Lakewood

The Central Lakes area is the quieter, residential half of the city of Lakewood, one of Tacoma's largest suburbs. Central Lakes offers suburban living centered around several lakes and neighbors Steilacoom, a sleepy coastal town. "It's a beautiful area that feels like suburbia," says Brynn Grimley, the communications manager for the city of Lakewood. "You look out your window, and you just see green." Residents enjoy proximity to outdoor recreation opportunities and are within commuting distance of Seattle. The larger Lakewood area borders the Lewis-McChord army and airforce base. "We have a strong relationship with the base," Grimely says. "Many of our residents are military families or retirees who used to be stationed at the base and came back because they loved the area." Homes in Central Lakes come at a variety of price points. Midcentury rambler properties start at $400,000, getting up to $500,000 for attached garages and 1/4-acre lots. Pockets of contemporary homes built in 2023 sit on uniform suburban lots. These homes range from $600,000 to $700,000. "The area is primarily residential with middle-income housing, active HOAs and that neighborly, kids-on-bikes kind of feel," says Grimley. "And we are working on adding sidewalks to the roads." For waterside properties, prices skyrocket up to $1 million or more. These luxury homes often sit on raised hills, with backyards leading down to private docks. From Craftsman architecture with exposed beams to stucco-sided Mediterranean estates, houses at the higher end of the Central Lakes price spectrum are anything but cookie-cutter. Central Lakes is part of the Clover Park School District. Students can start at Lake Louise Elementary School, which receives a B-minus rating from Niche. The school is walkable for those who live nearby. Then, it's on to Dr. Claudia Thomas Middle School, newly renovated in 2020. Finally, kids can attend Lakes High School, which offers advanced placement courses and is known for their athletic facilities, which include a school pool. Lakes High gets a B rating. At the peaceful Steilacoom Lake, locals fish off Interlaaken Bridge, launch kayaks or swim during Washington's summers. American Lake is also popular for swimming and has a short strip of sand for sunbathing beach-goers. The biggest park in the area is Fort Steilacoom Park, which draws visitors from all over for its 22-acre off-leash dog park and spacious kids' play area. With soccer fields and baseball diamonds, the park is a go-to spot for organized sports teams and, true to form for this neighborhood, there's a small lake at the center. And some lakes — like Lake Louise and Gravelly Lake, are small and private, only accessible to those who live around them. While Central Lakes is primarily residential, it's home to Lake City Pub, a classic neighborhood tavern with pool tables and live music several nights a week. For most shopping and dining, residents head to Lakewood Towne Center, just a few miles away. Daily errands can get crossed off the list at Target, Safeway and Marshalls. Fast food and chain restaurants sit alongside those big retailers, and the AMC movie theater is a popular spot for a date night. Tuesday farmers markets at Fort Steilacoom Park are held throughout the warmer months and feature more than just produce. There are local craft vendors, live music and food trucks too. Residents also enjoy outdoor concerts and the town's biggest event, SummerFEST — which includes a car show, hot air balloons, circus performances and other interactive attractions. "SummerFEST draws tens of thousands of people to the park, and it's totally free to enter," Grimley explains. Many Central Lakes residents brave the commute to Seattle for work. About 45 miles away, the drive into the city can take one hour — or two — depending on traffic. "There's a couple of choke points you can hit," Grimley says. "But when you plan accordingly, it's doable." Lakewood also has a Sounder train station along a line that runs into Seattle and up to Everett and a bus line into Tacoma.

Just 10 miles from Downtown Tacoma, Lakeview invites locals to slow down and spend a day on the water. Close to expansive lakes and peaceful public parks, this community draws homebuyers who want a slower pace of life without sacrificing convenience. The neighborhood is "close to I-5 and light-rail transit, which makes commuting to Tacoma and Seattle easy," says Realtor Joanne Stafford with Better Properties Real Estate. Joint Base Lewis McChord is just 5 miles away, which Stafford says "makes Lakeview a very desirable home-buying location for those working at the military base." Homes here give wallets a little breathing room, with prices well below Seattle averages. Homes range between $300,000 to $500,000, with most costing around $450,000. Ramblers are Lakeview's most common housing style, with spacious yards offering plenty of room to spread out. Homes here often have carports, garages or sheds to provide extra storage for vehicles or boats. Roads are wide with no sidewalks, so most residents depend on cars to get around. Students can attend Four Heroes Elementary School, which provides students with online tutoring to help empower them to succeed academically. Lochburn Middle School offers mental health wellness programs for its students, including peer-to-peer support focusing on topics like anxiety and social media. Both schools have a C rating on Niche. High schoolers can attend Clover Park High School, which Niche awards a B-minus rating. The school offers a program where students can earn community service hours by representing the school at fair booths or volunteering at city events like the South Sound Wildlife Refuge Clean Up. Boat owners love Lakeview because of its proximity to all the South Sound region's lakes, bays and inlets. Steilacoom Lake is the go-to spot to spend a misty morning on a kayak or small boat. Anglers typically visit the Interlaaken Bridge, as it offers expansive views of the lake and various bass and trout. Seeley Lake Park, encompassing over 47 acres of mossy woodland and grassy wetlands, is popular with wildlife enthusiasts and birdwatchers. There are maintained trails that loop around the park and its marshy lake, where joggers run in the morning and pet owners take afternoon strolls. Another favorite is Kiwanis Park, which has a large open field for playing frisbee or picnicking. Kids of all ages try out tricks at the adjacent Kiwanis Skate Park, where they can ride on skateboards, bikes or rollerblades. While many move to Lakeview and the surrounding areas to be close to nature and outdoor recreation, residents are also close to entertainment in Lakewood Towne Center. Locals can pick up new styles for their closets, get groceries, grab a bite to eat and more. Moon Rise Cafe serves up American classics for breakfast and lunch out of its casual, family-owned and operated space. Locals can chow down on hardy brisket sandwiches at BBQ Pete’s and finish off the meal with creamy soft-serve ice cream. For a happy hour delight, Ram Restaurant & Brewery offers a rotating list of house brews, cocktails and wines paired with an extensive dinner list. Groups can catch the latest movies at the AMC Theater, and families like to spend a Saturday at Catapult Adventure Park. Kids can let their energy out indoor tubing, playing in ball pits and jumping in bounce zones at this indoor amusement park. Residents are also close to all there is to do in Downtown Tacoma. Just 9 miles away on Interstate 5, natives can dine at an upscale restaurant, catch a play at the area's theater district or stroll through the galleries at the Tacoma Art Museum and the Museum of Glass. Public transportation is a highly accessible option for Lakeview locals. Plenty of Pierce Transit bus stops are placed on almost every street in the neighborhood, and a Sound Transit train station is situated at the base of the neighborhood. Residents are also right by I-5, which connects to downtown and Joint Base Lewis-McChord in under 20 minutes. For out-of-state travel, Lakeview is 30 miles from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Welcome to Oakbrook, a community offering small-town charm, spacious, established homes and a wide assortment of indoor and outdoor activities. The neighborhood is "just south of Tacoma but feels like you're in a secluded small town. Trees and long, winding roads tuck away houses, making it super easy to find a house that gives plenty of privacy," says Realtor Baggio Salivdar with Compass Real Estate. <br><br>Established midcentury homes are a feature here, with most homes built between the 1960s and 1980s. You'll find spacious split-levels and rambling ranches throughout the neighborhood, interspersed with a few gated communities. In this suburban area, plenty of yard space is available to entertain or relax. The median home price in Oakbrook is $550,000, compared to the adjacent neighborhood Central Lakes' median home price of $470,000. While Oakbrook requires a bigger budget, it offers more extensive square footage while maintaining a similar proximity to amenities as Central Lakes. <br><br>Schools in the area include Custer Elementary School, which is known for its active library program. At the library, students can read from an international book selection, get reading and homework help and even volunteer in the library. At Lochburn Middle School, there is a robust athletics program. Students can participate in soccer, cross country, fastpitch and tackle football. Nearby, Steilacoom High School scores far above average on test scores and college readiness, according to Great Schools. The school partners with Pierce County Skills Center to provide a robust portfolio of graduation pathways, which include culinary arts, video game development and aerospace engineering. <br><br>After the final bell, head to Fort Steilacoom Park. This area favorite has acres of athletic fields, grassy knolls and trails that meander to Waughop Lake. Kids will enjoy the playground, and pets will love the massive off-leash dog park. Hiking lovers will enjoy visiting the South Puget Sound Wildlife Area. The nature preserve encompasses over 100 acres of meadows, gardens and mossy woodland. There are paved walking and bike trails and a fish hatchery open to the public on weekdays. It's the best place for a secluded bike ride or picnic amongst a field of flowers. <br><br>There's a wide variety of indoor and outdoor entertainment available here. Test your skills at the 18-hole or 9-hole course at Fort Steilacoom Disc Golf Course or spend the morning fishing or kayaking at Steilacoom Lake. When you want to shop, visit Lakewood Town Center. This extensive shopping center has a theater, a wide variety of retailers and fast-casual eateries. <br><br>Along Steilacoom Boulevard, you'll find grocery stores, pharmacies and locally owned and loved restaurants. Have Taco Tuesdays at Sugar Bones Tacos, an authentic Mexican eatery with a homey, Día de Los Muertos-inspired interior decorated with painted skulls and ofrendas. Or have karaoke nights with friends at Oaktree Food & Drink Company. This neighborhood tavern is known for its packed karaoke nights, homestyle burgers and massive breakfasts platters. <br><br>Offering beautifully secluded homes and a wealth of indoor and outdoor amenities, Oakbrook is the place to be.

This outer Seattle area offers relaxed living and a culture-rich commercial corridor. Northeast Lakewood is a South Sound suburb, fringing artsy Tacoma. Named for its natural scenery, a Lakewood address means outdoor activities are a way of life. The Puget Sound shores are as close as the region's major intersections, providing residents with the best of both worlds. <br><br>Northeast Lakewood's residential landscape is shaped mainly by modest ramblers and manufactured homes. And this isn't an HOA community. Homeowners can freely store campers and water toys beside their spacious lawns. Buyers can expect to pay $150,000 for a small spot and up to $450,000 for a move-in-ready four-bedroom. The market is very competitive here, with most properties finding new owners within a week and a half. "There's a lot of opportunity on this side of town, which attracts more buyers" says Becky Sommers, Broker at Kelly Right Real Estate. <br><br>Kids growing up in Northeast Lakewood can attend Four Heroes Elementary and Lochburn Middle before earning their diplomas from Clover Park High. Each neighborhood school currently provides complimentary breakfast and lunch to all students and is conveniently within a 5-minute drive. Buyers exploring the area will also find several top-rated private schools nearby as an alternative education option.<br><br>Wards Lake Park is the closest local stop to get some fresh air. Walking trails circle the woodsy namesake water body, routing visitors to a small play area and fishing pier. Wapato Park is also nearby, one of the largest in the region. The spacious setup is known for scenic sunsets and bridges that let visitors course through the treetops and over lush wetlands. There's a designated area for your furry friends to run leash-free. The Tacoma Twin Rinks is also in town, where locals gear up for hockey practice. <br><br>Multicultural cuisine colors the Northeast Lakewood community. Locally known as Koreatown, you'll notice signs in the native alphabet, Hangul, patterning the district's main commercial strip, advertising all-you-can-eat barbeque and markets filled to the brim with imported goods. From Bibimbap to Bulgogi, Ho Soon Yi covers the complete canon of Korean cuisine in its casual spot off the main drag. Coffee Kitchen will take your regular morning order up a notch with over-the-top dessert waffles and a variety of bingsoo flavors, a Korean shaved ice dish. The area is also known as Lakewood's International District, with culinary representation from several other cultures. Mazatlán is a long-time community favorite, serving Mexican staples in nostalgically retro digs.<br><br> When you're not shopping at the international markets, Lakewood Towne Center's big box stores, like Target, Safeway and Lowe's Home Improvement, are less than 5 miles away. Tacoma's commercial areas and businesses are a 10-mile ride for buyers commuting to work. Military bases are another primary economic influence here. Northeast Lakewood is roughly an hour outside Downtown Seattle's corporations, and locals have immediate interstate access for a straightforward ride into town. Alternatively, you can hop on a bus or train, which roughly doubles your transit time but eliminates the potential parking and traffic hassle. Seattle buyers seeking convenience and culture may find a fit in Northeast Lakewood.

The Pacific Lakeview neighborhood of Lakewood provides spectacular views of Mount Rainier and a serene natural setting. The community offers residents budget-friendly housing within proximity to lush parkland and pristine lakes. "Many of the people who live here work at the Joint Base Lewis-McChord military base," says Jason Kjellesvik, associate managing broker/Realtor for Compass, who used to live in the area and has over 30 years of experience. Most homes are small two- to three-bedroom bungalows or ranch-style homes, ranging from $396,000 to $444,000. The lots are small, less than 1/4 acre, with room enough for a barbecue grill or small garden. Tree-lined streets are wide, and there are no sidewalks. Students attend Tyee Park Elementary Schools and Lochburn Middle School, both of which have a C rating on Niche. Clover Park High School offers an International Baccalaureate Program and has a B-minus from Niche. Residents in the Pacific-Lakeview neighborhood have easy access to parks, lakes and local attractions. The 500-year-old Thornewood Castle, with its unique history, is situated on the shores of American Lake. The Tudor-Gothic-style mansion was dismantled in 1907 in England and reconstructed in Lakewood. Thornewood also has ties to Hollywood, as It served as the setting for the films "Rose Red," "The Diary of Ellen Rimbauer" and the Oscar-winning "There Will Be Blood." Currently, "the castle," as it's referred to by locals, is used as a site for events and overnight stays. As for outdoor recreation, locals like to go to the recently renovated Springbrook Park, which includes a playground, baseball field, two half-court basketball courts, and two picnic shelters available for rent. The park is also home to the Springbrook community gardens. The improvements were part of the city's nearly $1 million investment to expand and redevelop the park. Not from the military base is American Lake, the largest natural lake in Pierce County. The setting is known for its amazing Mt. Rainier views, excellent fishing, and a variety of water sports and activities. Only a six-minute drive is the Lakewood Towne Center, which has many shopping and dining options. "Here, there are mostly chain stores and restaurants," Kjellesvik says. Barnes and Noble, Old Navy and Marshalls are only a few of the mall's offerings. Locals can go to Safeway, also a six-minute drive from home, for grocery shopping. The Lakewood Bar and Grill in Tacoma serves appetizers, salads, sandwiches and burgers. Kjellesvik recommends The Adriatic at Oakbrook for fine dining and special occasions with its fresh-to-order Italian food. The Lakewood Towne Center also has plenty of chain dining options like Chipotle, Applebee's and Five Guys. Pacific-Lakeview is located between Interstate 5 and Pacific Hwy SW. There is no public transportation, so residents are car-dependent. The Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (Sea-Tac) is a 31-mile drive from home. For big-town living with small-town vibes, Pacific-Lakeview might be a place to call home.

Once known as the playground for Seattle elites, Lakewood and South Lakes provides its residents with 16 parks, five lakes and stunning views in the Pacific Northwest.<br> <br>“The area is known for all outdoor activities,” says Jim Pullin, the managing broker with Skyline Properties. “From one of the many parks or a day out on one of the five lakes, there is some activity for everybody.” <br><br>Tight-winding neighborhood streets are lined with tall old-growth firs, while some properties offer stunning views of either American or Gravelly Lake. For the most part, buyers can find ranch-style and craftsman-style properties, but on the lakefront or near the Tacoma Country Club, you can find larger estate homes and some Tudor Revival properties. Prices start around $300,000 for a three-bedroom, two-bathroom house and can rise to about $500,000 for a similar-sized property. For buyers looking to get in around the country club prices quickly jump into the millions. “Listings currently last slightly more than a month,” Pullin says. <br><br>Children attend the Clover Park School District, which scores a B- on Niche and serves the Lakewood and Joint Base Lewis McChord communities. With multiple school paths, one possible path is Tyree Park Elementary, Lochburn Middle and Clover Park High School. No matter the path, each child heads to Clover Park, established in 1938 due to the expansion of the nearby Fort Lewis. Thanks to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation gift, the school offers multiple small-group learning options.<br><br>Spanning 17 acres on American Lake, Harry Todd Park has plenty to help you enjoy your outdoor surroundings. The park features multiple fields, a basketball court, and a picnic shelter, but it also features a recently renovated beach, fishing pier, and boat docks. On a larger scale, Fort Steilacoom Park is just five miles away, stretches 340 acres, and serves more than a million people annually. With multiple trail systems, sports fields, and drone flying areas, there is almost something for everyone outside. Residents can join the Tacoma Country & Golf Club. Opened in 1894, the club is the first golf course not on a military base in the West. But the golf doesn’t stop there, as Lakewood also boasts the Oakbrook and American Lake Veterans Golf Courses and is just a short drive away from the famous Chambers Bay, which hosted the 2015 PGA Tour major, U.S. Open.<br> <br>South Lakes has two unique venues that unite locals and tourists. For a small fee, visitors can venture to the historic Lakewold Gardens, which takes you back to the city's development and features multiple gardens and spaces available for private events. Thornewood Castle is a Tudor Gothic home built over 500 years ago in Europe, shipped to the Pacific Northwest, and rebuilt on the shore of American Lake a century ago. Today, it is a hotel and a venue space that allows couples to get married at a real castle. <br><br>Stock up on weekly groceries at numerous small markets throughout the community, including J’s Market. You can also quickly ride to Lakewood Towne Center, which has the chain grocer Safeway. After all that retail therapy, grab a bite from Moon Rise Café, a family-owned restaurant open for breakfast, brunch and lunch, or try some authentic Mexican fare from El Toro Mexican Resturant and Cantina. <br><br>Find your next home in South Lakes, but then get outside to enjoy the beautiful surroundings.