Growing community on the outskirts of Tacoma
Edgewood, a growing community on the outskirts of Tacoma, combines rural comforts and small-town charm under the scenic backdrop of Mount Rainier and the Puyallup Valley. The community is one of the most northern cities in north-eastern Pierce County, on the outskirts of Tacoma to the north and Puyallup to the south. “The community’s position on the edge of Pierce County makes it a great homebuying location for commuters because residents are right between south King County and Tacoma. You’re just a few minutes from Interstate 5 and Highway 167, so you can get to most places in about 30 minutes,” says Realtor Danny Alitzer, the managing broker of Mosaic Realty with over 20 years of experience.
A mix of contemporary new builds and established farmhouses
Living in Edgewood offers some wiggle room for buyers, with larger homes on larger plots of land and small farms. Buyers will find established homes like split-levels and Victorian-inspired farmhouses. The main feature that draws buyers to the area are new custom contemporary homes and million-dollar estates on spacious wooded lots. These homes tend to be contemporary Craftsman and midcentury modern inspired. Established homes cost between $600,000 and $900,000 and new builds cost between $900,000 to $1.2 million.
Students attend the Puyallup School District
“Another draw of this area is that the schools are highly rated. The school systems here are stellar and offer excellent academics,” says Alitzer. Students start their education at Northwood Elementary School, rated an overall B-plus on Niche. The school supports student success by offering an engaging library program with reading assistance, book fairs and digital tools. Students can also receive before and after-school care with its Right at School program. Students then go on to grades six through nine at Edgemont Junior High School, which has an overall B on Niche. Grades 10 through 12 attend the highly rated Puyallup High School, which has an overall A-minus on Niche.
Nature parks in the Puyallup Valley
Situated amidst evergreen woodlands and grassy wetlands, there are plenty of ways to get outdoors here in Edgewood. Edgemont Park is a local favorite for all ages, offering a play area, basketball courts, athletic fields and a wooded area with walking paths. For biking, hiking or birdwatching, head to Nelson Nature Park. This beautiful wetland area is a gem of the neighborhood, with recently repaved walking paths that meander through the acres of evergreen forest and marshy wetlands. There are opportunities to birdwatch and forage for berries or mushrooms.
Local restaurants and neighborhood grocery stores on Meridian Avenue
Anchored by Edgewood Town Center, the community's main drags along Meridian Avenue offer grocery stores like Safeway, pharmacies, and other daily necessities. There are even more big box stores and retail shopping at the Tacoma Mall. When residents aren’t in the mood for making dinner but want to avoid driving out to Tacoma, there are several locally owned restaurants. A Spoonful of Sugar is a homey cafe that’s a favorite for coffee, breakfast and lunch. Residents can have dinner at The Mill Steakhouse and Spirits, a rustic bistro with a wood-paneled interior and live music every Wednesday and Saturday. Residents are also just about 10 miles from downtown Tacoma, which has museums, restaurants, bars and entertainment venues like Tacoma Comedy Club. Neighboring Puyallup is another favorite, home to the annual Washington State Fair.
Getting around Pierce County
Residents are about 3 miles from Interstate 5, which connects residents southwest to Tacoma and the Kitsap Peninsula and northeast to Seattle and Bellevue. The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is about 20 miles away, making it easy to travel beyond Western Washington. For public transportation, there is a Sounder train station about 10 miles away, a plus for commuters. There are also bus stops along Meridian Avenue East, connecting residents throughout Pierce County. With its wide variety of homes, growing commercial area and green spaces, Edgewood is quickly becoming a favorite for those looking to buy a home in Pierce County.
Photography Contributed By
Perry Cucinotta
