Thinking about living in Tacoma? One of the best places in the Pacific Northwest, the City of Destiny has a lot to offer young adults—incredible outdoor recreation, a strong job market, affordable real estate, and plenty of things to do. Check out these five best Tacoma neighborhoods for singles and young professionals!
Central
Photo via @tacomajones
- Home Price: $183,854 median purchase price; $1,041 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 11% of Tacoma neighborhoods
Whether you’re a young professional looking for things to do in Tacoma or to start your career, Central has what you’re searching for! Located just five minutes from the city center, this Tacoma neighborhood has a great selection of trendy restaurants, entertainment, and nightlife in the nearby 6th Avenue Business District. Medical professionals in particular in the area will appreciate being close to St. Joseph Medical Center, MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital, or MultiCare Allenmore Hospital while living in Central. But of course, what ultimately draws growing young professionals to live in this Tacoma neighborhood is Central’s budget-friendly housing options—including Craftsman-style homes and apartments.
Things to Do in Central
Play 18 holes at Allenmore Golf Course, and wind down after with a bite to eat or a beer at the attached Urban Elk Restaurant & Bar. Take your furry friend for a walk or go on a scenic jog at DeLong Park. Watch the Tacoma Rainiers (MiLB) hit a home run at Cheney Stadium. Go for a bike ride or walk the trails surrounding Snake Lake at the Tacoma Nature Center. Step up your morning coffee game by grabbing a bag of French Roast or an Espresso Blend from Valhalla Coffee Co. Try Spicy Chicken Teriyaki, Shrimp Fried Rice, or Beef Yakisoba paired with a Green Tea Bubble Tea at Joy Teriyaki. Munch on the best burgers in Washington, like the Seoul Burger or Fire Soul from popular food truck Burger Seoul. Get your fix of Southern cuisine with dishes like Southern Fried Chicken or Liver and Onions—and be sure to save room for a piece of Paul’s Sweet Potato Pie—at Southern Kitchen. Or catch up with friends by the fire pit while enjoying local eats from food trucks and sipping on rotating beer and cider flavors at Beer Star.
Eastside-Enact
Photo via @mhgolightly
- Home Price: $160,712 median purchase price; $915 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 44% of Tacoma neighborhoods
With its incredible views of Mount Rainier and close proximity to Downtown Tacoma, Eastside-Enact is a great place for singles and young professionals to live! This Tacoma neighborhood offers spacious Craftsman and Victorian-style houses conveniently located near I-5, so commuters can easily get around the Tacoma area. This neighborhood attracts young adults because of the variety of dining and entertainment options, along with plenty of trails at Eastside-Enact’s several parks.
Things to Do in Eastside-Enact
Play a game of tennis at Cloverdale Park or go for a bike ride at McKinley Park! Spend the day mountain biking, walking the Swan Creek Trail, or visiting the community garden at Swan Creek Park. Attend Game Night or stay for a nice read at Mottet Library—or catch live entertainment, hit the slot machines, and more at Emerald Queen Casino & Hotel. Stop in for brunch favorites like a French Toast Sandwich, Deluxe Avocado Toast, or Dusty’s Breakfast Burrito at Dusty’s Hideaway. Chow down on an order of Truffle Fries, Gourmet Grilled Cheese, or Rainier Reuben at Top of Tacoma Bar & Cafe. Order Almond Crusted Sea Scallops or a Char-Grilled Filet Mignon paired with a Botanical Berry Mule at Stanley & Seafort’s. Enjoy a Bloody Mary or Cadillac Margarita while playing a game of darts at Brass Lantern. For dessert, try a Raspberry Filled Donut or a Peach Milkshake at family-run Helen’s Donuts & Ice Cream.
New Tacoma
Photo via @houses_of_the_northwest
- Home Price: $175,067 median purchase price; $903 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 33% of Tacoma neighborhoods
Encompassing Downtown Tacoma, New Tacoma is full of fun things to see and do—like the iconic Chihuly Bridge of Glass, which connects the Thea Foss Waterway to the Museum of Glass. Home to the University of Washington Tacoma and Bates Technical College, this neighborhood is ideal for college students and young professionals. While Port of Tacoma is a hub for jobs in shipping and cargo, there are also a variety of local opportunities at tech companies in New Tacoma. That said, with the Tacoma Dome Station just off E 25th St, it’s easy to commute to other parts of Tacoma or nearby cities in Washington.
Things to Do in New Tacoma
See glass artwork from local Tacoma artist Dale Chihuly, admire bronze animal statues, and more when visiting the Tacoma Art Museum. Play classic arcade games, video games, and pinball at Dorky’s Arcade. Watch boats enter the port or go kayaking at Thea’s Park. Attend a concert or sports match at the Tacoma Dome, or laugh the night away with friends at Tacoma Comedy Club. Start your day with a Granola Goddess Parfait or Vegan Sausage Wrap paired with a Green Sunrise Smoothie from Happy Belly Eatery & Juice Bar. Order Fried Zucchini, Tempura Prawns, or a Rainier Burger while listening to live music at Rock the Dock Pub and Grill. Enjoy entrees like Beef Ravioli, Sausage + Mushroom Wood Fired Pizza, or a Fancy Burger at Wooden City Tacoma. Wind down with friends and a Corned Beef Dinner paired with a shot of Belle Meade Bourbon at Doyle’s Public House—the “best whiskey bar on the West Coast.” Satisfy your sweet tooth with Marionberry Pie, a slice of Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake, or Bread Pudding from Corina Bakery.
North End
Photo via @theknicelygroup
- Home Price: $331,293 median purchase price; $939 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 78% of Tacoma neighborhoods
If you’re looking for a top Tacoma neighborhood for singles and young professionals, North End won’t disappoint! This area is filled with Bungalows and Craftsman-style homes with amazing waterfront views, especially along the shores of Commencement Bay—making it perfect for those who love to be outdoors. Along with higher education opportunities at the nearby University of Puget Sound, young adults living in Tacoma will enjoy North End’s array of local shops and businesses in the Proctor District.
Things to Do in North End
Go for a walk or have a picnic with friends at Jane Clark Park. Spend an afternoon fishing, jogging, or rollerblading at Ruston Way Park. See the latest film or attend entertaining events like Friday Night Frights at Blue Mouse Theatre. Get a full-body workout in at Town Athletics. Order a Tavern Double Burger, Beer Battered Fish & Chips, or The Ladder Pizza at E9 Firehouse & Gastropub—or “Engine House 9″—a historic firehouse in Tacoma. Try the Rainier Reuben, Salsa Verde Dog, or Murray Morgan Bridge Brat for dinner at The Red Hot. Get a plate of Red Curry, Crab Phad Thai, and other Thai dishes at Silk Thai Cafe. Enjoy a changing menu highlighting dishes from all over the world at Cooks Tavern. Fill up on Carne Asada Tacos or Del Fuego Nachos with a tallboy or cocktail at Brewers Row.
West End
Photo via @andersibsenhomes
- Home Price: $276,111 median purchase price; $1,003 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 67% of Tacoma neighborhoods
A family-friendly neighborhood perfect for ettling young adults and college students pursuing a degree at Tacoma Community College, popular West End is full of budget-friendly, single-family homes and apartments to settle down in. Residents stay busy thanks to the several museums, hidden beaches, and waterfront hangouts with magnificent views of Puget Sound sprawled across the suburban neighborhood. And with tons of green space and things to do at Point Defiance Park and Vassault Park, it’s easy to stay active. But with a quick 12-minute drive to Downtown Tacoma, singles and young professionals can easily commute for work or enjoy amenities.
Things to Do in West End
Play a game of baseball, go paddleboarding, or have a barbecue with friends while taking in the views of Narrow Bridge and the Olympic Peninsula at Titlow Park. Gaze at sea turtles at Pacific Seas Aquarium or meet Siesta the Sloth at Wild Wonders Outdoor Theater when you visit Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. Admire the beautiful Puget Sound while walking or biking the trails at Owen Beach. Play a game of mini golf, hit the arcade, or take up bowling in Tacoma at Tower Lanes Entertainment Center. Grab dishes like Grilled Lemongrass Chicken, Orange Chicken, or Classic Thai Fried Rice at Indochine on Pearl. Have lunch on the patio and try the Tuna Sandwich or Spinach Lasagna at The Antique Sandwich Co. Feast on Mexican favorites like a Lime Cilantro Burrito or Veggie Quesadilla at El Toro Mexican Restaurant & Cantina. Or enjoy a Falafel Sandwich, Lamb And Beef Gyro, or Shawarma Chicken at Narrows Gyro.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes
