If you’re moving to Tacoma in 2026 you probably have a lot of questions. This guide has the answers! Move to Tacoma has everything you need to research neighborhoods, learn about Tacoma, and find your perfect place here in the City of Destiny. We’ve been helping people move to Tacoma for decades.
Are you Moving to Tacoma in 2026?
Tacoma real estate agent Marguerite Martin has been helping people relocate to Tacoma since 2005. In 2015 she created this site, MovetoTacoma.com to help people moving to Tacoma (even people moving around the greater Tacoma area). Move to Tacoma is a blog, podcast, and neighborhood guide that’s now helped hundreds of people find their place in the city of destiny. There are hundreds of videos, blog posts, and podcasts that include interviews with Tacomans of all kinds about what it’s really like to move to Tacoma- and live here! Marguerite breaks it down in this video here:
The site helps people moving to Tacoma find a ton of information about living in Tacoma, Washington and Pierce County in general. Move to Tacoma is a blog, podcast, youtube channel, and neighborhood guide to Tacoma, Washington.
- Move to Tacoma Neighborhood Guide
- Move to Tacoma Podcast
- Move to Tacoma Youtube Channel
- Move to Tacoma Blog
Each of these elements of the website help support people as they explore Tacoma. Over the past 10 years we’ve elevated the voices of hundreds of Tacomans to share what they really think about living in Tacoma. Our guests have shaped Tacoma in various ways. From artists and musicians to politicians, business owners, activists, and more!
How do I choose a Tacoma neighborhood?
Tacoma is often described as a “City of Neighborhoods.” Many of Tacoma’s neighborhoods are built around business districts that feel like small towns themselves. Tacoma has dozens of neighborhoods. If you include the greater Tacoma area (the surrounding smaller cities and unincorporated Pierce County) you have dozens more choices. To help you get a feel for where neighborhoods are in relation to each other we created the Clickable Neighborhood Map of Tacoma.
Each of the neighborhood guides has videos, photos, and information about each neighborhood. We built these pages by interviewing people who actually live in the neighborhoods to find out what they like about it. Dive into our full Tacoma Neighborhood Guide to learn specifics about each area. From restaurants and schools to architecture and market trends. We’ve polled local residents so you’ll get a real feel for each neighborhood before you even visit.
Explore Different Neighborhoods of Tacoma
North Tacoma -The North Tacoma neighborhood is the area that encompasses some of Tacoma’s most popular neighborhoods. Neighborhoods like Old Town, Ruston, Stadium District, North Slope Historic District, Proctor District, and University of Puget Sound Neighborhood are all part of the Tacoma’s North End.
South Tacoma & South End of Tacoma – People often mix up or use South Tacoma and the South End interchangeably- even locals! The South End and South Tacoma have become some of Tacoma’s hottest neighborhoods in recent years. They contain some of Tacoma’s most affordable neighborhoods and also some of its coolest business districts.
Eastside – The Eastside of Tacoma is located across I-5 from Downtown Tacoma to the Southeast. The Eastside is one of Tacoma’s most affordable neighborhoods. East Tacoma is one of the most convenient neighborhoods in Tacoma for commuters due to its proximity to I-5 and Highway 512. East Tacoma has many historic homes.
West End & West Slope – The West Slope of Tacoma lives up to its name. Entire neighborhoods were developed along the hillsides facing Gig Harbor, Fox Island, and the Olympic Mountains. The West End of Tacoma is located in the middle of North Tacoma’s biggest draws. People who live in the West End have easy access to some of the best parks in the county. The West End is surrounded Point Defiance Park, Vassault Park, Highlands Golf Course, Kandle Park (and the wave pool!) the town of Ruston, the Ferry to Vashon Island, and Titlow Beach.
Northeast Tacoma – Northeast Tacoma (also known as Browns Point) is located across Commencement Bay from Downtown Tacoma. Depending on where you’re driving from, commuting to Tacoma will take about 15-20 minutes. If you’re commuting to Seattle, Browns Point is as far north as you can live and still be in Tacoma.
Cities Near the City of Tacoma
There are a lot of different cities in Pierce County (let’s call them the “Greater Tacoma Area”). We list cities and neighborhoods across Pierce County on our Clickable Neighborhood Map but these below are touching/wrapped up in Tacoma: There are a few cities so close to Tacoma that they feel like extended neighborhoods.
University Place – University Place has some incredible waterfront and mountain view homes. UP is also home to the only Trader Joe’s in all of Pierce County. There are beautiful parks, schools, and a variety of architectural styles of homes available.
Fife – The City of Fife, WA is located between the City of Tacoma and the City of Puyallup. There’s a saying, “Fife for Life” and that captures the sense of history and pride that many residents of Fife feel. In Fife it’s possible to to find homes with more property than in the surrounding areas. From most anywhere in Fife, the views of Mt. Rainier are spectacular.
Fircrest – The City of Fircrest is located between Central Tacoma, Tacoma’s West Slope, and University Place. One of those idyllic “small towns” Americans tend to pine for, Fircrest is like something from another time. Conveniently located near Highway 16, it’s also a great choice for those with commutes.
Ruston – While not technically located in the City of Tacoma, Ruston is a small city surrounded by Tacoma. Ruston is nestled up against Point Defiance Park and Commencement Bay. Many homes in Ruston have incredible views of the Puget Sound.
How do I research and compare schools in and around Tacoma, Washington?
When people are moving to Tacoma and choosing a neighborhood- schools are often a factor. One thing’s for sure, EVERYONE has an opinion on schools- in Tacoma and everywhere else in America. Here at Move to Tacoma we’ve worked hard to make it easier for you to learn about the schools in and around Tacoma right from the experts. We’ve interviewed school board members, teachers, the superintendent of Tacoma schools, and experts on private schools and private school admissions in Tacoma on our podcast. If you’re researching Tacoma schools and want to go deeper than a scorecard on a problematic website– start here!
Marguerite talks with her friend and local real estate company owner Anne about how to research schools. Anne talks about the Washington State OSPI Report Card which is a great place to start on how to dig deeper into data about individual public schools:
Tacoma has open enrollment which means you can have children from the same household attending multiple schools. Finding the right school for your family is about more than ratings on websites. Anne and Marguerite encourage people to tour schools and speak to teachers and parents. Marguerite can help connect you to a local real estate agent who is plugged in with the local school community in the area you’re wanting to be in. Click here to talk to Marguerite one on one about moving to Tacoma.
Additional resources for researching schools in Tacoma:
Interview with Tanisha Jumper from Tacoma Public Schools – Marguerite had Tanisha Jumper, the spokesperson for Tacoma Public Schools on the Move to Tacoma Podcast to talk about growing up attending Steilacoom schools (and sending her kids there), and working at Tacoma Public Schools. Marguerite asked Tanisha all the questions her clients relocating to Tacoma ask her about schools and got clear, candid answers. Check out the interview here.
Private Schools in Tacoma
Full Interview with Cheryl Schenk, Private School Admissions Expert – Marguerite interviewed Cheryl Schenk who is an expert on admissions and private schools in the greater Tacoma area. For a list of Private Schools in Tacoma check out our article here.
Additional resources for researching Tacoma Schools:
Tacoma Public Schools Youtube Youtube Channel
Tacoma Public Schools Superintendent Carla Santorno Podcast
University Place School Board Member T’Wina Nobles Podcast
Washington State Teacher of the Year Nate Bowling Podcast
How to Research Tacoma Schools Video
Need help with like, actually moving?
There are a bunch of great moving companies in the Tacoma area. Definitely do your research, read reviews, etc- but these days we’re partial to Eco Movers because Marguerite has a friend over there. Eco Movers makes a real effort at sustainability with low-emission trucks, recycled packing materials, and partnerships with organizations like Move For Hunger, Mary’s Place, and Tacoma Tree Foundation. If you’re moving in or around Tacoma, they’re hard to beat.
Who is Tacoma real estate agent Marguerite Martin?
Marguerite is Tacoma real estate agent, blogger, and podcaster who has been selling houses in Tacoma since 2005.
In 2015 she created MovetoTacoma.com to help people learn more about Tacoma neighborhoods and what it’s really like living in Tacoma. She is the interviewer on the Move to Tacoma Podcast and the host on the Move to Tacoma Youtube Channel. In 2016 she was awarded the the Popham Award by the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce. The Popham Award honors the individual in the City of Tacoma that has done the most to build community spirit.
Looking for a real estate agent? Marguerite is a matchmaker. Contact her for an introduction to the best real estate agents in Tacoma and beyond.
How Move to Tacoma Works
Here at Move to Tacoma we’ve been helping people find their place (and their real estate agent) in Tacoma for over a decade. We recommend choosing a local agent that lives and works in Tacoma and knows all the nuances of pricing, neighborhoods, and the condition (and quirks!) of these historic homes.
Here at MovetoTacoma.com we help people find their place in the City of Destiny. If you or a friend are looking to buy a home in Tacoma and would like help learning about Tacoma neighborhoods and finding a real estate agent please reach out to us! You can click the contact form on MovetoTacoma.com. You can also schedule a one-on-one with Marguerite on zoom by clicking here.
Step 1: Explore the Clickable Neighborhood Map of Tacoma
Our clickable neighborhood map of Tacoma’s neighborhoods is our pride and joy. Click through to find images and videos of each neighborhood. The Neighborhood guides on the map also include median home price information, blog posts about the neighborhoods, podcast episodes about the neighborhoods, and candid quotes from local neighbors.
Step 2: Listen to the Move to Tacoma Podcast
The best way to learn about Tacoma is to hear from the people who live here. On the Move to Tacoma Podcast Marguerite interviews Tacomans who’ve been here generations and Tacomans who just got here. From business and technology leaders to politicians and activists and everyone in between. The Move to Tacoma Podcast will give you insight into why people move here and how they find meaning and happiness in Tacoma.
Step 3: Read the Blog Posts on MovetoTacoma.com
On the Move to Tacoma Blog we have been writing about things to do in Tacoma, where to eat in Tacoma, hot button community topics, neighborhoods and more since 2015. There are hundreds of posts to help you find what you love in the City of Destiny. From posts about where to eat and drink to interviews with locals- the blog is a great place to keep up one what’s happening in Tacoma and Pierce County.
Step 4: Get Realtor Referral from a Local Realtor
Marguerite Martin is a different kind of Tacoma real estate agent. Reach out to find out answers to questions you have about neighborhoods in Tacoma and Pierce County. When the time is right to start looking, Marguerite can connect you with a local real estate agent who specializes in the neighborhoods you love most. You can see reviews from past clients who’ve worked with Marguerite on Yelp and on Google.
