$621,215Average Value$344Average Price per Sq Ft51Homes For Sale
Lakewood's western residential side
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."
The lakes of Lakewood
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.
Boatowners can enjoy the lake when they please from Central Lakes, WA.
Residents can enjoy beautiful lakeside views in Central Lakes, WA.
Take the bridge connecting the Central Lakes, WA, neighborhood.
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Neighborly homes and luxury waterside properties
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.
There are many styles of homes in Central Lakes, WA.
Many newer homes come with double garages in Central Lakes, WA.
A stately lakefront nestled in Central Lakes, WA.
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Community events at Fort Steilacoom
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 high schoolers in the community attend Lakes High School located in Central Lakes.
Walkable schools and high school athletics
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.
Commuting to Seattle
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.
A row of well-known retailers can be found in Central Lakes, WA.
Local pub and proximity to big brands
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.
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.
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On average, homes in Central Lakes, Lakewood sell after 33 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Central Lakes, Lakewood over the last 12 months is $540,000, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
It's easy to feel at home in this newly refreshed one story rambler near the Lake City neighborhood in Lakewood. Turnkey and offering a well-planned layout, this home boasts a primary suite, 2 additional bedrooms, a sizable back yard and a welcoming covered patio area that you and your loved ones can enjoy year round. Nothing left for you to do but move in and live the good life. Located in a
Unlock the charm in this cozy rambler retreat-just minutes from Lake Steilacoom! The open-concept layout includes a cozy living room, a dedicated dining area & adjacent eat-in kitchen space; creating a seamless flow. Includes a game room & additional family room, providing ample space for play, relaxation, or movie nights. Step outside to a fully fenced backyard featuring a covered patio—&
Such a great location, close to Lake Steilacoom! Charming Fixer-Upper, endless potential on a beautiful, large corner lot. Affordable 3-bed, 2-bath offers a canvas for creativity and vision. Real hardwood floors exude warmth and character providing a vintage design space, large windows invite an abundance of natural light, creating a bright and inviting atmosphere in every room, an expansive
Welcome to your move in ready home~ 3 bedrooms and a full bath located on an oversized fully fenced lot with mature landscaping and patio~~ Open concept living~Newer flooring~New hot water heater~Newer refrigerator~ Kitchen over looks the backyard and steps to the patio perfect for out door grilling,you will love the large pantry great for all your kitchen extras~ All appliances are
Attention Developers and Investors: Prime 1.12-acre development opportunity on a main arterial with R4 zoning—potential for up to 17 units! Ideal for investors and builders, this level, wooded parcel offers dual access from both Washington Blvd and Moreland, maximizing design flexibility and access. Existing structures include 2 homes, carports, and a large shop—perfect for staging, planning,
These spacious town homes are located in the quiet community of Lawndale, close to the North Gate Road near Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Perfect location for Military personal. Also located near freeways and many other forms of transportation. This 2 bedroom 2.5 bath unit has 1,205Square Feet.Rent: $1,800.00 per monthSewer: $45.00 per monthGarbage: $50.00 per monthDeposit: $800,
Rent this beautifully renovated 4-bedroom, 1.75-bath home offering modern comfort and timeless charm! Nearly everything is new—electrical, plumbing, roof, water heater, plus energy-efficient windows and doors. The open-concept living area features stylish LVP flooring and a cozy gas fireplace. The spacious primary bedroom includes plush new carpet for extra comfort. Enjoy a large, fully fenced
Discover your new home at Hunters Glen Apartments! Hunters Glen offers its residents many great features and amenities including beautifully landscaped grounds, free assigned covered parking, and in-unit washer and dryer. All of our one and two bedroom apartment homes feature a patio or balcony, wood burning fireplace, microwave, dishwasher, garbage disposal, double sided sink, easy clean oven
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