Gig Harbor

Opulent homes. A vast evergreen landscape. Premier golfing. You can have all this and more in the northwestern Pierce County community of Canterwood. Located just minutes from Gig Harbor, this gated community provides both privacy and seclusion, as well as proximity to nature and plenty of city amenities. Along the winding streetscape that makes up Canterwood, you’ll find an abundance of luxury properties surrounded by towering evergreen trees. There are plenty of options around, from recently built ramblers with stone accents to custom-built houses that sit on oversized lots. Home prices in the neighborhood vary but tend to be higher than homes in neighboring Gig Harbor, typically ranging from the mid $700,000 range up to $2.7 million for estates. One of the many benefits of living in Canterwood is having close access to the expansive Canterwood Country Club. Not only does this private club offer an 18-hole course that provides fun and a challenge for golfers of all skill levels, but a membership also comes with a variety of amenities. If you want to practice your tennis swing, there are several tennis and pickleball courts to choose from. Members can reach their fitness goals for the day at the club’s gym and cool off at the pool afterward. The country club is also a popular place for members to throw a birthday party or family gathering, with the many private rooms available for rent. Public schools in the Peninsula School District are just minutes away from Canterwood, meaning students will have a short trip to their classes. Many children will start their education journey at Purdy Elementary School, home of the Panthers, before attending Harbor Ridge Middle School. Harbor Ridge is a B+ rated school according to Niche, offering various after-school programs for students, including a Jazz Band club, Spanish Culture Club and debate club, among others. Students will then go to Peninsula High School, which boasted an 86 percent graduation rate in the 2021-2022 school year and offers college and career services to help students with their path after graduation. Canterwood’s premier location puts residents just minutes away from the shores of Puget Sound, meaning there are plenty of waterside beach parks to choose from. This park is perfect for a mid-summer beach outing with long stretches of sandy shores with a scenic view of Mt. Rainier to boot. For a scenic nature walk, head to McCormick Forest Park, which has over 4 miles of multi-use trails that take you through vast, towering Douglas Fir trees. Residents can also take the trip down to Gig Harbor to relax waterside at Skansie Brothers Park or have an afternoon lunch in the picnic area. Living in the neighborhood provides residents with many nearby amenities, with its convenient location near Gig Harbor. You can get groceries for tonight’s dinner at Albertsons or Costco, and Target is nearby for any daily essentials. There are also several options around for a quick meal. Canterwood is just over 4 miles from the many locally owned eateries in Gig Harbor, whether you’re in the mood for pasta at Il Lucano Ristorante or American fare at Tides Tavern. With a plethora of upscale living options, and many amenities close by, Canterwood is a clear choice for your forever home.

Along the picturesque coast of Burley Lagoon and Henderson Bay, Purdy attracts those seeking a slow-paced lifestyle by the water on the forested streets of Pierce County. You’ll find a mix of single-family homes from the mid-1900s through the early 2000s, many of which are located on side streets that take you into the woods. These houses, which come in all shapes and sizes, surround you in towering Douglas firs on one or more acres of land. Prices for mid-century homes start at around $550,000, which will get you two bedrooms and approximately 1,500 square feet of living space. Or you can get a 2,400-square-foot home with three bedrooms for around $650,000 to $700,000. Purdy features a few housing developments as well, with ranch-style and contemporary Craftsman-style houses built between the 1990s and 2010. Though not as secluded, each home comes with a backdrop of trees that still keep you connected to nature. They’re fixed on spacious half-acre lots ranging from around $700,000 to $800,000. If your idea of the perfect home is in the woods with spectacular water views, then Purdy is your answer. You can find an 800-square-foot house for $700,000, a large five-bedroom home for $1.5 million and everything in between. Purdy Drive, the town’s main thoroughfare, runs along the water with a few places to shop and eat. Head to Local Boys, a community staple for seasonal produce from local farms and homemade products like their tortilla chips and sweet and sassy salsa. It’s also the place to go to pick Halloween pumpkins and Christmas trees. Be sure to head to the taproom in the back, where you’ll find dozens of beers and ciders from all over Washington. For a casual breakfast or a fun night out, float on over to The Float, a rustic pub decked out in sports memorabilia, famous for its chicken-fried steak. Come for the food and drinks, and stay for trivia, karaoke or live music as you gather with friends, family and fellow neighbors. If you want dinner with a view, visit Massimo to watch bayside sunsets over Italian food. Washington Route 302 crosses the water, separating Burley Lagoon and Henderson Bay. Along the road is the Purdy Sand Spit, known by locals simply as “The Spit.” Locals will frequently gather there, especially during the warmer summer months, to go swimming, explore the water on kayaks and canoes or to sit back and relax while watching the sunset. Students attend Purdy Elementary and Harbor Ridge Middle Schools, both of which receive an A-minus grade from Niche. They’ll finish their degrees at B-plus-rated Peninsula High School, conveniently located in Purdy. The high school is ranked in the top 100 schools in the state and features an indoor pool, which is used by the swimming team and open to the public. With homes secluded by the woods and local gems by the open waters of the lagoon and bay, Purdy will have you feeling at home in a town that knows how to enjoy the simple things in life.

With glistening waters as its backdrop, Gig Harbor North is a lovely blend of convenience, captivating natural beauty and waterfront fun. Known as the gateway to the Olympic Peninsula, it encompasses all that the Puget Sound has to offer, with quick access to historic downtown. The neighborhood is also the most recently developed area of all Gig Harbor. “Gig Harbor North has exploded over the last decade,” says Darren Rivers, Realtor of Keller Williams West Sound. “Lots of newer stores, and it has really changed dramatically. “There are a lot of new developments. Harbor Hill is one, and it has over 3,000 homes.” Gig Harbor North is filled with a variety of single-family houses, from modern cottages, detailed two-story Craftsman homes, rambler-style houses and stunning Northwest Contemporary estates near the harbor. You can also find condos and quite a few secluded cabins if you want to be off the beaten path. Most homes were built in 2016 and range from $560,000 to $925,000. Higher-end homes can go for up to $1.5 million, and residents enjoy landscaped, fenced-in backyards and spacious multi-car garages. “It’s nice, you are a little closer to your neighbor, and you have smaller lots, but there is a much wider variety of homes to live in, and it’s closer to amenities and freeways,” says Rivers. High-end homes offer covered patios, hot tubs and stone paths leading to cozy outdoor fireplaces and courtyards. And with a soaring green belt of spruces and Douglas Firs, Gig Harbor North residents have ultimate privacy and peace. Students attend Swift Water Elementary, Harbor Ridge Middle and Peninsula High School. Swift Water offers an annual STEM Night for students, a spring book fair and school supply kits to those who need them. Ranked by Niche as the No. 10 best high school in Pierce County, Peninsula offers art and chess clubs, as well as water polo and swim teams. The 109-acre McCormick Forest Park is a favorite in Gig Harbor North, with four miles of trails perfect for hiking, biking or horseback riding. Located on the Kitsap Peninsula, the park is blanketed with Douglas Firs, and some of the trails offer views of the McCormick Creek canyon, making for a scenic, peaceful afternoon stroll. Head down to the harbor to paddleboard, kayak, fish or take a ride on a Venetian-style Italian gondola. Or practice your swing at Canterwood Golf and Country Club, one of the area’s most prestigious private golf courses. This tranquil oasis offers an 18-hole golf course, year-round tennis, a cabana-clad pool and an expansive chipping green. “There’s also the Cushman Trail that’s a paved trail that goes all the way into Tacoma,” says Rivers. “People can ride their bikes or walk their dogs and not worry about cars or being on the street.” Gig Harbor North offers a few restaurants within the neighborhood, like Papa Murphy’s Take ‘N Bake Pizza, Sushi Bento and several chains. However, with the neighborhood just five minutes from Gig Harbor’s bustling main commercial hub, residents can quickly access a variety of shops and restaurants. “There’s Devoted Kiss Café for breakfast, a wine bar called Morso Bistro and Brix 25 for fine dining,” says Rivers. “All of these places have great views of the harbor.” Get day-to-day needs at Costco, Albertson’s or Target, but downtown is the place to go for mom-and-pop shopping. A tight-knit community, there’s always something to get involved with in Gig Harbor North. The annual Gig Harbor Maritime Festival and Gig Harbor Art Festival are two of the biggest, most popular events, but Rivers says there’s always something happening downtown as well. “Every summer, there's a farmers market, every Tuesday night, there’s a free concert at Skansie Brothers Park, and there’s a community parade once a year all the schools and little league teams march in,” he says. A waterfront gem with a close community and laid-back lifestyle awaits in Gig Harbor North.