Interesting. Yeah, it's pretty solidly blue, though I suspect that's been trending down. Big military presence, and no public university (except a University of Washington branch campus now).
I was born in Tacoma but raised elsewhere and I came back in 2016. I am a former SF Bay Area resident, and was concerned about the availability of live music but between local venues and the 30-40 min drive to Seattle, I get all the live music I could want! I think I will probably stay here for the rest of my life. Between family, my awesome job and living in an amazing craftsman, I think I made the right decision to return!
Born in Tacoma. Recall the scent clearly. Yes, Tacoma has changed beautifully last two decades. If you love coffee try Bluebeard Coffee in Tacoma. Your taste buds will be amazed. If you go, please give Kevin (owner) a smiling hello from me.
Great journey through my old world of Seattle down the I-5 corridor to Tacoma & beyond. I lived in Seattle 26 years transplanted from eastern side of state in 1991. It will always feel to be home to me.
Wow! I’ve lived 30 miles south of Tacoma (in Olympia) most of my life, and I’ve never been to any of those places.
Now that I think about it...the only places in Tacoma I’ve ever actually been to are Cheney Stadium and the zoo. So, maybe I’ve been actively avoiding Tacoma this whole time! 😂
The Seattle-Tacoma relationship seems analogous to San Francisco-Sacramento. Sacramento has also been on the upswing as people flee SF for cheaper housing.
Pittsburgh seems like another good comp. Industrial town turned gritty cultural hub.
Every time I saw “Googie” my brain read “Google”. Even after you made the clear the distinction. Agree with the first commenter, too: your photos are fab!
I’ve definitely been reading too much U.S. politics material. I couldn’t understand why in 1897 a steamship of prosecutors arrived in Tacoma from Alaska!
No, never been to Tacoma. I’ve driven through though...on the way to Portland. Is it a drive by city like a fly over state? Lol.
I've lived in Tacoma for 3+ years and got married in the Museum of Glass. We love being here and would not want to live in Seattle at all – it's nice to go up there for concerts + events, but even better to come home to our "normal" city.
Nice story, Michael! I’m so glad to hear that the aroma is gone. That happened fairly quickly as my partner and I and his daughter, her husband & baby drove through Tacoma then and she definitely had her aroma going strong (unless it was the baby)! That baby is now 16, so Tacoma cleaned up her problem fairly quickly! Thanks for the nice piece. I enjoyed it as my partner was from Seattle.
I was born and raised in Auburn, Washington and the “aroma of Tacoma” was a very real thing! I lived in the Seattle area more than Tacoma until about 10 years ago when I started directing shows at two of the venues found in the Tacoma area; Tacoma Little Theatre, which has been around for 100+ years, and Lakewood Playhouse, which is south of Tacoma and has been having financial difficulty the last year or so.
When I was young, I would not have been caught dead visiting Tacoma (and it was a real possibility you would be shot if you did!) Now I love to visit and see friends. My favorite restaurant is Stink Meat, Cheese and Wine Bar. Great place!
It actually just got bought out – they're looking for a new home. In the mean time, the Blue Rose is in that location now. I haven't been yet, but it looks like they are keeping some of the vibe. https://www.bluerosetacoma.com/
I've heard a few people recommend the McMenamins Elks Temple and I think it's about time I get my family over there! We've been pretty busy over the last few months with home renovations, but now that we finally finished the last thing on our to-do list, <a href="https://www.nhance.com/tacoma/cabinet-painting-graham-wa/">painting our cabinets</a>, I'd like to get my family over there! Thank you for sharing!
Also, 58% of Pierce County voters cast their ballot against Trump in 2020.
Interesting. Yeah, it's pretty solidly blue, though I suspect that's been trending down. Big military presence, and no public university (except a University of Washington branch campus now).
It’s not an issue abroad...one of the reasons we live outside the U.S. most of the year.
I was born in Tacoma but raised elsewhere and I came back in 2016. I am a former SF Bay Area resident, and was concerned about the availability of live music but between local venues and the 30-40 min drive to Seattle, I get all the live music I could want! I think I will probably stay here for the rest of my life. Between family, my awesome job and living in an amazing craftsman, I think I made the right decision to return!
Glad you like it so much!
Born in Tacoma. Recall the scent clearly. Yes, Tacoma has changed beautifully last two decades. If you love coffee try Bluebeard Coffee in Tacoma. Your taste buds will be amazed. If you go, please give Kevin (owner) a smiling hello from me.
Great journey through my old world of Seattle down the I-5 corridor to Tacoma & beyond. I lived in Seattle 26 years transplanted from eastern side of state in 1991. It will always feel to be home to me.
thanks again for the journey
My pleasure! Thanks for coming along!
Wow! I’ve lived 30 miles south of Tacoma (in Olympia) most of my life, and I’ve never been to any of those places.
Now that I think about it...the only places in Tacoma I’ve ever actually been to are Cheney Stadium and the zoo. So, maybe I’ve been actively avoiding Tacoma this whole time! 😂
Which I get! But maybe give some of these places a second look!
The Seattle-Tacoma relationship seems analogous to San Francisco-Sacramento. Sacramento has also been on the upswing as people flee SF for cheaper housing.
Pittsburgh seems like another good comp. Industrial town turned gritty cultural hub.
Good comparison though at least Sacramento got to be the capitol!
Great Frisco Freeze photos. I want to go!
It was wanting to take pictures that inspired me to research it!
Well, this Brit is charmed!
Now I DO want to come to Tacoma. Fascinating tour. Thank you.
My pleasure!
Oh I have some stories from Tacoma and Washington in general from my wild hitchhiking days
One doesn't hear much about stories from Tacoma. Consider me intrigued!
Every time I saw “Googie” my brain read “Google”. Even after you made the clear the distinction. Agree with the first commenter, too: your photos are fab!
It was hard for me to not write Google instead of Googie! LOL. And thanks very much!
I’ve definitely been reading too much U.S. politics material. I couldn’t understand why in 1897 a steamship of prosecutors arrived in Tacoma from Alaska!
No, never been to Tacoma. I’ve driven through though...on the way to Portland. Is it a drive by city like a fly over state? Lol.
BWA HA HA! That's brilliant! It is a drive by city for a lot of people...
I've lived in Tacoma for 3+ years and got married in the Museum of Glass. We love being here and would not want to live in Seattle at all – it's nice to go up there for concerts + events, but even better to come home to our "normal" city.
What a great place to get married!
Oh!! And you must try Howdy Bagel – our newest bagel shop + queer meeting place! https://www.howdybagel.com/
Next time! Currently in Vancouver!
Nice story, Michael! I’m so glad to hear that the aroma is gone. That happened fairly quickly as my partner and I and his daughter, her husband & baby drove through Tacoma then and she definitely had her aroma going strong (unless it was the baby)! That baby is now 16, so Tacoma cleaned up her problem fairly quickly! Thanks for the nice piece. I enjoyed it as my partner was from Seattle.
My pleasure, Robert! I'm glad you enjoyed. And while the aroma of Tacoma could be, the aroma of a full baby diaper was definitely worse! LOL.
Love that glass, and the high school! Most of the schools I attended had architecture in the "factory/prison brick box" style, LOL
Mine too. Which is surely part of why I like it so much.
I was born and raised in Auburn, Washington and the “aroma of Tacoma” was a very real thing! I lived in the Seattle area more than Tacoma until about 10 years ago when I started directing shows at two of the venues found in the Tacoma area; Tacoma Little Theatre, which has been around for 100+ years, and Lakewood Playhouse, which is south of Tacoma and has been having financial difficulty the last year or so.
When I was young, I would not have been caught dead visiting Tacoma (and it was a real possibility you would be shot if you did!) Now I love to visit and see friends. My favorite restaurant is Stink Meat, Cheese and Wine Bar. Great place!
I hear great things about Stink Meat!
It actually just got bought out – they're looking for a new home. In the mean time, the Blue Rose is in that location now. I haven't been yet, but it looks like they are keeping some of the vibe. https://www.bluerosetacoma.com/
I've heard a few people recommend the McMenamins Elks Temple and I think it's about time I get my family over there! We've been pretty busy over the last few months with home renovations, but now that we finally finished the last thing on our to-do list, <a href="https://www.nhance.com/tacoma/cabinet-painting-graham-wa/">painting our cabinets</a>, I'd like to get my family over there! Thank you for sharing!
Of course! Enjoy!