Late last year, I mentioned after deliberation, we had decided to sell our house in Tacoma. Finally, in late January, we received an acceptable offer and took the opportunity. The house is now sold and all things are moved.
After six and a half years of living in Tacoma, and just about five in the house that just sold, it had become increasingly apparent that the appeal that Tacoma once held was diminishing rapidly. I felt like I had done pretty much everything there was to do. I spent more time in Tacoma than any one place I have since college, but ultimately, I was finding myself burdened with a lot of questions — too many actually — and realized it was time to go.
I met some cool people in Tacoma. With some of those people, I started a band. Lots of things happened: I got married in Tacoma, I bought and sold my first house in Tacoma, I discovered I liked cameras a lot. I played a lot… in and around Tacoma, but that’s all over. I know a lot of people love Tacoma. Unfortunately, I just don’t. I have no real ties to the place and honestly I heard a lot of talk and saw little action.
All the best to you Tacoma. Have fun talking about parking lots and public squares. I’m yawning now, so I’m checking out. Be good.
Did you throw your toilet out the window before running off in to the distance like Chief did in “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest”? I certainly hope so. Congratulations.
Comment by Tim — February 27, 2008 @ 12:03 am
Thank for being honest. I moved here seven years ago, bought a building, remodeled it from a pride of ownership place, and started a business…. I am in the middle of my exit plan and I can hardly wait to get far, far away from Tacoma.
Tacoma…..
cronyism, backwards city planning, corruption, crime, a hyped but non-existent art community, and pettiness dressed up in a blue-collar, “gritty” suit.
Comment by Laura Hanan — February 27, 2008 @ 12:13 am
Tim, I did not. Though retrospectively, that sounds like a way more awesome plan than I actualized.
Comment by sparkrobot — February 27, 2008 @ 12:25 am
To where are we moving?
Comment by AP — February 27, 2008 @ 12:25 am
Hi Laura Hanan, I’m bummed to hear it didn’t work out for you either. I’d like to wrap all things up into a neat little package, but it’s too complicated for that. Best of luck to you on your exit. Cheers to Tacoma, and cheers to exit!
Comment by sparkrobot — February 27, 2008 @ 12:31 am
AP, my wife and I moved to Seattle. I didn’t mention this in my initial post for, well, a number of reasons, but it’s the regional location where I’ve found lucrative opportunity for many years. I was tired of looking at taillights and unfortunately, the Sounder train doesn’t run on my personal schedule.
Comment by sparkrobot — February 27, 2008 @ 12:37 am
Congrats on finally selling the house, spark! I’m sure that Seattle and it’s associated opportunities for work (and a shorter commute) will be great. Oh yeah, and more live music…
Comment by jamie — February 27, 2008 @ 9:23 am
Thanks Jamie. Yeah, I suppose there will be more music. I think this has occurred to me once or twice. :)
Comment by sparkrobot — February 27, 2008 @ 9:36 am
Congrats on selling the house. Which Seattle neighborhood did you move to?
I lived on lower Queen Anne for 7 yrs and loved it!
Comment by wa_skier — March 5, 2008 @ 9:05 pm
Thank you wa_skier. The Cascade neighborhood, which is now encompassed by the larger project that has been labeled South Lake Union. I’m guessing it’s likely not far from where you were. So far, it’s been great…
Comment by sparkrobot — March 5, 2008 @ 10:34 pm
Yep, very close. I was just a few blocks north of Mercer st near Aurora Ave. There is a great German pub called Feierbend we frequently visited in your neighborhood.
The ONLY thing I won’t miss about Seattle is the traffic and parking in that area. Sometimes it would take 30mins+ just to go from the Mercer exit to Queen Anne. All the new projects of Mr Allen have really made getting around a lot tougher.
When I first moved to Tacoma one of the first issues I read about was the “parking problem” on 6th ave. I almost fell out of my chair laughing. Are you kidding me?! These businesses basically doubled your property value and your complaining because you might have to park a block a way once in a while? LOL
Comment by wa_skier — March 6, 2008 @ 12:09 am
Funny you should mention it, went to Feierabend last Saturday. Awesome place. We walked, so a parking space wasn’t an issue (though paying monthly for the space is new).
Seems like the Mercer exit is pure evil, but there’s an Olive Way sneak around that’s breezy. People will talk a lot about parking in Tacoma. I think it’s part of the culture.
Best of luck in the City of Destiny.
Comment by sparkrobot — March 6, 2008 @ 12:29 am