Aberdeen

Central Park of Washington state doesn’t look anything like the famous park in NYC, but it too provides a natural oasis. Surrounded by pine tree landscapes and scenic parks, it may pique the interest of outdoorsy folks. “My mom and dad lived there for years. They loved it there because it’s a little bit rural feeling, not in town yet so close to Aberdeen, Montesano and Olympia. It was very convenient for them,” says broker Joy Beard, who works with Windermere Real Estate and has over two decades of experience in the area. This community in Grays Harbor County remains calm and quiet, except for the sound of retirees mowing their lawns and children playing in spacious backyards. Central Park’s population of about 3,000 people don't quite live in the countryside. Their homes are denser than in farmlands, but they still enjoy some extra space. Located between the more built-up areas of Montesano and Aberdeen, Central Park residents can drive about 5 miles to either town for grocery shopping or to go out to eat. Just east of Aberdeen, Central Park’s roads feel rural and peaceful, with rolling hills of pine trees in the distance. There are often evergreen trees separating yards, some with Japanese maples and hosta plants to add some decoration. The lots, many half an acre in size, allow for animals but don’t lend themselves to full-scale farms. “You can have goats and horses and different things in Central Park easier, get a bigger piece of land and build a shop out there,” Beard says. Most homes have midcentury architecture, including ranch-style houses and split-levels. Many of the houses have attached garages and RV parking for frequent campers. On Fairway Drive, buyers can find some larger, contemporary homes built in the 2000s. Ranch-style homes and split-levels range from $350,000 to $450,000, while the newer homes range from $500,000 to $650,000. The housing is desirable: “Everything in the market right now is starting up a bit. They seem to go pretty fast because they have a lot of one-story and more newer construction than in Aberdeen,” Beard says. Friends Landing is a local park and camp site on the Chehalis River. It features a paved trail just over 1.5 miles around Lake Quigg, where locals can bird watch as they stroll past peaceful water scenery. The park has boat launches on the lake and river as well as fishing docks in both areas. It's also a popular spot for its playground and rentable picnic shelters ideal for barbeques. At Grays Harbor Country Club, golfers can play on a nine-hole course surrounded by trees or go swimming in the pool during the summertime. Lake Sylvia State Park, once a logging site, now provides visitors with kayaking in the lake or beach swimming in roped off deep and shallow sections. Anglers delight in the stocked waters full of trout, bass and perch, while hikers explore the scenic pine forest trails. With the Olympic National Forest to the north and Capitol State Forest to the south, outdoorsy Central Park residents can take their pick of camping and hiking deep in the wilderness of Washington state. Residents can drive into Montesano to for a walkable shopping area set along a handful of blocks on Main Street. At Lemon Hill Cafe & Bookstore, patrons can look through shelves of classics and new releases, then order French press coffee. They can even sit down for full meals, ordering from a seasonal menu prepared by a chef classically trained in France. Gene's Stop and Go is a walk-up window eatery — no dine-in seating — where locals can eat burgers and milkshakes at picnic tables. For groceries, people can stop by the local store Pick Rite Thriftway. Next door is Valu Drugs Inc, a pharmacy and gift shop. The community is served by the Aberdeen School District, which earns a C-plus grade according to Niche. Central Park Elementary School also has a C-plus rating, while Miller Junior High School is given a C grade. J.M. Weatherwax High School has a C-plus rating and extracurriculars like chess club and photography club. If Central Park residents want to go to local events, they can head into Montesano for the Festival of Lights. This three-day holiday celebration includes activities like a gingerbread house contest, a Christmas music concert and a parade. The Historic Montesano Car Show kicks off every summer with a pancake breakfast and a contest for vintage rides. Central Park is a car-dependent community, so most residents drive to work. It's located 43 miles from Olympia via State Route 8. About 5 miles from Aberdeen, residents can easily get to the town center via U.S. Highway 12. Those who prefer public transit can catch a Grays Harbor Transit bus. For a nearby hospital, Harbor Regional Health Emergency Department is 10 miles away in Aberdeen. The Seattle–Tacoma International Airport is about 90 miles away.

The West End, located on the western side of Aberdeen, is a convenient neighborhood only a mile away from downtown. It’s mostly residential, so it’s not as bustling as downtown Aberdeen, but it still has two of the city’s mainstay restaurants. The area is also known for West End Playfield, a place where residents can get some fresh air and children frequently play on soccer fields. There are some local mainstay restaurants on Simpson Avenue, including the Lighthouse Drive-In. “The Lighthouse has really good burgers, especially one called the Little Anchor. It’s been around pretty much forever. They have good milkshakes, and they just got new owners within the last few years,” says broker Rikki Roberts, who works with Olympic Realty 2000 and has over five years of experience in the area. The fast-food joint features a drive-thru and casual indoor seating. Duffy’s is the other neighborhood favorite, a laidback diner best known for its clam chowder and razor clams, a regional specialty. For produce and discount items, residents can stop by Grocery Outlet. Aberdeen also has a walkable downtown area, located about a mile away, with a dozen blocks of local businesses. These include Tectonic Comics & Games, a shop with board games, video games and comic books. The West End Playfield has a playground, sports fields and courts, and a covered picnic area. “It’s a nice park there. A lot of kids have soccer practice and stuff at the park,” Roberts says. Located a mile east of the neighborhood, Sam Benn Park’s main draw is its disc golf course, although its tennis courts also bring many to the park. Stewart Memorial Park, a park about 2 miles northeast, offers a hiking trail with wooden bridges through towering fir trees and ferns. It also has a picnic pavilion. The neighborhood is composed of urban, grid-style blocks of houses, many built through the 1910s and 1920s. The lots tend to be compact at around 5,000 square feet, with garden beds and sometimes brick or stonework landscaping. The local architecture includes Cape Cods, Colonial Revivals and Craftsman bungalows. Most homes in West End range from $250,000 to $400,000. Prospective buyers may want to keep a close eye on the market, as inventory is low. The hometown of Nirvana, Aberdeen hosts World Music Day in June. Visitors can see free concerts throughout the entire city from street performers to headliners on the main stage. At the Splash Festival, which celebrates the Fourth of July, there are activities like a bounce house, a magic show and a fireworks display. The Walk of the Undead happens in mid-October and includes a zombie parade as well as a hearse car show. Kids in West End start at McDermoth Elementary School and then move on to Miller Junior High School, which both have a C rating from Niche. J.M. Weatherwax High School, also known as Aberdeen High School, has a C-plus rating. The high school features extracurriculars like chess club and photography club. A private option is St. Mary School, a Catholic school serving kindergarten through eighth grade. It earns an A on Niche. The West End is a semi-walkable community thanks to its grid-style streets and nearby downtown. Those who prefer public transit can catch a Grays Harbor Transit bus at multiple stops along Sumner Avenue and Simpson Avenue. For a nearby hospital, Harbor Regional Health Emergency Department is only about a mile away, also in Aberdeen. It's located 50 miles from Olympia via State Route 8. The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, the closest international airport, is about 100 miles away.