$689,143Average Value$110Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
A quiet atmosphere near the Puget Sound in Lakebay
Quietness, still waters, neighbors you can count on. Welcome to Lakebay. “You’re far enough away from the big city where the big city doesn’t influence you. You’re close enough that if you need services, you can get to them,” says Dave Walker, a Realtor with eXp Realty who has been selling around here and developing plats of land for nearly three decades. “Just the clarity of the water in Puget Sound is pretty amazing.” From Lakebay’s shores, you watch the water flow gently into the bay as it has for generations. At one time waterways were the most efficient way to move timber in and out of here.
The coastline of Lakebay in the morning sun.
A common sight to see while meandering the park.
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A diverse housing market and water access
Today, narrow roadways slope downward toward the water’s edge and up back up to flatter land lined with Cape Cods, modern farmhouses, some contemporaries and even transitional housing shrouded by towering trees.
Whether you’re value shopping or have greater spending flexibility, Lakebay offers pricing options. “What they can get for $600,000 in town, they can get out here for $350,000. There’s probably a 30 percent difference,” Walker shares. The median home price in Lakebay is $400,000. But with homes available from as low as $200,000 to as high as $1 million or more, homebuyers have a wide range of prices to select from. Walker explains, “There are quite a few entry-level homes in the middle $300,000s and up. You’ll find houses on the waterfront for $1 million.”
Cabins in the trees are also common in the Lakebay area.
A relaxing beach bungalow and cottage along Lorenz RD NW.
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B-plus rated public schools
Peninsula School District, which Niche rates A-minus, serves Lakebay. Students attend Evergreen Elementary School, Key Peninsula Middle School and Peninsula High School, all of which Niche rates B-plus. Niche ranks the high school among the best in Washington. Beyond the school’s academic mission, compassionate Peninsula High students collected 1,000 teddy bears to send to children in war-torn Ukraine.
Evergreen Elementary School provides a great foundation for an kid's education.
Many kids flourish at Key Peninsula Middle School.
Peninsula High School welcomes students, faculty, and staff.
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Waterside recreation in Lakebay
Meanwhile at home, it’s all about the great outdoors and folks spending recreational time at Penrose Point State Park on Mayo Cove. Named for Stephen Penrose, president of Whitman College at the turn of the 20th century, the park features more than 2 miles of saltwater shoreline plus 2.5 miles of hiking, biking and nature trails. Parkgoers can swim, boat, scuba dive, fish, water ski, birdwatch and more. “The park is the big draw. And the Puget Sound is a boating mecca,” Walker says.
Locals and people from afar enjoy the Penrose Point State Park.
Kayaking is a local favorite and can be seen all over the coastline.
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Shops and restaurants in Gig Harbor
As nice as having a boat is, it’s a car that you’ll need to grab food, and you’ll need to plan because nothing is close. Expect to spend time on the highway driving north into the next closest town for a sit-down meal at a place like 2 Margaritas, one of a handful of eateries and pubs. More likely, you’ll head 30 minutes away to Gig Harbor for a wider variety of menu options.
You’ll probably need to pack a lunch if any kind of serious shopping is in your sights. Gig Harbor, about 30 minutes away, is your closest option for grocery and retail options at places like Fred Meyer and Metropolitan Market. It’s also a good idea to make a list of what you’ve come for because there’s no such thing as heading back out for what you forgot to get. “Once you get home, it’s not like you’re going to say I forgot something and just find it up the road,” Walker admonishes.
Many locals enjoy an afternoon lunch at 2 Margaritas.
Make sure you stop by the Starbucks inside Fred Meyers for a good pick me up.
Enjoy shopping with friends at Gig Harbor.
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Bluegrass music and Key Peninsula celebrations
That distance from so much of the mainstream makes it unlikely that Lakebay would host many major events or festivals. To be sure, Bluegrass music is popular out this way, and you’ll catch musical acts stopping by. More likely events include Key Peninsula celebrations like the Fourth of July Parade. For most of your bigger events, once more, plan to spend road time traveling to Gig Harbor.
Travel along the Key Peninsula Highway
Key Peninsula Highway is the primary and practically singular way into and out of town. So, prepare to become very familiar with the road as you’re navigating your trips to festivals and the like, especially as there’s no real mass transit system to speak of around here. If driving’s not your favorite activity, staying in will have to do. And for folks here, that’s just fine.
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
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kelly Shipley,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Hales Pass Park
Baseball/Softball
Picnic Area
Tennis
Volunteer Park
Penrose Point State Park
Joemma Beach State Park
Tacoma DeMolay Sandspit Nature Preserve
Picnic Area
Trails
Beach
Home Park
Transit
Airport
Seattle-Tacoma International
84 min drive
Lakebay Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Lakebay, Longbranch sell after 326 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Lakebay, Longbranch over the last 12 months is $270,000, down 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Turn-key 4BR/3BA custom home with a 3 bdrm ADU Rambler on a fully equipped hobby farm! Enjoy 3,000 sq ft of updated living space w/AC, jetted tub, office, digital climate controls & ceiling fans in all BRs. Outdoors: 7.35 Acres, 3 fenced pastures, horse round pen, ATV trails, chicken coop, duck enclosure w/plumbed pool, 200 sq ft shed, RV hookup, EV-ready garage & generator plug-in. Relax w/water
Very private 15 acres with Olympic Mountain, Bay, Sound, Territorial views from various locations. Access from Cornwall. Multiple building sites to select. Close to the old Lakebay Marina and Penrose State Park.
Your new sanctuary awaits! This beautiful 4.8 acres sits back behind the road for added privacy. Property filled with mature trees and vegetation. Build your home and have plenty of privacy with your own stream in your backyard. Power at road. Minutes from LakeBay and Penrose Point State Park. Buyer to verify.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Kelly Shipley,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
671
Median Age
56
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
16.5%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
35.8%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$130,188
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$121,801
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
95.5%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
38.8%
Advanced Degrees
19.7%
% Population in Labor Force
48.4%
Below the national average
65.1%
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®
22/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
3/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
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.
