What is it actually like to live in Downtown Tacoma?
That’s the question Tacoma real estate agent and MoveToTacoma.com creator Marguerite Martin set out to answer in a recent video after moving back to downtown about six months ago. While Marguerite has lived in dozens of neighborhoods and towns throughout Pierce County during her life, Downtown Tacoma is the place she has returned to the most as an adult. People who live downtown are incredibly well connected within the city. Nonstop buses, the sounder commuter train, and amtrak take Tacoma commuters from downtown to Seattle directly. Tacoma also has 7 daily trains to Downtown Portland on Amtrak. Downtown Tacoma dwellers have proximity to museums and restaurants, an easy commute to every single other Tacoma neighborhood, and the steady creative energy of the city.
In the video below, Marguerite shares a glimpse into what everyday life looks like living in Downtown Tacoma in 2026.
Everyday Life Living in Downtown Tacoma
Like many residents of downtown, Marguerite spends a lot of time working in and around the Downtown Tacoma neighborhood. As a Tacoma real estate agent who helps people moving to Tacoma find the right agent and neighborhood for them. Marguerite’s workdays often involve meeting clients on zoom and at local coffee shops, attending events, and connecting with people across the city. But outside of work, she’s been focusing on two things lately: spending time with friends and trying something new creatively. Her recent favorite activities offer a small window into what life in Downtown Tacoma can look like.
Lunch at Not Bad Sandwiches
One of Marguerite’s favorite casual lunch spots downtown is Not Bad Sandwiches. The shop has quickly built a following for its French-inspired sandwiches. The owner Dave previously worked at the well-known Seattle restaurant Le Pichet, and the menu reflects that influence with carefully prepared, flavorful sandwiches that feel both elevated and approachable.
Trying Something New: Painting at Artsi Creative Space
One of the most unexpected discoveries since moving back downtown has been learning how to paint. After interviewing local artist Catherine Feeney on the Move to Tacoma podcast about the South Sound Plein Air painting group, Marguerite mentioned she was interested in painting but had no idea where to start. Feeney recommended Artsi Creative Space, a studio on Tacoma Avenue that offers beginner-friendly painting classes where participants can simply show up and create. For about $50, the studio provides all the supplies, instruction, and even handles the cleanup. The relaxed environment makes it easy for people with no previous experience to try painting for the first time. Warning: It may be fun but your walls will start filling up with your practice paintings!
Downtown Tacoma’s Museums
Living downtown also means being within walking distance of several of Tacoma’s most important cultural institutions. Two that Marguerite has been revisiting recently include:
Tacoma Art Museum
Located just a short walk from many downtown apartments and condos, Tacoma Art Museum offers free admission every Thursday evening from 5–8 PM.
Washington State History Museum
Just across the Bridge of Glass, the Washington State History Museum hosts rotating exhibits about the region’s history and culture. Admission is free on the third Thursday of each month from 3–8 PM.
For residents who want to explore Tacoma’s museums more frequently, the Tacoma Public Library also offers museum passes that community members can check out.
A Well Connected, Creative Neighborhood
Downtown Tacoma continues to attract residents who value walkability, culture, and easy access to the waterfront, museums, restaurants, and public spaces. While Marguerite jokes that many evenings still involve simply staying home and relaxing, she says one of the pleasures of living downtown is knowing that interesting things are always happening just a short walk away.
From lunch spots and art studios to museums and community events, the neighborhood offers an ever-expanding list of things to explore.
Coffee Shops and Work Spots in Downtown Tacoma
If you’re moving to Tacoma,working remotely, or looking for a great place to work on your laptop, this video highlights some of Marguerite Martin’s favorite remote work spots in Downtown Tacoma.
As Marguerite notes in the video, this is not a complete list. These are simply the places she has personally been spending the most time in recently as part of her everyday routine. Downtown Tacoma has many more excellent coffee shops, cafés, and work-friendly spaces worth exploring.
As the creator of MoveToTacoma.com and host of the Move to Tacoma Podcast, Marguerite spends much of her workday on Zoom calls with people relocating to Tacoma, as well as meeting clients and colleagues around the city. That means she’s constantly discovering places where it’s easy to settle in with a laptop, meet someone for coffee, or get a few hours of focused work done.
Downtown Tacoma offers an impressive range of independent coffee shops and locally owned cafés, many of which provide comfortable seating, welcoming atmospheres, and excellent coffee from regional roasters.
In this video, Marguerite highlights a few of the spots she’s been visiting most often lately:
• Outer Dark Coffee (South 9th & Market) — A locally roasted favorite located right across from Tacoma City Hall. It’s an ideal stop for coffee before a city council meeting or a quick place to work between appointments.
• Ebony & Ivory Coffee (South 13th & Broadway) — Plenty of seating, convenient parking, and a reliable meeting spot for clients and visitors coming into Tacoma.
• Third Space Coffee — A downtown favorite serving Naomi Joe Coffee, known for its excellent breakfast biscuits and thoughtful conversations about the real economics of running a Tacoma small business. Owner Kevin Lee was also a guest on the Move to Tacoma Podcast about “How to Open A Coffee Shop in Tacoma.”
• Jin Jin Matcha — A beautiful matcha café that offers a great alternative to traditional coffee shops while still providing a calm, productive workspace.
• Happy Belly — A cozy vegetarian café that’s welcoming for laptop work and casual meetings.
Tacoma consistently punches above its weight when it comes to local coffee culture. From independent roasters to community-focused cafés and coworking-style spaces, the city offers plenty of places where remote workers, entrepreneurs, and creatives can settle in and get work done.
What is Move to Tacoma?
Move to Tacoma is a podcast, neighborhood guide, and blog about Tacoma, Washington created by 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.
