Relocating to Fort Lewis Area

My husband just got stationed here from Tx in Nov. We live in the Lacey area. Its pretty nice. It does take my husband about 20 mins to get home though. Lakewood is not good. Thats what I was told when we first got here. We looked at a few houses there and I would have to agree. I haven't been here that long,but I have had no trouble living in Lacey and I feel safe with just my daughter and I when he is gone. Oh the the rain....Im still getting use to it. :) Its sure nice when the sun comes out though! There is plenty of nice parks and outdoor things to do.

Hi J.,

My husband was working on Ft. Lewis also as a civilian contractor until a couple of weeks ago. He was on the Stryker program, and recently got promoted to the training program for their instructors. Now he works in Auburn. Nice to meet another "civvy" wife, even if mine isn't technichally a "civvy" anymore. ;o)

Lacey is a really popular area close to Ft. Lewis. Also DuPont, but I heard it is pretty pricey. Alot of soldiers commute from both areas, and I've heard it's not that bad.

There aren't too many safe places in Lakewood to live--you have to find "pockets"(what I think of as safer portions of neighborhoods). There are alot of "rich" homes in gated communities here in Lakewood, as well as some homes near the water that are very nice, but again, they are probably going to be expensive. I know there are new homes over by Pierce College. They are around $450k, but then again, Western State is right around the corner. Steilacoom Park, however, is a great park, and CPSD is ok. I have(had) 3 in this district for 7 years now, and it could be better, but then again, that's been our experience with the schools they've attended. I've heard there are much better school within the district.

North Tacoma is really nice and safe I hear. There is Ruston near there and Point Defiance zoo and park. I don't know anything about their schools.

Puyallup and South Hill have great reputations also. Many new/er communities and their chools have excellent reputations. I've had friends whose kids attended.

Graham is also nice, and I've heard great things about their schools also.

I'd look up the Chambers for all the communities you're interested in, and check the sex-offenders databases also. We didn't thinkto do that before we came here, and our neighborhood's(in Lakewood) not what I would call a very safe one, but we keep eagle eyes on our kids at all times.

Oh, and whatever you do, STAY AWAY from Tillicum. That's all I have to say about there.

What I love about living here is no blizzard like conditions. Weather is somewhat mild(although I miss *real* summer and lightning/thunder storms), and it is ALWAYS green. There is so much to do, so many beautiful things to see, and who wouldn't love having a view of Mt. Rainier everywhere you go?! Also, Starbucks outnumbers 7-11 by oh, probably 3:1 at least. First time I've been somewhere and there wasn't a 7-11 on every other street corner. But it seems like there is Starbucks, and if not, there's always somewhere to get awesome coffee(LOVE eggnog lattes!!).

Well, I hope I've been some help. My email is ____@____.com if you'd ever like to chat about our husbands and their civilian work on a military post, women/mom chat, get coffee when you get here, or whatnot. My kids are older, but I'm still a mom and still love to chit-chat! :o)

K. W

DuPont is nice... Lakewood is closer to a lot of ammenities. Previous poster indicated that there aren't too many safe places in Lakewood... its all relative. I live in Lakewood in a great neighborhood right across the street from the Town center, Library, grocery, target, and a major bus depot. Every neighborhood in Lakewood is different. The neighborhood we live in is behind Park Lodge Elementary - older homes form the 40s and 50s, quiet neighbors. Homes are $180-$350k

If you want really great schools and a kid friendly community then commute from Puyallup (15 miles)

Hi J.,
Welcome to the area!! I grew up in Lacey and it really was a great place to live and go to school. My mom and sister still live out there in the Johnson Point area. There has been a TON of growth in the Hawks Prarie area and lots of new construction. My parents and step parents, and brother all work for the North Thurston School District. I think the schools are pretty good. I have heard that the Nisqually area can be a little tough. If you want to live near the water check out Beach Crest, Johnson Point, or places by Tolmie State Park. It's about 10 miles to Ft. Lewis from Lacey. Not too bad of a commute (for this area!).
I currently live in North Tacoma by Ruston Way and the Zoo. I really, really LOVE Tacoma but I would move back to Lacey in a heart beat!! Unfortuately my Husband and I work in Downtown Seattle so that won't happen any time soon!
I agree with the other moms on Lakewood... it's a little sketchy and I would not send my kids to public school there.
We lived in Chicago for about 5 years and I can say that the Midwest is very similar to the Northwest but with mountains! Trust me... being able to be outside in Dec & Jan with out 15 layers of clothing on is worth a few grey days!! You just need to remember that the water is now on the WEST not the EAST! That always messed me up in Illinois!!
Good luck!!
MB