Blog

Retiring in North Tacoma

By Christine Hall

Tacoma is a wonderful place to retire and North Tacoma, where Franke Tobey Jones is located, has its own special charm. North Tacoma has that small-town feel without being too small—the charming community is made up of several smaller neighborhoods, each with their own unique restaurants, shops and local conveniences. 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. Getting around is easy—the area is walkable (think tree-lined streets with pedestrian-friendly sidewalks) while also offering plenty of street parking.

Nature and small-town convenience rest side by side in North Tacoma. Point Defiance Park (home to Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium) is a 702-acre park that’s nestled on the northernmost tip of North Tacoma (next door to Franke Tobey Jones) and blends into the waterfront. The Ruston Waterfront, a scenic stretch of paved walking trails, is home to fabulous restaurants and beautiful parks that look out onto Commencement Bay towards Vashon Island and Brown’s Point. From community gardens and farmers markets to events at the University of Puget Sound, Tacoma’s North End is full of activity and things to do.

Whether you like to walk, birdwatch, boat, explore gardens, live near the water, eat in a variety of wonderful restaurants or live among historic homes, you can find it all in North Tacoma.
Especially for retirees, Tacoma’s location — about 25 minutes South of Sea-Tac International Airport — allows for easy visits from family and friends. This is also very convenient for grandparents who will want to maintain family connections. In addition to its ideal location, there are ample activities for retirees to enjoy.

The greater Tacoma area, just minutes from Franke Tobey Jones, has so much to offer. Located on Commencement Bay in the south Puget Sound, Tacoma is the third most populated city in Washington, and an increasingly popular city to call home. Less expensive and congested than Seattle, Tacoma has magnificent views of Puget Sound and Mt. Rainier, which is simply breathtaking. Tacoma is actually named after Mt. Rainier’s original name, Tahoma (mother of waters). Located 59 miles from Tacoma, the 14,411 mountain is easy to view from many parts of the city, and it’s the most topographically prominent mountain in the lower 48 states. The mountain and surrounding national forest and national park lands provide a variety of recreation options—climbing, fishing, skiing, snowboarding, hunting, camping, etc.

During the past decade, Tacoma has also become a thriving arts community with abundant museums and performing arts venues. Some of the museums include the LeMay Car Museum, The Chihuly Glass Museum and Bridge of Glass, Washington State History Museum, Tacoma Art Museum, Ft. Nisqually Living History Museum and Foss Waterway Seaport Museum. The performing art centers include Broadway Center for the Performing Arts, Pantages Theater, Tacoma Little Theater, Rialto Theater and Tacoma Musical Theater. The Broadway Center presents year-round world-class artists at three Tacoma theaters: Pantages, Rialto and Theatre on the Square. The theaters are home to many art groups offering a variety of year-round entertainment. Each year, the theaters play host to ballets, symphonies, live comedy, musicals, concert bands, popular music and other special events.

Another reason to retire in Tacoma is to enjoy comfortable year-round temperatures. Low temperatures in winter rarely get below the freezing mark, and you won’t see hot, humid and sticky temperatures in the summer either. If you like breezy, spring-like temperatures throughout the year, then Tacoma’s the place for you.

Tacoma’s desirability as a place to live attracts some of the nation’s most accomplished healthcare professionals. There are an abundance of excellent doctors just minutes from Franke Tobey Jones.

The natural beauty of the South Puget Sound and the comfortable summer temperatures make Tacoma an ideal place for active retirees. With a growing population base, more residential and commercial development, and a mix of great culture, friendly residents, lots of parks and gardens, historic homes, great doctors and a thriving economy, Tacoma is becoming a highly popular retirement destination.