The Gig Harbor neighborhood of Artondale allows its residents to achieve a relaxed lifestyle while having unlimited access to Puget Sound. Residents can live in luxurious waterfront properties or stay more secluded in a home with more acreage. “Artondale is a step more country than suburb,” says Jim Pullin, Managing broker at Skyline Properties. “It’s very popular versus other suburbs because it’s separated by the water; other areas don’t have that separation.” Lots of residents maintain an active lifestyle thanks to the number of outdoor activities provided by the water and Kopachuck State Park. Despite the community resting 3 miles from Gig Harbor and 13 miles from Tacoma, commuting to these cities is a doable task. “The people in Artondale love their community; they love where they live,” Pullin says. “They have a strong sense of community and are very friendly; the complete opposite of the Seattle Freeze.”
Many expensive properties dot the shores of Artondale.
Views from Kopachuck State Park are breathtaking at sunset.
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Kopachuck State Park for most recreation
“Artondale is part of Puget Sound and is very popular. There’s a lot of attention there because of the water,” Pullin says. “Hiking is really big out there; boating and fishing are also huge.” Kopachuck State Park provides these activities, plus some residents may kayak, swim or windsurf around the saltwater beaches. Renovations are underway for the state park, where it’ll receive a new kid’s area, welcome center and improvements to its beach area. These are expected to be completed by 2025. Harbor Family Park connect locals with nature through its forest trails. Golfers tee up at the nine-hole course at the private Gig Harbor Golf Club, where many tee boxes and Mount Rainier views are situated throughout.
The wet weather doesn't stop Artondale residents from there walk.
Trail wind through Kopachuk State Park.
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From 70s ramblers to 21st century craftsman
Artondale is a bedroom community with a signature style. “There are more single families and fewer townhomes; it’s similar to an urban sprawl,” Pullin says. “There’s a mix of ramblers or one-story homes. Another attractive thing about Artondale is that a lot of houses have a heavy amount of trees.” Homes vary from the 70s/80s modern ramblers with wood paneling to large 21st-century contemporary and craftsman-style estates. Waterfront properties start at around $850,000 for a condo and stretch to around $8.5 million for homes with private docks. Homes more inland can cost around $450,000 for a three-bedroom to $1.5 million for a four-bedroom, two-story; despite not having water views, there are still some perks. “If they’re not waterfront or water view, you would still get water access,” Pullin says. “Lots of homes not on the water get access. If you have a boat, you buy to get private or public water access.”
Artondale also has newer homes built into the central forested areas.
The newer homes in Artondale sit in lots full of massive trees.
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Bites and Shops in Gig Harbor and Tacoma
Residents wanting to get a bite to eat head to the commercial areas in Uptown Gig Harbor and Tacoma. Point Fosdick Drive has a handful of national chains but also contains local go-tos like the Greenhouse Restaurant, where steakhouse entrees are matched with a modern interior. Moctezuma’s Mexican Restaurant and Tequilla Bar serve Mexican entrées alongside an extensive selection of tequila and mezcal-based cocktails. Fondi Pizzeria takes diners to Fondi, Italy, and serves brick oven Neapolitan Pizza in a casual and homey setting. This same drive has the big box retailers of Kohl’s, Marshalls and Michaels. For groceries, folks head to Safeway.
Artondale residents are never far from lots of retail and eatery's.
Safeway it a pacific northwest staple in Artondale for groceries.
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Major renovations to Artondale Schools
Public school options are through the Peninsula School District, which rates an A rating from Niche. Artondale Elementary recently renovated its school, adding flex spaces for smaller classrooms and a larger library and common room. The school earned an A-minus from Niche. Afterward, students head to Kopachuck Middle School, which also went through a modern upgrade with new classrooms and refreshing interiors. The A-minus school has eight athletic teams for student participation. Gig Harbor High wraps up grade school years, receiving a B-plus from Niche. Students can enroll in one of six career paths including Business and Marketing and Skilled Trades and Art Science.
Kopachuck Middle School in Artdondale.
Artdondale Elementary School.
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Uptown Gig Harbor for indoor fun
Locals flock to Uptown Gig Harbor for all things indoor fun and culture. The latest from Hollywood can be seen on the screens of Galaxy Theaters. An afternoon at Ocean5 can involve a round of bowling, laser tag, simulation golf and modern arcade games. Teams gather to solve the multiple rooms of Escape Hour.
Galaxy Theater is IMAX theater located in the business area.
Out and about near the Galaxy Theater. The weekend spot to get away outside Artondale.
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Highway 16 is neighborhood route
Residents will need to have a car to access other metro areas. “Route 16 is the route in Tacoma,” Pullin says. “The Tacoma Narrows Bridge is a toll bridge; there is a cost associated with the great outdoors. A toll bridge is the reality in the Puget Sound.” Most locals work in Tacoma, where it’s a 13-mile drive via Route 16. Travelers who need to go outside Seattle are 37 miles from the SeaTac International Airport, which provides nonstop flights to over 120 international and domestic spots.
Tacoma Narrows bridge in Tacoma.
Highway 16 leads from the mainland in Tacoma from the Tacoma narrows.
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Important to Know
Buyers may want to be mindful that some areas, especially around the creek, have a flood risk factor.
Written By
Andrew Moreno
Photography Contributed By
Adam Michaud
Video By
Michael Carey
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Carly Bloecher,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Phase one has been released in the new gated community of Horsehead Landing by BASK. Horsehead Landing offers a rare chance to build your dream home in a private, 8-home luxury enclave near Horsehead Bay. Lot 4 is a 1.25 acre build ready site, it fully prepped with an approved 6-bed septic system, private well, site plan, & is foundation ready. This is your chance to partner with Gig Harbor’s
Peaceful split-level home on a quiet dead-end street in coveted Gig Harbor! Newly refinished hardwoods and vaulted ceilings create an airy feel. 3 beds on main + 4th bed down with spacious family room and 2nd fireplace. Deck overlooks large backyard backing to lush greenbelt with lower patio for outdoor living. Ample parking with 2-car garage, 3rd spot/turnaround, plus RV space. Minutes to
Tucked away “in the woods,” this Gig Harbor duplex offers a peaceful retreat just 5 minutes from Uptown’s shopping, dining, library, healthcare, and movie theaters. A fantastic investment opportunity—live in one unit and rent out the other! Each unit features 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, plus living, dining, and family rooms. Set on a full acre, the property provides privacy, space, and a tranquil
Phase one has been released in the new gated community of Horsehead Landing by BASK. Horsehead Landing offers a rare chance to build your dream home in a private, 8-home luxury enclave near Horsehead Bay. Lot 4 is a 1.25 acre build ready site, it fully prepped with an approved 6-bed septic system, private well, site plan, & is foundation ready. This is your chance to partner with Gig Harbor’s
Peaceful split-level home on a quiet dead-end street in coveted Gig Harbor! Newly refinished hardwoods and vaulted ceilings create an airy feel. 3 beds on main + 4th bed down with spacious family room and 2nd fireplace. Deck overlooks large backyard backing to lush greenbelt with lower patio for outdoor living. Ample parking with 2-car garage, 3rd spot/turnaround, plus RV space. Minutes to
Tucked away “in the woods,” this Gig Harbor duplex offers a peaceful retreat just 5 minutes from Uptown’s shopping, dining, library, healthcare, and movie theaters. A fantastic investment opportunity—live in one unit and rent out the other! Each unit features 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, plus living, dining, and family rooms. Set on a full acre, the property provides privacy, space, and a tranquil
Nestled amongst the evergreens in breathtaking, Gig Harbor, Washington, Skansie Pointe Luxury Homes is the ultimate neighborhood utopia. For those with children, Skansie Pointe also offers access to the best school districts in Pierce County. Enjoy a burger and a beer with water views or a luxurious multi-course affair, the Harbor has it all! With one of a kind boutiques, a state of the art movie
Rustic beach cabin at Forest Beach with western exposure and stunning sunsets over the Olympic Mountains and Puget Sound. Located in a quiet, neighborhood just 15 minutes from shops and freeway access. Private gated entry with a country driveway and plenty of parking. The spacious living room features a cozy cobblestone fireplace and large windows that frame the water views. Newer carpet &
Beautiful 7 years new home, Boasting an open floor plan with one bedroom on the main floor, a two-car garage, the Upper lever with 2 bedrooms, a full main bathroom, utility room, plus a spacious primary with a walk-in closet and 5piece ensuite. This home is situated on a picturesque acre with professional landscaping and beautiful, lush green lawn and a sprinkler system for easy maintenance,
People move to Kopachuck Ridge/Horsehead Bay for two reasons: waterfront living and privacy. With spectacular views, hillsides of massive evergreen trees, and miles of beaches, it's no wonder real estate prices are some of the priciest in the Puget Sound area. This 5-mile-long, mostly residential community, sits on the west edge of Lower Gig Harbor Peninsula, one of numerous peninsulas in the Puget Sound. Henderson Bay and Carr Inlet are the nearby waterways. Perhaps the most remote of communities on the peninsula, Kopachuck Ridge/Horsehead Bay was settled in the 1880s by home seekers who built tiny fishing cabins to accommodate their desire for solitude and waterfront living.
Today, the median home price of $1,220,000 reflects the growing popularity of the community and the continued desire by residents for solitude. Some of the costliest homes in Pierce County can be found here. Custom-built homes along quiet streets and cul-de-sacs offer eye-catching views of Henderson Bay and Mount Ranier. Five-acre equestrian estates can be found for about $3,700,000. Waterfront homes with three levels and a private dock sell for around $6,000,000. Realtor Monty Sisson with Coldwell Banker explains the appeal of Kopachuck Ridge/Horsehead Bay, “People who come here love the water and they also want land. That’s why micro-farms and small equestrian farms as so popular around here. For the most part, buyers on the peninsulas want to be left alone to pursue their interests.”
Kids attend schools in the Peninsula District, which has an A-minus rating from Niche. Voyager Elementary teaches kindergarten through fifth grade and has an overall A-minus grade from Niche. Voyager has a notable Special Education Parent Advisory Committee that helps enrich students’ education by partnering with staff and community leaders to promote broader educational opportunities. Kopachuck Middle offers sixth through eighth grades, has high proficiency scores and also has an A-minus grade from Niche. The Gig Harbor Tides has a B-plus rating from Niche and they offer both AP courses and a program for gifted students. As Realtor Sisson adds, “While newcomers can certainly afford private schools, they often choose the county schools here because they are highly-regarded and well-loved by the community.”
Another way that residents enjoy their privacy is by engaging in outdoor pursuits. Kopachuck State Park welcomes boating, sailing, fishing, and beaches for those who enjoy spectacular sunsets. It’s 6 miles from the town of Gig Harbor, and features 280 acres of forested hiking, a mile of saltwater shoreline and panoramic views of the Olympic Mountains. Cutts Island State Park is a marine park known for breathtaking views and for being home to local seals. Island living can limit buildable acres, so locals don’t begrudge the fact that Gig Harbor Golf Club offers only nine holes. Its spectacular views of Mount Rainer and of towering evergreen trees that line much of the course will make it easy to overlook too many visits to the sand traps.
Living on Kopachuck Ridge/Horsehead Bay is remote, to say the least, but that’s exactly why people like it. Rural island living does not normally offer many nearby shopping or dining options and that’s the case here, but locals have ways to draw customers. As evidenced by its name, Island View Market & Pub meets the needs of locals in two ways. They also support local farmers and growers. Rabbit Haven is a non-profit rescue and shelter for domestic rabbits. They offer adoptions and they welcome volunteers. Visitors will likely choose one or the other. When you’re ready for an afternoon of shopping or a night out, locals drive about 20 minutes to Uptown Gig Harbor. This historic town and tourist destination has more than 50 retail and dining options. Some will take their boat into the historic harbor and relax for a day or two. Check out Green.House; this upscale bistro offers outdoor dining and an extensive wine list.
The Puget Sound area offers plenty of waterfront communities with exclusive outdoor amenities. But if you’re looking for an extra level of privacy, you should spend some time learning about Kopachuck Ridge/Horsehead Bay. It may be the wisest investment of time you’ve spent in ages.
Property Mix - Square Feet
Artondale Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
13,343
Median Age
46
Population under 18
23%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
23.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$144,524
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$162,026
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.6%
College Graduates
52.1%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
24.2%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
63.6%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
42''
Average Winter Low Temperature
36°F
Average Summer High Temperature
76°F
Annual Snowfall
4''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®®
11/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®®
6/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
