SperlingViews - Gig_Harbor, Washington

Gig Harbor is the only decent area in Pierce County but that's not saying much because it's still W. WA. I lived there 38 years. You see the sun 2, maybe 3 months of the year. I am not kidding. Here and there the sun breaks through in the Spring and rare Fall/Winter. Seattle has the highest heroin use and suicide rate in the country. Seven out of the ten cloudiest cities in the nation are in W. WA. Look up the stats. If you like a thick dark gray cloud deck most of the year, you'll love it there. I lived in Gig Harbor for 4 years. Raised on the Eastside in Woodinville/husband in Bothell. We left in '05 and have never looked back other than having to deal when we fly up to visit. We decided after arriving back to the sunshine this last Christmas visit, we will only fly up June-Aug from now on. You are 50/50 for the 4th on enjoying fireworks so even summertime you still can get rain and clouds. Oh and no AC. You try to enjoy the sun when it's there but you cant because you are sweltering in your home until sunset around 9:30 when you can finally open up your house to put the fans inside the windows to air it out. Speaking of that, very long summer days and the winter solstice is 4:20 in the afternoon. Ugly very yellow grass on the freeways in summer. Gray mold over everything the rest of the year, looks very dirty. Cant see the beautiful mts most of the time so the beauty is short lived. Parents cant wait to retire in 3 years. I have to use my mom's sunlamp when I visit. Standard of living is low due to high housing cost versus income even though the income is higher than national average. Very poor quality construction unless you can afford to build custom. We are green year round and we actually have real flooring, doors, and siding. We have 2200 sq. ft versus 1500 there, half acre with pool versus 1/3 acre there and paid much less, live better. I could go on and on but hubby just came home from work. Gonna enjoy our almost daily T'storm to keep it green. I'm hearing the thunder now. After it passes in an hour or two gonna go swimming. Enjoy the darkness and cold rain. Not trying to sound smart but it just blows me away when people say how wonderful it is up there. Long overdue for Rainer to blow and seismologists are expecting a major earthquake as well. No thanks. People either love it or hate it there. If at all possible live there a full year before deciding so you don't waste money.[read more...]

Great community, [read more...]

I have lived here for 3 years and have found the community to a great place to live. There are many new amenities such as a new Costco, YMCA, Target,Hospital and Medical Center. We have a the new Uptown Shopping Center which has Galaxy Theaters, Coldwater Creek, Ann Taylor Loft, Chico's, Justice for Girls, Panera, and Fondi Restaurants. There are also other smaller restaurants, coffee shops, and speciality stores. A new Boys and Girls Club with a Senior Center is set to open this fall. The downtown historic district has turn-of-the century homes, a museum, shops, parks and waterfront restaurants. It is a great place to take a walk or meet with friends. The schools are well supported by the community with Booster Clubs for sports and a scholarship fundraiser each fall called Winterfest. We have an extension of the Tacoma Community College that provides a place for high school students to participate in the State's Running Start program, as well as many continuing education and community recreation programs. There are numerous festivals in the summer including the Maritime Festival and Blessing of the Fleet as well as many Art and Music Festivals and a Farmers Market. If you are looking for a real community feel with a small town atmosphere, yet close to all the services of a large city, this is the place for you.[read more...]

Gig Harbor is a scenic community situated in the Puget Sound region of Washington state. With backdrops of Mt. Rainier, the Olympic Mountains and the Cascade Mountains, tall evergreen trees, plus an abundance of charming bays and waterways, there are many "postcard" images to be seen, as well as recreatinal opportunities. What I love about Gig Harbor is the small town feel. People are very friendly here and smile and make eye contact when you are walking down the street. It is a place where I feel safe walking my dog along the lighted waterfront in the dark. People take pride in this community and it is evident in the property values. We have great schools here, as well as many recreational opportunities for families and singles alike. There is a thriving arts & theater community and our annual art festival is always well attended. There are a number of restaurants to choose from, but for even more variety, the city of Tacoma is only a 15 minute drive, and Seattel is about 45 minutes. Gig Harbor is growing and our elected officials strive to manage the growth and retain the small town charm that draw so many people here. It has been our policy to avoid "big box" stores and opt for architectural design that is more aesthetically pleasing and blended with nature. There is a lot going on here, from a new hospital scheduled to be finished in 2009, to a new boys and girls club and huge recreational facility. We have a high number of parks per capita and it is evident that our community values these parks as we acquire even more land for parks. I have lived in several different cities, including overseas in Australia, but I am content to call Gig Harbor home. It is a special place that I think is a treasure.[read more...]

Is this rainfall data correct? 56 inches per year? I was told it was 37 by a real estate agent. We live in CA, so have no idea. Thanks.[read more...]

We moved to Gig Harbor from New Mexico, to retire. It is delightful here by the water. There are gorgeous state parks, some on the nearby rural and lovely Key Peninsula. Gig Harbor has a somewhat wealthy population, so finding low cost housing may be a bit difficult, but worth the search. Gig Harbor is close to city amenities in Tacoma, and Seattle, and is on the Kitsap Peninsula which has many charming features. We love it here, but of course people have different things they are looking for.[read more...]

looking for affordable safe culturally oriented areas To me Washington State is absolutely great state, and I love the climate however at present I work and live in Dubai, UAE - way to expensive here and entirely tooooooo HOT. traffic is horrible - takes you for ever to get anywhere, to me not worth it to live here frustration levels are not compensated by your income... Would like to look into Mexico and Central America for living also.[read more...]

Once the hub for the South Puget Sound fishing fleet, Gig Harbor is now the home of numerous marinas and pleasure craft. Navigatable and sailable areas have been encrached upon by piers that scretch out into the inner harbor. The harbor has become over crowded and the shoreline which used to be dotted with quaint cabins is now lined with multi-million dollar homes, somewhat spoiling the mystic qualities of this peaceful harbor.[read more...]

We have lived in Gig Harbor WA for 3 years now, and the lack of state universities in the Tacoma area makes for a very uncultured and uneducated population. The people here are rude and all dress in gray or brown. We lived in Raleigh NC before this and the caliber of people was much better. I can't wait to move away from here.[read more...]