Tacoma is a great city. It has a strong sense of community, a vibrant creative culture, and stunning views of the Puget Sound and surrounding mountains. At the same time it remains underrated and overshadowed. Once you’ve spent time here it’s surprising that it’s reputation among outsiders hasn’t improved.

It’s no secret that Tacoma has seen a slow but steady surge of growth over the past several years. As Seattlites are priced out of the Emerald City there has been an influx of transplants to Grit City. People who are relocating to Washington from out of state are also choosing to put down roots in Tacoma. That being said, people who have been here for years say that they’ve heard this story before - that the big boom is coming, but it’s never materialized.

Regardless, it feels like Tacoma is at a pivotal point in its history. Depending on who you talk to this can be a good or a bad thing. Most likely it’s a little bit of both. There is fear that the collateral damage of rapid growth that has plagued other cities will happen in Tacoma too. Prices are rising and neighborhoods like Hilltop are experiencing gentrification at an alarming rate. At the same time Tacoma needs economic growth. It needs more (affordable) housing and more (local) jobs. On the bright side, Tacoma’s character throughout this recent growth has remained intact.

I moved to Tacoma in October of last year to help open TPC, and it already feels more like home than many places I’ve lived before. Not only are the people welcoming, but they love Tacoma. I felt this in the first week I lived here. Often in a city you hear longtime locals express how much that city has changed; how it used to be better. On the contrary, Tacoma locals are more excited about the city than ever. If Tacoma is a place you’ve only seen glimpses of stuck in traffic on I-5, I’d highly recommend pulling off and exploring it for yourself.

I asked a few TPC members, who are also active members of the community, their thoughts about this recent growth and what makes Tacoma so special… check out what they weighed in with!

Erik Hanberg, KNKX Marketing Manager and Author

Casey Hubbell, Founder of Yoga Wild

Angela Westergreen, Founder of Community Photo

Maria Sevier, Founder of NW GIS Consulting

Michelle Matlock, Founder of Circle Up Productions

What makes Tacoma unique?

• I like to say that Tacoma is a small enough you can make a difference, but a big enough city that it matters. In other words, because of that small size, we can be very accessible, so we're an easy place to come and be an artist or run for office or start a business. At the same time, we're big enough that if you do any of those things, there's a solid base of people you're working with. It's a great mix and that helps have a distinct identity. (EH)

• I think Tacoma is unique because it's a city with a small-town vibe. It's easy to bump into someone you know on the street or at a restaurant. (CH)

• What makes Tacoma unique is the small town feel with a big city vibe. Small connected neighborhoods, with great cultural, restaurant and event access. (AW)

• To me Tacoma is a small town in a big city.  It has all of a big city’s amenities but feels as if you are living in a small town.  Most people here in the space of a day run into someone that they either know or they both know the same person.  It’s a place where there are only a few degrees of separation.  You don’t often get that feeling in a large city. (MS)

• At this moment what makes Tacoma unique is that it is not completely defined and who knows if it will ever be completely defined. I do know that I think that is why when you come here as an entrepreneur it really feels like anything is possible. (MM)

Why is it a great place to live?

• I personally appreciate that the people are friendly and welcoming; we are still relatively affordable; we have good parks and schools; getting around the city is easy via transit or car; our art scene is growing by leaps and bounds; and there's an abundance of natural beauty. Sure, that part is true for almost anywhere in the Puget Sound, but Tacoma has miles and miles of public waterfront promenades and an old-growth forest with great hiking trails within the city limits. Plus Mount Rainier looks better from Tacoma than it does from Seattle. (Sorry, Seattle, but it's true.) (EH)

• I love that I can get from downtown to Pt Defiance in a short drive. Or Tacoma Nature Center or Wright Park or Titlow or the waterfront. Nature is accessible and nearby. (CH)

• We moved to Tacoma to live in a smaller more connected town, but also it has a genuine arts and culture scene. We love the community events, hosted from North to South. (AW)

• This hearkens back to my first answer.  I love living in Tacoma because it feels like a community not just a place to live.  It’s filled with fun things to do, ways to support your neighbors and art, lots of art (music, theater, physical art, artful activities, etc). (MS)

• Tacoma is a great place to live because the people here are friendly and will say hello to strangers, there are so many things to do from theater to art to sports to street fairs and restaurants. Events are always happening. Tacoma's beautiful Commencement Bay, Pt. Defiance  and Wright Parks also make it a great place to live. But the #1 great aspect of living in Tacoma, is the stunning view of Mt. Rainier on a clear day. (MM)

What do people not know or underestimate about Tacoma?

• Everyone underestimates Tacoma, even the people who live here. (EH)

• Tacoma supports it's small businesses and artists and makers and creatives. There are amazing markets and festivals, great ways to support local. (CH)

• People often have the misconception that Tacoma is a much smaller town with less access. Also, that it smells. IT DOESN'T. (AW)

• I think that most people who don’t know Tacoma expect it to be conservative or not progressive.  It’s really neither.  I love that in Tacoma there’s a wonderful mix of many things, thinkers, feelings, expressions.  In Tacoma you can find lots of fun things to do, varied conversations, support from community, progressive thinking, etc. (MS)

• Okay, it was a few years back but The Advocate voted Tacoma the #1 Gayest city in America!! Tacoma is out of this world supportive of it's LGBTQ community. Pride is in July and they raise the rainbow flag on top of the Tacoma Dome in celebration. (MM)
  

How do you feel about the city's growth at the moment?

• I am for it. Tacoma is for everyone. I think we can keep our soul while welcoming more people into the fold. (EH)

• Tacoma is growing and I appreciate that many groups are working hard to support local businesses. (CH)

• Newcomers to Tacoma will do best to respect the cities integrity, and not be afraid to connect with folks. I'm optimistic the the growth Tacoma experiences will create more opportunity for citizens. (AW)

• I find myself conflicted by the rate of growth not the actual growth.  I think that if Tacoma tried to stay static then it would grow stale.  It’s growth that allows our City to remain dynamic and creative.  It’s growing so fast though there are HUGE challenges being created with our infrastructure.  How do we maintain healthy living for everyone when we are growing so fast?  This is resulting in more homelessness due to raises in housing costs and transportation issues, etc.  It’s a question that I think we all need to consider and be a part of working through to find an answer. (MS)

• Fantastic! Anything is possible. It's also hard and can be uncomfortable for some. But it's inevitable. The city will grow and as long as our city officials carry out what is good for the majority, then Tacoma can become even more of a unique destination. (MM)

Live in Tacoma or thinking of moving here? We’d love for you to visit our coworking space. Virtual offices, coworking memberships, and private offices are available on month to month memberships and meeting rooms are available to rent by the hour.