Tacoma is a beautiful mid-sized urban port city located in the Pierce County of Washington. Located between two of America’s trendiest cities – Portland and Seattle - Tacoma is the third-largest city in Washington and also the capital of Pierce County. From its exotic waterfront restaurants to its posh neighborhoods, Tacoma offers the highest quality of urban living and exceptional outdoor recreation.  

What is the community of Tacoma like?      

Located against the picturesque Commencement Bay and the exotic Puget Sound, Tacoma is home to a vibrant community of artists, writers, musicians, filmmakers, entrepreneurs, and business owners who all love Tacoma for its unparalleled mountain views, waterfront houses, sublime sunsets, charming neighborhoods, and fervent nightlife.  
Ranked by Niche as the 16th best city in America for outdoor recreation, Tacoma plays home to a wonderful outdoor living space. With more than 3.1 million visitors per year, the Point Defiance Park is the crown jewel of Tacoma’s outdoor recreation. This sub-urban treasure of 760 acres offers everything from hiking and biking trails and dense forests to swimming and kayaking facilities, playgrounds, and even a zoo – the Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium.  
Besides, Tacoma also spectacles 46 miles of immaculate aquatic landscape that features sumptuous restaurants offering breathtaking views of Puget Sound as you enjoy your meal on the patio. Along the waterfront area of Ruston Way that features several public parks and restaurants, find sustainably sourced Duke's Chowder House, The Lobster Shop, and Tacoma's classic seafood mainstay, Harbor Lights, among others.  
Known for its world-renowned glass art, Tacoma is also home to a culture that thrives on arts and crafts. If unique art and exhibitions interest you, head to Tacoma’s Museum District in the city’s downtown that is home to six major museums showcasing some of the world’s best collections and exceptional artwork.  
Located just 20 minutes from Tacoma-Seattle International Airport, Tacoma is a city that is growing by leaps and bounds and today homes around 212,000 proud residents.  

What is Real Estate like in Tacoma?     

Real estate in Tacoma has shown an average growth of 4.61% per year since the year 2000. Besides, since 2000, the prices of homes in Tacoma have appreciated by a strong 157.51%. National real estate firm, REAL, categorizes Tacoma’s housing market as extremely competitive. The sale prices of homes in Tacoma have experienced strong growth of more than 18.6% in March 2021 from the same month last year.   
The median home price in Tacoma is around $410,000. Currently, there are 679 active homes for sale in Tacoma, and normally it takes just 36 days for a listed home to sell. Moreover, the average cost to rent a house in Tacoma is $1,773 per month. At present, there are 83,688 homes and apartments in the city, 50.4% of which are owned, and the remaining 49.6% are rented.      

How is the economic landscape of Tacoma?     

Tacoma has a thriving economy that enjoys the strong confidence of private investors. Private investment has surpassed public investment by a nearly 4:1 ratio, with more than $1 billion invested in downtown Tacoma alone. Besides, Tacoma is home to several international companies including True Blue Inc., lumber company Simpson, and the food companies Roman Meal and Brown and Haley.   
Over the last year, Tacoma’s job market has grown by 1.8%, while its job market is expected to grow by 39.9% in the next ten years. Some of the major employers in Tacoma include Joint Base Lewis–McChord, MultiCare Health System, State of Washington, and CHI Franciscan Health. 
On average, a Tacoma resident earns around $26,800 per annum. The city’s median household income per resident is $51,200. Most of the residents of Tacoma work in construction, manufacturing, retail, finance, professional and technical services, healthcare, and transportation. 

How are the schools in Tacoma?     

Tacoma is covered by 7 school districts, with Tacoma Public Schools being the city’s major school district encompassing 67 schools and 29,168 enrolled students. Besides, Tacoma is home to six colleges, and another 37 colleges lie within 50 miles from the city. Some of the prominent colleges in Tacoma include Tacoma Community College, Bates Technical College, Clover Park Technical College, and Highline Community College.  
Home to the University of Washington’s (UW) Tacoma Campus and lying just 37 miles from UW’s main campus in Seattle, Tacoma offers its residents easy access to one of the most prestigious varsities in the United States. Founded in 1861, and recognized for its high research activity, the University of Washington is one of the oldest universities on the West Coast. The university offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees through 140 departments in various colleges and schools. Known for its medical, engineering, and scientific research, as well as its highly competitive computer science and engineering programs, UW is presently home to 46,000 students. Its notable alumni include 21 Noble Laureates and several Pulitzer Prize Winners. 

Tacoma in a nutshell        

In a nutshell, Tacoma is a thriving community that is engulfed by the most scenic of natural beauty and enjoys the highest quality of living including nationally recognized outdoor recreational facilities, most picturesque waterfront establishments, and a world-famous glass art culture. With its safe neighborhoods and easy access to top-notch education, Tacoma offers a perfect destination to call home, should you decide to move to Washington.