Tacoma Family Medicine

Tacoma is the ideal location for training family physicians. The community provides a unique combination of affordability, outdoor and cultural activities, patient diversity and tertiary care hospitals that provide high quality health care services throughout Southwestern Washington. In addition, Tacoma Family Medicine residents are the only residents in the community (except those at Madigan Army Medical Center, which have little or no impact on the civilian facilities in the area).

The name Tacoma stems from the Native American name for Mt. Rainier, "Tacobet," meaning "Mother of the Waters." Tacoma is one of the West's most diverse cities. Just 36 miles south of Seattle and 28 miles north of Washington's state capital of Olympia, Tacoma is the heart of the Puget Sound Metropolitan area.

Climate

Think all it does is rain in the Northwest? You’re in for a surprise.

Tacoma’s average annual precipitation is 37.2 inches—that’s less than Miami’s 55.9 inches and New York City’s 47.2 inches. Most of the yearly 40 inches of rainfall occurs between October and March, with December being the wettest month.

Tacoma’s weather is incredibly temperate year-round; summer highs reach into the 80s, while daytime winter temperatures average in the 40s. Winters can be gray and rainy, but they’re not as bitter as those of most northern states. Snow may fall once or twice each winter, but it generally melts within a day.

Housing

More affordable than most neighboring communities, Tacoma has been discovered as an extremely desirable place to live. For this reason over half the residents at TFM own their own homes. Some live as close as Tacoma’s North End Historic District -- within walking distance of the hospital. Others live in a charming variety of neighborhoods such as the Proctor District, Gig Harbor, Ruston, Fircrest, University Place and Fife. The average home in Tacoma sold for under $200,000, more than $100,000 less than the average home in Seattle. Rent is about $650 a month, compared to average rents of $900 - $1,000 a month up north.

Business

The Tacoma area has most recently become a magnet for hi-tech companies. Pierce County is home to dozens of firms including Frank Russell, Labor Ready, Columbia Bank, Boeing, State Farm Insurance, Sagem Morpho, Microchip Technology, SuperValu, Milgard Manufacturing, Da Vita and Recreational Equipment, Inc., or REI. These companies have corporate headquarters or major regional operations in the area.

Tacoma-Pierce County Chamber of Commerce

You will find more information in the Tacoma-Pierce County Directory online. Another excellent website is the Tacoma Regional Convention & Visitor Bureau.