<human>: I currently live in the St. Louis, Mo.  I have always been interested in moving away and experiencing life somewhere else.  I would like to get out of the Midwest and find some place with mountains, kayaking, hiking, camping etc. However, I still would like to live in or near a city for work and shopping purposes.

I have been searching on the internet and have stumbled across a few places I think I would like to live, one being Tacoma.  When I was younger I visited my aunt who lives in Seattle and remember liking it a lot. 

Here are my questions...
Is Tacoma comparable to Seattle?  Can anyone who lives there tell me what you like and don't like about it? How expensive is cost of living? How is the job market?

Any tips or recommendations for someone looking to move this cross country/out of state? I am looking to move get my affairs in order and move in about 1-2 years.

Real Quick info about me...
I am 26. Am not married. I have no kids. I have a degree in graphic/web-design and I currently am working for a company doing website development/management.

Provide a brief overview of the text.
<bot>: Looking to move cross country in the next 1-2 years. Any advice? Tacoma Washington has peaked my interest. Any info on living in Tacoma, WA?