Where to Live Now
By Roger Brooks, Ashley Griffin, and Carolyn McConnellResearched by Stefan Durham
Federal Way
Median Price $281,250
Number of Housing Units 34,738
What You Get Affordability, diversity
What You Don’t An urban downtown scene—yet
The Scene Federal Way’s proximity to Tacoma, Seattle, and the airport make it a popular commuter town. More than a bedroom community, Federal Way features established single-family neighborhoods filled with starter homes and houses built in the ’80s and ’90s. Prices rise progressively with proximity to the waterfront, but buyers can still find deals in upscale Redondo for between $1 million and $2 million (similar properties in West Seattle or Magnolia go for two and three times as much). Large Ukrainian, Korean, and Hispanic communities make Federal Way one of the most diverse suburbs in the area, a fact that draws many former Seattleites who celebrate living in a cultural melting pot.
The Love Story A Seattleite at heart, Marisa Flores never wanted to move south from Skyway, but she and her husband were lured by Federal Way’s affordability. They call their five-bedroom, 4,700-square-foot house a steal that fits their growing family perfectly. “Federal Way is the area’s best-kept secret,” Flores says. “In the first two weeks, I cried because I was living far [from Seattle], but now I absolutely love it.” Marisa now feels at home in Federal Way’s eclectic communities and enjoys the convenience of shopping (and parking) away from the big city.
The Transformers Chris Carrel has spent years disproving the idea that nothing but pavement and strip malls make up Federal Way’s landscape. As the executive director of Friends of Hylebos, he works to protect community green space, streams, and wetland habitats. To date, his group has preserved over 400 acres and recently contributed to restoration efforts in West Hylebos Wetlands Park.
The Future Federal Way is pinning its hopes for future growth downtown. Its Symphony project, set to break ground next month, will introduce four high-rise towers with ground-floor retail and office space, and residential units above. It also calls for a hotel and a Highland Community College satellite campus. Two more mixed-use projects are in the planning stages as well, as is a new 500- to 700-seat performing arts center. The city recently called for a feasibility study for the project, which could include a convention center.
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Published: May 2008
