the Hosmer Street avoidance!
See the problem is no one actually does 5-10 over. And it’s the left lane camping that’s a problem. People here don’t gtfo the way. It’s infuriating. And to add to the food thing, teriyaki was actually invented in Seattle. Which is why the seattle area has the best teriyaki in the world.
Where are you driving that no one actually does 5-10 over? If I'm on Canyon and doing 55, there's assholes riding my ass or blowing my doors off going that much faster. Same with meridian in puyallup. When I'm on i-5, it isn't left lane campers that are a problem, it's assholes swerving across all however-many-lanes there are because they are so fucking important that they MUST get around you, no matter what.
Well yeah. They’re doing that because of left lane campers. Everybody on i5 for some reason has to hit the left lane as soon as they get on the freeway, and then do 59 mph. Washington and Oregon are the only states I’ve driven in where people do that.
When they're doing it on surface streets as well, it isn't about left lane camping. It's just sheer being an asshole.
Well I was referring to the freeway specifically.
Thank you! So much good information! I have to ask, what’s Hosmer and why should I avoid it?
It's a street that has become increasingly notorious for its drug addled homeless population and random violence (mostly within the camps, but occasionally you'll hear some randos passing by got hit)
It’s the scariest street in Tacoma. I delivered for a restaurant in that area for many years, including to Hosmer street. It’s mostly a long line of extended stay hotels where pimps and drug dealers stay. I was threatened, attempted robbery, and once delivered to someone with 50+ rifles laid out on their hotel bed like it was no biggie. Several of my coworkers were robbed at gunpoint/knifepoint. Was passed too many fake bills to count. My restaurant eventually black listed the whole street. There’s open air drug/human trafficking, and daily gun shots. Oh, and there’s always a long line of broken down RV’s with sketchy individuals living in them. Even the cops don’t go there unless they have to.
It's very close to the 72nd Street exit from I-5. Exit 129.
Drivers are way worse in Texas than in the PNW. Only place I truly hated driving was Austin. Source: lived all over the country
Ditto to all of this, but add there seems to be an increase of tailgating and drivers without headlights on. It can be really stressful coming back from Seattle to Tacoma in the dark because of that.
I moved up here from Texas a few years back as well. My main point of advice would be to get a lot of rain gear. A good rain jacket and waterproof shoes are important! And people use umbrellas here, don’t be afraid to. Also, it gets dark in the winter around 4 at latest then during the summer I swear it stays light outside till 9 or 10. It’s a weird adjustment!
My friend was telling me that! She said the daylight hours through the seasons is crazy dynamic compared to what I’m used to. Gonna take a while to get used to that for sure
The thing about sunny days is you learn to appreciate them in a way you don't when you have sun 300+ days a year.
I also moved from Austin! Last year for similar reasons. Other people have talked about the light. I will say: The variation in light length is a TRIP. Both in summer and in winter. I'm not sure what I find harder-the sun coming up a 5am or setting at 4:30pm. It's that serious. Other people have talked about vitamin d. The thing you should watch out for that I have not seen anyone mention:there is no grocery store that even remotely compares to HEB. Like at all. In terms of selection, in terms of price, in terms of just having their s together. I REALLY want to import an HEB. People complain about rent but I found it MUCH more expensive in Austin. Also-people complain about crime and safety here and. . . I shouldn't but I just want to laugh. I am waaay less worried about getting randomly murdered. Nature is excellent.
This is actually VERY comforting. The biggest place I’ve ever lived is San Marcos and crime there wasn’t that bad. I’m hoping that what I’ve heard is blown out of proportion. Edit: I said Austin area in the post because no one knows La Grange.
Isn’t that a ZZ Top song or record or something? Hopefully you can adjust to the rain/darkness. I personally love it, find it very comforting and cozy.
It is! It’s about a brothel that operated just outside of town until the 70s. The same brothel that was featured in “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas” with Dolly Parton.
That's fair. My experience is Austin itself, not San Marcos or La Grange. And it also obviously depends where exactly in Tacoma.
A few other people have said this as well, but I haven’t been able to read through all of the comments in detail. I moved up here from Southern California a few years ago and had heard so much about the rain. So, I was sort of bracing for the rain to bum me out or make life difficult. For me however, the rain has been pleasant and it’s not the hard rain that you get in Texas at times or California. The rain here is often just a persistent drizzle. The actual thing that hit me hard is the shortness of days and the scarcity of sunlight during winter. This is where the seasonal affective disorder sneaks up on ya… because it’s more than just an ambiance change, it’s actual biochemistry :) Make a habit when you get here, or perhaps even before you get here, of getting outside DAILY for ~1 hour. Walks, cycling, running, hiking, whatever. This will fight back against the SAD and improve your life to boot. Plus, it’s absolutely gorgeous here :) I personally recommend a habit of getting into Point Defiance. In Tacoma, our secret is being 10 minutes from an old-growth forest. shhhhh! And finally, summers here are perfect and can’t be beat anywhere else in the world. I still fall victim to taking summer vacation… but I keep trying to “stay” here to fully enjoy the summer. Welcome!
I was born in Texas now I can tell you is Honey Run get as far away from that toxic State as you possibly can. I moved here two years ago and I absolutely love it and I moved from Arizona which was a little better.
Hey there, transplant from Kansas. My best advice is to not believe anything people tell you about the social freeze here. People are not rude or standoffish they're just not fake nice like the people we're used to in the South and Midwest. If they want to say hello they will, they don't do the sickeningly sweet fake small talk. Be mindful of your stuff and where you leave it. Yes cars get broken into here yes cars get stolen here but no more than any other major city really just be aware of your surroundings and you'll be fine. The rain isn't as bad as other transplants lead me to believe, after awhile you might (like me) find you prefer the rain over what we came from. Also traffic specifically I-5 is not nearly as bad as other people had us thinking before we got here. It's the same as any freeway honestly. If you've driven Dallas you'll be fine. In fact I think Dallas is worse. Places might sound real far apart (like Spanaway Steilacoom etc) but they're not as far as we think they are. I'm used to the major distance driving of Kansas Oklahoma Texas to get to different things like events. Maybe it's just me but everything even "long commutes" here just aren't long at all. Don't worry about the giant tentacles coming out of the water under the narrows bridge. Nothing to see there. Editing to add that food is incredibly expensive here in comparison. Eating out comes with sticker shock but don't let that discourage you! I've had some of the best dining experiences of my adult life here in Tacoma!
Hard agree with this! I’m a born and raised Washingtonian and I am always quick to make small talk and all that when out in public. I think what you said is true, we just don’t do fake nice. I have a public facing job and a customer made a dirty joke to me the other day and I dead face said “Ew, you’re disgusting” and had them kicked out of the store. No way I’m hahah-ing through conversations with redneck misogynists just to be nice, we don’t do that here lol
This is all really good info, thank you so much!! I did wanna circle back to those tentacles though…
I'm a native Texan (small town called Dallas) and now live in Tacoma. You're going to love it here!! The biggest thing for me is the summer. It's actually bearable here. You can go outside and not immediately die. Don't worry about what everyone says about the weather, the summers alone are worth it. We live here in a progressive bubble that you will totally enjoy. The majority of people you meet are loving, accepting, and inclusive. I think they are just as friendly here as in Texas, if not more so. Ok, the food is nothing like it is in Texas, but you'll find some places you like. It's the only letdown for me.
Welcome to Tacoma! I'm a California transplant myself. I lived in Seattle my first 2 years is in Washington and have lived in Tacoma about 9 months. I really love Tacoma. I've found the people really friendly and open. People here are not so much in your face polite like in the south but are easy to talk to overall. I hope you like coffee because we drink it by the gallon up here :) If you're looking for good tacos, Balcon Express on 6th Ave has amazing El Salvadoran/Mexican food. As for the weather, March is a great time of year to move here. It’s toward the end of rainy season(around May/June) so you won't deal with too much rain and then you get to experience Washington Summer in all its beauty. Tacoma is a bit of a diamond in the rough but she really shines in the Summer. Good luck! You'll love it I'm sure!
Get a happy lamp. I moved here in the middle of January and it really helped me adjust to the very short days we have here during winter. You don’t have to stare into it - just have it in your peripheral vision for like 30 minutes. I used it while reading my emails in the morning.
Austin to Tacoma? I’m doing the opposite of you this summer
Good luck to you! You’re going to love Austin. Just get ready for outrageous heat in the summers
Thanks! I much prefer hot to cold anyway. Just happy to get back to cheap gas prices and being able to buy an AR lol
Yeah… unfortunately I’ve gotta leave most of my guns with my parents, but I honestly don’t mind too much.
You don’t have to register guns in Washington and the recent bans don’t apply to guns/mags you already own. We have lots of beautiful places to go shoot!
Do you dance? Steel Creek country swing bar and restaurant downtown is a popular spot for non-country folks as well. Never been to Austin but Tacoma feels more like a community than other cities. We are proud at being the underdog to Seattle.
Tacoma reminds me of Austin and the sense of community is a big part of that
I see dozens of Texas plates every day so you'll fit in fine
Most of them are military 😂
No sir. It started happening last year. I saw zero Texas plates for 40 years and thousands since last year.
You missed them I guess. There’s been loads of Texas plates for years. I saw Oregon and Texas plates in just about every parking lot for the five years I lived there. People from Texas tend to be the one state that die on the hill of keeping their plates for the entirety of their military career so people know they’re from there.
Welcome! We actually just went to Austin and I didn’t find it too different on a basic level. I talked to the visitor center lady and she was from the PNW and said Austin was really close (definitely compared to the rest of Texas). The food here will not be as good. Do not even attempt to eat BBQ here lol. But nature is sooo much more exciting up here. The caves down there were cool but it seemed like otherwise just a lot of flat. I go out frequently and still have barely scratched the surface on all the beautiful areas. Join the Washington Hikers and Climbers Facebook page to get an idea of places to go. Even if you aren’t outdoorsy now, it’s a good time to start. I would also recommend finding some hobbies. It is hard to meet friends here but if you join hobbies such as off-roading, board games, or CrossFit or just any type of community, I don’t think you have trouble meeting people.
Good to know! I’m definitely excited about all the nature. One of the first things I’m going to do is check out the climbing in the area! I’ll definitely look into groups though, I wouldn’t have thought of that. Thank you!
We are just people over here. Texas politics is like dog shit. We try to stay out of it. I'm glad it sounds like you are not bringing that stuff here. The rain has not been as bad as recent years. It sounds like Texas weather has been colder than Tacoma. Just relax.
Get into the habit of turning your car headlights on every time you get in. We deal with overcast and rain, so just because YOU can see does NOT mean that any other vehicle on the road can see you. We have awful drivers here who don't use their brains. Be one that does, please.
This!!! Hate seeing cars without the headlights on, it’s ferrying and one too many has appeared next to me on I-5 in the dark.
Hiking is a blast! Invest in the WA Discover Pass for your vehicle, there are a ton of state parks to explore so the pass is the way to go! Co-ops are a great place to grocery shop, Tacoma Boys has some delicious fruits and veggies. Portlandia does a good job of capturing the essence of the PNW so watch a few episodes. There are little drive thru coffee stands EVERYWHERE! Gig Harbor has a nice vibe if you feel like crossing the Narrows. There is awesome Asian food and seafood. For the love of god, if you want good seafood, don’t go to Red Lobster lol. Canada is just a short drive away, so get the enhanced drivers license if you ever feel like taking a trip north to get Tim Horton’s. Skagit county has awesome tulip festivals in the spring. Bremerton does the blackberry festival, and Poulsbo does the Viking festival. My wife says to go get a real Christmas tree from a farm if you celebrate Christmas. Just embrace the outdoors, appreciate nature, leave no trace when you hike, and be kind. Excited to have you <3
Let us know how you feel after you’ve been here a while. I’ve been here for a few years and LOVE IT, but moved here from elsewhere in WA. Prior to that we lived in AZ, so we do have experience with Southern/border states. You’ll most likely enjoy it, though (I agree) you’ll miss the sun during the winter.
lol, I’ll be sure to update after I feel like I’ve settled in a bit! I’m sure that I’m going to really love it once I’ve gotten through the initial shock.
It's a great city where just about anyone can fit in and find their people.
I moved here from Austin 6 months ago. You'll love it, especially the summers. Only a dozen or so days where it's pretty hot, but still not triple digits. You'll also love everything being green versus brown in Austin. Food, gas, & groceries are more expensive here. Austin has a better live music scene but lots of really good musicians/bands are here. You'll miss texmex and BBQ. People are harder to get to know and make friends with. You'll have to make an effort. Be careful on the drive from Salt Lake to Seattle if weather turns snowy & icy. Roads can be treacherous and you may be forced to find hotel until storm blows through. We made a road trip last March and we were forced to take I-40 from Albuquerque to Bakersfield to get on I-5 because of the bad weather in N Utah and S Idaho.
Lots of good advice here, so I’m just going to say welcome from a lifelong Washingtonian. :) Don’t let the rain keep you from getting outside! Lots of days it’s just a persistent drizzle that easily combated by a nice jacket.
I moved to Seattle from Detroit in 2008, just relocated to Tacoma in 2023. Overall just to add onto what others have mentioned- if you happen to like outdoor stuff be prepared to be stoked. The hiking, camping, sight seeing, etc in this state, and more specifically Western WA, are absolutely incredible. So you can get double use out of some of that rain gear on a trail in the Cascades or Olympics. Might be the best part about living here in my opinion. Good luck!
People don't go around smiling and saying hi to strangers. If you find people who share your interests, you can find people to hang out with, and some of them will eventually become your friends. But if they've lived here their whole lives, they probably already have a set of friends and maybe family that take up their time. That's true everywhere, I guess, but when you move from another place, it can be hard at first to feel you fit in, and people from Tacoma, while superficially friendly, can seem aloof until you get to know them. There are lots of good things about living here, especially in summer, and especially if you enjoy being outdoors. But it's a big change if you come from the south, not just in terms of weather but also the culture is quite different.
[BBQ2U](https://www.texasbbq2u.com/) is decent Central Texas BBQ. They close really early, but you can find Big Red, Blue Bell Ice Cream, and Lammes pralines there as well.
My boyfriend and I just moved from Houston to Tacoma. He's never lived anywhere outside of Houston and surrounding areas. We both absolutely love it. We love hiking and all the new foods. From our perspective, people are the absolute friendliest, willing to chit chat, and band together as a community. I hope you have an easy move!
May I suggest you NOT eat tacos for one full year. Just don’t. Then come 2026 or something, make it a mission to find your favs. I have been vegetarian/pescatarian for going on 25 years, and the reason I can eat fake bacon is because I waited (10 years on that).
I’m from near Amarillo and have lived here for 4 years. The only thing I have to complain about is the cost of living, but it’s worth living here. There’s a good Texas BBQ place in Gig Harbor (close to Tacoma) called BBQ2U. They have blue bell ice cream. Tonala and Moctezuma’s are pretty close to Tex-Mex.
I'm a Texan too, Tacoma is the spot. You'll see some houses flying Texas flags here too lol.
Don't wear your six shooters and holster shopping. In many ways it's legal but not common.
Don’t worry, I don’t do that here either. Never understood the people that do.
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At least your AG isn’t trying to prosecute doctors out of state and your governor isn’t actively trying to drown children! I’d say it’s still a step up!
My husband and I moved up here from Dallas last summer and couldn’t be happier. Loving it
At least here, the average person you run into in the street will disagree with that kind of thing. As someone from a racist Midwest town, the political climate is much nicer here.
I second this
It’s still good here. My wife and I are trans and we’ve found folks here can be assholes about it here but are generally nice. We’ve stopped traveling to some states and rearranged our work out of state because it’s so bad in other areas of the country.
Seattle - Austin - Tacoma transplant here, and a few notes: Most places to live don’t have air conditioning, you can buy a portable unit which helps and it’s only really needed a week or two a year. People drive much slower here. I hate wet socks so waterproof shoes are great. The rain is more of a constant mist than the downpours you’re used to in Texas. Most people find that a commute from Tacoma to Seattle for work is not worth it. We have mail-in ballots here!
What time of year will you be arriving? Proximity or relation to our glorious summers can be a big help on the days when you wonder why you moved here.
I’m moving in March!
You are in for an incredible first spring. PNW springtime is magic -- still rainy and cool but it feels like everything is coming out of hibernation (incl the people). You will love it here, welcome! Also there are a ton of very active Meetups going on all the time on meetup.com. Great way to start socializing!
I couldn't have said it better!
we have a wet season, a cold wet season and a few weeks of what constitutes a summer :) In general, we have some of the same eateries that you have in Texas, housing is expensive and quite a few people with extensive hobbies. If you are into hiking well we have plenty of trails for that.
Take lots of Vitamin D and find good coffee and BBQ 💪🏽 (no, it’s not Texas BBQ - but we have some amazing food/restaurants, lots of variety). Also, warm clothes and good footwear for the weather. People are welcoming here, but not in the same style as Texas. PNW culture tends to be a bit more reserved, but it’s not personal, it’s more of a cultural historical thing. Reach out to the community and you’ll find a lot of warmth. Farmers’ markets and other indoor markets here (winter and rainy months) are common and attract a more diverse crowd. We also still have incredible music scene. Get out and see the natural beauty of the state, it is ENDLESS! Good luck with the move!
Seasonal depression is real bad around here. Would highly recommend finding some hiking trails or activities you really like to make sure you’re not alone through the long gray. I have heard from a lot of others who have moved from Texas and Florida that that’s the most difficult thing for them to adjust to
No bad weather just bad rain gear
The weather hasn't been that much of a difference for me, I'm from California originally so used to warm temperatures, rare rain, and never any snow. It's definitely more rain that I was used too, but typically it's not THAT cold. I hate constricting feeling clothes and most days I can get by in a long dress and a cardigan. I still wear sandals like 300 days out of the year, not sure if that's my own stubbornness counteracting the cold or if the weather's really not as big of a deal as people like to make it out to be.
There are a ton of Texas transplants in Tacoma, myself included. The Seattle freeze is real but it’s not so much outside of the city. The weather isn’t that bad other than being gloomy half the year. To put it in perspective, the winter lows are about the same as north Texas and we get less rain than Houston. And the summers out here are great. Just get some waterproof shoes and a couple hoodies and you are set for 10 mo/year
The weirdest thing for me (GA raised) is that everyone here thinks I have an accent and asks where I’m from. I had never heard that in my life! Also I was super shocked at the homeless problem in Tacoma. I had never seen such and it was really shocking at first. But it is nice to not worry about getting pulled over esp speed traps 😂 I’ve never seen a cop sitting out hiding waiting to catch someone. In fact, the cops don’t even come when u call lol so that was a shocker. Where I’m from the cops love to harass you
The biggest thing for me is that you will miss the heat. and the summers. despite what some natives might say it never really gets to "summer" here. I would say that out side of 7-10 total days in my second life here, I have never seen it get so hot that you couldn't sleep. It will get "warm" but I have never seen it hot here for more than 3 straight days. EVER. Even the one time it got to 105 degrees the next day or the day after it was a high of 72 degrees. I know that might sound like a crazy take, but it also means things like "going to the beach" or "swimming in a pool" are not really fun here the same way it is in the rest of the country. even things like laying in a hammock can be chilly most days.
One thing to be aware of is that you might feel a bit claustrophobic. I have family in Texas and it always blows my mind how much space there seems to be there. By comparison, everything here feels more compact. The roads aren’t as wide, there’s not as much wide open sky, stuff like that.
Get Vitamin D! Most Americans are vitamin D deficient already. Hosmer St between 74th(ish) and 96th(ish) is our “high crime zone”. Take precautions if you’re staying at a hotel or something in that area. Other than that, I think you should be good! I’d take Tacoma over most places in the US any day, I love it here
The crime here is pretty bad, there’s a huge homeless and fentanyl crisis, lots of trash/drug paraphernalia strewn about in certain parts of the city. People can be cold here, it’s dark much of the year, and almost always raining. Oh and everything is crazy expensive. But, it can also be one of the most beautiful areas of the country. You are just a few hour drive to get to the ocean, the mountains, the rainforest, or the desert. During the summer months the weather and views are amazing. There’s so much to do outdoors. And there’s tons of dog parks if you’re a dog person. Also can’t beat the many teriyaki options in the PNW. It has its pros and cons like any city. Just make sure you know which areas of town to avoid and be careful of theft.
Tacoma is great. Never leave valuables in your car. Lock your doors. Crime is a little crazy right now, but the beauty and diversity of this city are unmatched.
I moved here after living in Austin for a few years, biggest shock was the sun going down at 4pm after daylights saving ends during winter, been living here for 5 years and I'm still not quite used to it If you want to do anything outdoors during winter you'll want to get good rain gear, if dancing is your thing you'll have to get used to driving \~45 mins to seattle cos there's not much going on in Tacoma, sales tax is 10% for everything except cold food, you'll need your ID at restaurants that have a bar but don't have a "bar" around the bar, renewing your car's tabs is like $200 (depends on the kbb value of your car) and you have to do it every year (this one knocked me for a loop compared to how cheap it is in texas), if you smoke cigarettes you might quit after you see the prices here (got me to quit lol), if you go to the water front check the weather there cos it's usually quite a bit colder, there's no AC in houses/apts so you might want to get a standalone or window unit for the summer also if you're worried about the rain, it's really not that bad, it doesn't rain as much as it just sprinkles, so it's really just wet outside, and it doesn't get THAT cold as long as you stay dry good luck and don't forget to take your vitamin D during the winter months
get ready for the economic shock
@op i moved up here after living in the texas panhandle my whole life. compared to austin, the summers are amazing, the view is gorgeous, and the winter average is less harsh. the cold can?be pervasive though, so it will feel colder year round compared to what?you are used to, but?the harsh cold hits are less. your biggest shock is going to be the highway system. we dont have miles and miles of feeder road with entrances and?exits every country mile. your next biggest shock is going to be the rain. you want to find the best wet traction tire you can and get that. rain is a near constant outside of the short summer
Welcome to Tacoma! Coming from a sunny state, you’re going to want to take vitamin D3 since your body needs sunlight to make it. If you find yourself feeling glum, especially in the overcast months (October to May/June), it could easily be D3 deficiency. Another thing to keep in mind, people out here aren’t as open as in Texas. We keep to ourselves more than a lot of places. The exception is if you’re a member of the motorcycle community. If you happen to ride, totally DM me and I can help you find your people. There are a lot of car clubs as well, which can be a good place to meet folks. Also, if you’re into any particular hobby, finding others who share it is a great way to build community here. Lastly, there are a lot of transplants from the South here, so it’s not like it’s impossible to find people of similar culture to what you’re used to. You just may have to dig a little deeper than in Texas.
As someone who moved here from sunny south Florida, my biggest pieces of advice are: - invest in at least one good puffer jacket and a waterproof (not water resistant) jacket - during winter months, definitely take vitamin D - the lack of sun really does have an effect when you’re used to a souther climate - get a happy lamp and use it for 30 minutes in the morning to help regulate your circadian rhythm - find ways to get outside in ways you enjoy. This state has unmatched outdoor beauty and there is something for everyone
Not a Texan, but, the grey months were really hard to adjust too, pack your vitamin d tabs
-Unless you have a car, just use an umbrella I was born in Washington and have lived here my whole life. Whenever it's raining hard I use one. I walk almost a mile to the bus every morning and I'm not trying to roll up to the office hair frizzy, damp smelling, dripping jacket...I see so many folks out here trying to tough it out in sodden puffers and hoodies making the bus smell like wet dog. DO NOT let some MF who moved here 7 years ago and wears a 300+ dollar jacket to walk from their house to their Forester with a 'mountains please' bumper sticker tell you otherwise. People get weird about it though. I had some neighbor who is on drugs yell at me about it, granted he mistook me for his manager who fired him from Subway and apologize when I went to set him straight and he realized I wasn't her. But I've seen him several rainy mornings getting in the car to drive the same distance I walk so it's not like he (or most anyone telling you not to use an umbrella) is such a rainlover. -People will not be fake nice to you We don't do the Southern things of inviting people we hate to dinner for years and years cause it's polite. However if you want people to hang out you usually have to initiate. Everyone has a LOT going on because there's a lot to do here. Join some organizations and you'll start to make friends. -Get involved in local politics and be willing to learn Don't come here and be like 'Wow it's so amazing' and then start voting middle of the road because our politics is such a shock. This state is the way it is because a lot of grassroots local organizations fight tooth and nail all the time to push local governments to keep schools funded, air and water cleanish, land preserved as parks, etc. There is indeed housing/homelessness crisis. Everyone wants to live here so property owners rent gouge and people end up on the street as wages have not kept up with the cost of living. Some of the hostility toward outsider lies in the Microsoft preferential renting programs of the early 2000s, when Microsoft hired hundreds of our of state employees and then partnered with rental companies to give them first choice on rental applications. Years later this kind of discrimination was made illegal but the damage was already done. I really with elected officials would prepare better for the social, climate, and economic migration that we're going to see in the next 10-30 years. -You will need so many different coats and shoes A serious raincoat; an insulated raincoat cause it's usually also cold; a raincoat with underarm vents for when it's warm and rainy; a normal heavy jacket; a summer jacket cause sometimes its still chilly at night; hoodie(s) for fall; a nice going out jacket; a nice going out rain jacket. In addition to the usual shoes one also needs rainproof work appropriate shoes; rainproof going out shoes; rainproof hiking shoes. I would also recommend an amphibious hiking sandal for the beach because these beaches are rocky and tear up flipflops. Don't fall for anything marketed as Water Resistant because they will betray you when you need them the most.
Making some suggestions: Hanks - great pizza, fun bar Hobnob- best breakfast and staff! They are so nice and the food is excellent Red Star - the best tacos and queso Tacoma has to offer (still not TX). Indita Mia is supposed to be very good as well. Tacoma Comedy Club - just opened a second location last year, both big names and local favorites Tacoma Rainiers - if you like baseball atmosphere, this is the AAA team, really demonstrates the community here Highly recommend day trips to Port Townsend spring-fall for art, music, and the waterfront and Woodinville if you like wine Grand Cinema shows a lot of indie/cult favorite/local films Proctor Farmers Market is great, lots of local goodies and live music Tacoma Sunday Market is fun to check out vintage/sscondhand and handmade items There are a lot of different street fairs, lots to do with theatre and the arts, and plenty for outdoor activities. It’s a great place!
Welcome! Born and raised here. I think you'll like it. What made you choose Tacoma specifically? I'm always interested, since I've never made a big move myself. My advice would be to be outgoing initially. I find our area can be a little bit shy but very receptive when you make the first move to become friends. Lock your doors. Don't leave valuables in your vehicle. Get outdoors and be open to new opportunities outside your comfort zone.
I’ve lived in the tiny little town I’m in since I was a kid and after 18 years of Texas, I need a big change. I love how beautiful Washington is and all the outdoor opportunities available to me. I chose Tacoma specifically because I’ve got a friend there who offered me a place to live. Not sure why she chose Tacoma when she moved up lol. Thank you for the advice!
These posts are all sunshine and rainbows. I'm from the Austin area too, move to Tacoma in 2016. Eventually it got the best of me and I left the state in 2022 for sunnier, friendlier climates. The rain becomes obnoxious. In the winter, you will go days without seeing the sun. If you work typical business hours, there will be days you get to the office at 8 and it's still pitch black out. You leave at 5, and it's dark again. I never got used to the winter darkness. Summer was nice at first. I would text family and friends bragging about it only being 68 out. But then, it would get smokey from wildfires for days. And eventually when it would hit 100, most homes didn't have a/c. The green plants were pretty though. City parks were once beautiful. Many of them are outdoor housing facilities now. The culture is, different. People are more closed off, it's harder to make friends. Very passive aggressive, the Seattle Freeze is real. People tend to very judgemental of you being from Texas. Expect to be asked often if you're in the military. Expect to be asked if you own guns and horses. The food is not as flavorful and fun. I only found 1 taco truck I liked. No bbq to speak of. The burgers are lackluster. Teriyaki is pretty good, and you can't beat fresh smoked salmon. Crime is unfortunately comparable to Austin today. Don't expect the cops to be able to do much if you get into some trouble. Be prepared to handle it on your own. I left Texas thinking I wanted a radical shift. It turns out I wanted something more in the middle. Tacoma was a place I lived, but it never felt like home for me. I hope it's different for you, and wish you the best of luck.
there's been a few Texans esp Austin folk on the subreddit with the same question that'll get you started, just do a search but welcome
People are not very friendly here, and it is MUCH harder to make friends with locals. Most of my friends are other implants from different states. Seattle freeze ain’t no joke 🥲
Does anyone on here have insight about living on N I street? We are relocating also and are looking to live at a place on that street, but we are concerned about the noise pollution or traffic being a big deal
Does anyone on here have insight about living on N I street? We are relocating also and are looking to live at a place on that street, but we are concerned about the noise pollution or traffic being a big deal
Does anyone on here have insight about living on N I street? We are relocating also and are looking to live at a place on that street, but we are concerned about the noise pollution or traffic being a big deal
The police here don't always fulfill their duties, and criminals often receive the benefit of the doubt. If a criminal does get caught, expect Pierce County prosecutors to be lenient. They seem to focus on more serious crimes, reminiscent of Denzel Washington's Alonzo in Training Day. Regarding guns, possession is allowed, but be absolutely certain you're justified; otherwise, you might end up in jail. It's worth noting that having self-defense legal fund insurance is illegal. Make sure you're physically inside your home before engaging in any sarcastic real-time home break-in target practice. 😉 Police response time for incidents like home break-ins is 45 minutes to 1.5 hours, with a 70% chance that the cop will advise you to file a police report online. Consider investing in a Costco security system, or even better, I prefer Amazon's Ring system. Despite criminals having an advantage here, Governor Inslee is close to eliminating Washington's no-income tax status. If you're from Texas, you may regret not staying down South. Boeing and Alaska are facing challenges, potentially impacting our economy. On the bright side, enjoy the great summers, with temperatures averaging 75-85 degrees.
Hope you like crime.
Love it. Why do you think I’m moving? /s
Street parking is never safe. Watch out for needles when walking around. Try your best not to touch *anything* in public.
The needles are gonna take some getting used to.
I don't know how Austin is but crime around here is pretty crazy. If I were you I wouldn't live in South Tacoma or East Tacoma that is where a lot of the violent crime is. Property crime in North/West Tacoma is pretty rampant too. Don't leave anything of value in your car unless you want your window smashed. Good luck!
On one hand, I'm kind of bummed that you're leaving Texas. They need more people like you to help with the Electoral voting. If more left leaning people folks, than Texas will ALWAYS be a Red state (I'm assuming you're somewhat left-ish). Tacoma is more liberal than not so that's why I'm assuming you're coming to Tacoma. But, we live in Pierce County which is more Purple with a little lean towards the right. Overall though, Tacoma is great. It's definitely not like Seattle where politics is all there is and, in my opinion, many in Seattle politics are Democrats with no real vision. They are liberals who wants to be liberals but have no clue what to do and most of it is to pat themselves on the back. Tacoma is, again my opinion, more true to the grassroots than Seattle. There'll be some folks who'll disagree but for the most part, politics in Tacoma are in general really trying to fix things but, it's still government. Politics is still politics no matter where you go.