The Best Places to Live in Pierce County
Between its breathtaking natural beauty and its vibrant community feel, Pierce County, Washington, is a place like no other. It’s a gorgeous and unique place that provides something for everyone. For outdoor lovers, Mount Rainier offers hiking and walking trails, incredible panoramic views, and natural wonders like Reflection Lakes and Christine Falls. The South Puget Sound area is great for water activities like kayaking and boating. For those who love urban life, Pierce County is home to several museums, as well as plenty of dining and shopping opportunities. A growing area, Pierce County is truly a great place to live.
If you’re exploring where in Pierce County to put down roots, this guide is for you. Each community has its own distinct character and opportunities for creating the home—and lifestyle—of your dreams. In fact, buying a home in the right neighborhood and then tailoring it to fit you and your family perfectly is often the key to long-term satisfaction.
Tacoma: Historic Charm Meets Modern Living
With its proximity to Seattle, its outdoor recreation opportunities, and its diverse cultural offerings, Tacoma is a great city to call home. It boasts an excellent park system, including places like Point Defiance Park (with walking and hiking trails and even a zoo!), and plenty of waterfront outdoor fun on Puget Sound and the Narrows Bridge area.
The incredible downtown area is home to many world-class art museums, unique shopping, and creative restaurants (check out Pacific Avenue for a fun blend of the historical and the modern). The Theater District, waterfront area, opportunities for antiquing, and Brewery Blocks make it a great place to spend a Friday night or a weekend afternoon.
There are some great neighborhoods in Tacoma. A few of them include:
North End offers historic homes and tree-lined streets. The area has a small-town feel and has recently undergone some revitalization. Some homes border Defiance Park, while others enjoy gorgeous waterfront views.
Stadium District gets its name from the unique castle-like Stadium High School. This area has charming old shops and beautiful old trees.
Older homes in this area have good bones and are prime candidates for bespoke remodels. Luxury updates like a chef’s kitchen or a spa bathroom allow modern living in homes that keep their original character.
Gig Harbor: Waterfront Luxury
A small town on the shores of Puget Sound, Gig Harbor is a charming place full of boutique shopping, tasty restaurants, and outdoor activities. With views of both Mount Rainier and the water, it’s a gorgeous place to live. There’s a solid and fun art scene in Gig Harbor, with multiple art galleries, performing arts studios, and art festivals. It’s a place with small-town vibes—Gig Harbor doesn’t allow large commercial retailers, preferring instead to feature small, local businesses. It’s a maritime town with a strong sense of community.
Gig Harbor is a popular boating destination with lots of bays, islands, and inlets. In fact, it has more waterfront property than any other place in Washington state. It’s a perfect place to live for people who love life on the water.
Gig Harbor is known for luxury waterfront properties and custom homes. Homeowners often invest in a beautiful home and then add on desirable features like expansive decks, large windows, and high-end outdoor living spaces to maximize the views of Puget Sound.
Puyallup: Family Friendly with Room to Grow
Known for its excellent schools, community atmosphere, and agricultural heritage, Puyallup is also the first city in Washington to earn the distinction of being an “Age-Friendly City,” meaning it’s dedicated to being a safe and accessible town for all ages. Puyallup hosts several famous events, including the Washington State Fair, the Daffodil Festival and Parade, and the Puyallup Farmers’ Market. It’s got a great mix of established neighborhoods and newer developments. It’s a good town for growing families and those who live with and care for older family members. In fact, multigenerational living (defined as three or more generations sharing the same home) is on the rise in Puyallup.
The variety of larger lots and suburban layouts in Puyallup allows for plenty of room for families to grow. From adding on square footage through additions, expansions, accessory dwelling units (ADUs), and more, renovating a home in Puyallup is a great option for many homeowners. There are also opportunities to modernize older homes to meet today’s living standards and keep the charm of previous eras.
University Place: Upscale Living with Natural Beauty
University Place, named for the University of Puget Sound (a school that bought land but never built), is a small suburban town on the banks of the Sound. Known as UP by locals, it’s a community-minded, family-oriented town. The strong schools and safe neighborhoods play a part in making UP an upscale yet down-to-earth place to call home.
University Place is home to Chambers Bay, where you can find great walking trails and the famous Chambers Bay Golf Course.
Many homes in the area were built between the 1950s and 1970s, which means they have great bones and are poised for personalized remodels with luxury design. Many mid-century homes are being reimagined with open floor plans and contemporary updates.
Other Notable Communities in Pierce County
Pierce County, Washington, offers so many great neighborhoods and communities that you’re sure to find the one that’s right for you and your family. Other options to consider include
Lakewood: Home to seven lakes that span a total of nearly two miles, Lakewood is a great place for lakeside living. It boasts established neighborhoods, one of the most diverse populations in Washington, and several golf courses.
Steilacoom: With small-town historic charm, Steilacoom offers a lot of parks and green spaces for residents to enjoy being outdoors. It’s a storied town with historical importance as a military outpost settlement, a French-Canadian fur trapping post, and more. The older homes in this area are beautiful as they are and are also perfect for tasteful and bespoke remodels.
Bonney Lake: With the gorgeous Lake Tapps nearby, Bonney Lake residents enjoy outdoor activities like swimming, boating, and more. Bonney Lake is a growing community with proximity to nearby cities. It’s a great place for new home construction and high-end remodels, as people who fall in love with the area make it their home.
Pierce County: Beautiful, Vibrant, Perfect for You
Whether it’s restoring a historic home in Tacoma, upgrading a waterfront property in Gig Harbor or Lakewood, or modernizing a home in University Place, a luxury home remodel in Pierce County will help you achieve the lifestyle you want in the neighborhood you love. With excellent craftsmanship and a great design, your kitchen, bath, or whole home remodel in Pierce County will be an investment in an already thriving community. If you’re ready to get started or want to talk about your dreams for your Pierce County home, contact us today for customized design-build remodeling guidance. We’re here to help.