Tacoma, WA

Tacoma sits along Puget Sound on the ancestral land of the Puyallup Tribe, wrapping around Commencement Bay with Mount Rainier towering in the distance. The city boomed in the late 1800s as the final western stop for the Northern Pacific Railroad, quickly climbing the steep hills that rise straight up from the shoreline. That geography still shapes the city today. Sloping residential streets offer sweeping water views, while the bustling port down on the flats keeps Tacoma connected to its working roots.

ATTRWalter Siegmund (talk) / CC BY-SA 3.0

While the working port remains a major economic anchor handling cargo on the tideflats, Tacoma's job market is much broader. Healthcare and education are two of the biggest employment sectors in town, anchored by large hospital systems near Hilltop and the University of Washington campus downtown. Along the nearby Thea Foss Waterway, former industrial land has transformed into a scenic spot for a stroll, with a paved boardwalk, museums, apartments, and restaurants where you can grab dinner by the docks.

ATTRCommencement Bay Land and Improvement Co. / Public domain

Outdoor access is one of the best perks of living here, headlined by Point Defiance Park. Covering over 700 acres on the tip of the peninsula, it features old-growth forest trails, a zoo and aquarium, and Owen Beach, a popular spot for picnics and pebble beach walks. In the center of town, the University of Washington Tacoma helped revitalize downtown by turning historic brick warehouses into an open, walkable urban campus. The Prairie Line Trail cuts right through it along an old rail corridor, giving residents and students a paved path lined with public art, coffee shops, and local breweries.

ATTRBroran28 / Public domain

Beyond downtown, Tacoma is defined by distinct neighborhood pockets that originally grew along old streetcar routes. Areas like the Proctor District, Stadium, 6th Avenue, and Lincoln each feature walkable main streets with independent grocery markets, bakeries, bars, and some of the best food in the South Sound. Getting around is convenient, with the T Line light rail connecting the Tacoma Dome transit center through downtown and Stadium up to Hilltop. From the Tacoma Dome hub, commuters can also jump on the Sounder train for a straightforward weekday ride up to Seattle.