Thinking about making Gig Harbor your new home? Located in the scenic beauty of Pierce County, this city is renowned for its waterfront living, community warmth, and outdoor adventures. In this guide, you’ll get all the essentials you need to know before moving to Gig Harbor, from housing options to local amenities and recreational activities. Whether you are looking for a friendly community to call home or a calming waterfront retreat to live in peace, this city has something for everyone.
Things To Know Before Moving To Gig Harbor
Location and Overview
Located in Pierce County, Washington, Gig Harbor is a charming city known for its scenic beauty and small-town atmosphere. Since it’s situated along Puget Sound, it offers stunning waterfront views and a relaxed coastal lifestyle, which makes it perfect for retirees. The city’s proximity to the water not only allows you to enjoy scenic landscapes but also makes the climate mild maritime. Whether you are someone who likes historic or modern developments, this city strikes a balance between preserving its rich naval heritage and embracing contemporary amenities.
Although it has a tranquil setting, you get easy access to all the nearby urban centers like Seattle and Tacoma. This allows you to enjoy the advantages of a peaceful coastal lifestyle while having all the metropolitan amenities, including cultural attractions, employment opportunities, and transportation hubs.
Cost of Living
Gig Harbor offers a relatively moderate cost of living compared to larger cities like Seattle, which makes it an ideal option for people searching for a peaceful and quality place. Here are some factors that contribute to the overall cost of living in Gig Harbor:
Housing Costs
Housing is the major component of the cost of living in Gig Harbor. Here you get various options, from waterfront properties to suburban homes and rural estates. Now the prices will vary based on the location, size, and other factors but you can get something in your budget. According to Realtor, the Median listing home price is $899.9K. The median listing home price/Sq ft is $389 and the Median sold home price is $842.5K.
Utilities and Services
Utilities such as electricity, water, heating, and internet services contribute to the cost of living. Every city has different utility prices and it can also vary based on usage, provider, and the size of the property.
Here are basic utilities costs as per Numbeo’s reports:
- Basic (Electricity, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 Apartment – 236.43 $
- Mobile Phone Monthly Plan with Calls and 10GB+ Data – 57.50 $
- Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) – 71.23 $
Transportation Costs
Since Gig Harbor is primarily a car-dependent community, you must consider the transportation costs before you make a move. These expenses can include fuel, vehicle maintenance, insurance, and occasional tolls if commuting to nearby cities like Tacoma or Seattle.
Here are basic transportation costs as per Numbeo’s reports:
- Gasoline (1 liter) – 1.21 $
- Monthly Pass (Regular Price) – 62.00 $
- Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) – 2.60 $
Groceries and Consumer Goods
Coming to groceries, the cost of basic items is generally in line with national averages. The good thing is you have easy access to various grocery stores, supermarkets, and specialty shops, so you can easily compare where you are getting the best value.
Here are basic groceries costs as per Numbeo’s reports:
- Milk (1l) – 1.10 $
- Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) – 4.15 $
- Rice (white), (1kg) – 4.71 $
- Eggs (regular) (12) – 3.81 $
Healthcare Expenses
Healthcare costs play a big role when choosing a place to stay and things like insurance premiums, copays, and out-of-pocket expenses, contribute to the overall cost of living. So it’s important to check these costs and see if they fit your budget.
Here are basic healthcare costs as per Payscale’s reports:
- Doctor’s Visit – $160.01
- Dentist Visit – $138.05
- Optometrist Visit – $150.72
- Veterinary Visit – $70.68
Housing Options
The good thing about Gig Harbor is that it offers a broad range of housing options to cater to various lifestyles and preferences. Whether you want suburban comfort, rural tranquility, or amazing waterfront luxury, this city has something to suit your needs.
- Suburban Neighborhoods – Suburban neighborhoods are ideal for families and people who want community amenities and proximity to urban conveniences. These areas typically offer well-maintained homes, neighborhood parks, schools, and shopping centers within a short drive.
- Rural Estates – If you need more privacy and space, then you can opt for rural estates as they provide expansive properties with acreage. In these properties, you can get expensive gardens, custom-built homes, and opportunities for farming activities. This type of place is perfect for people who want a peaceful retreat while still being within reach of city amenities.
- Waterfront Homes – Waterfront living is very popular in Gig Harbor. If you want to get private docks for boating, breathtaking views, and a scenic coastal ambiance, then you’d love the properties along the Puget Sound.
- Rental Market – If you don’t want to commit to homeownership right now, then you can opt for renting a property. You will get the same options but you don’t have to put in a huge upfront payment. Rental options include apartments, townhouses, and single-family homes, which ensures flexibility for various lifestyles and budgets.
Community Events and Lifestyle
Another good thing about Gig Harbor is that it hosts a variety of community events that bring residents together and celebrate local culture. Some of the events parades, festivals, art shows, and holiday celebrations, which include Summer Concert Series, and Maritime Gig Festival, and Harbor Hounds Dog Walk.
Apart from this, if you love history and arts, then Gig Harbor has a thriving arts and cultural scene. You will find many art galleries, theatres and studious. And if you want to a real-life experience, then Harbor History Museum and Gig Harbor Film Festival are perfect spots for you to visit.
What Makes Gig Harbor a Good Place to Live?
Amazing Outdoor Recreation
The location of this city makes it perfect to enjoy an active outdoor lifestyle. If you love boating, then the Gig Harbor waterfront will be a perfect spot for you. Here you can rent kayaks, paddleboards, or charter boats to explore Puget Sound’s scenic waterways. Along with this, the waterfront park offers a public boat launch, which makes it easier for you to access the harbor for sailing, fishing, or cruising.
You can also visit the Kopachuck State Park if you want to try hiking trails with varying difficulty levels. The park offers stunning views, so it will be worth your time. Another scenic park is Penrose Point State Park, which is known for its beach access and picnic areas. So if you have a family, you can have a great time here. Along with this, you can enjoy various activities such as fishing, golfing, biking, etc.
Diverse Shopping and Dining
If you want to explore the shopping scene, then you can visit Harborview Drive. This main thoroughfare is lined with boutiques, galleries, and specialty shops, so you can easily get a variety of goods, from clothing and accessories to home decor and gifts. For people who want to check out some unique souvenirs and local artisan crafts, the Harbor History Museum Gift Shop is the perfect place to shop.
Coming to dining, the Devoted Kiss Cafe is a good spot to try dishes made with organic and locally sourced ingredients. If you like seafood dishes with beers and a good scenic view, you can consider visiting Tides Tavern.
Quality Healthcare Services
You will get quality healthcare services in Gig Harbor. The St. Anthony Hospital is a leading healthcare provider, which is known to offer a range of medical services, specialties, and advanced care facilities. Along with this, the MultiCare Gig Harbor Medical Park is another popular healthcare provider, which houses primary care clinics, specialty practices, and outpatient services. You can also find many Local wellness centers and community organizations that may offer yoga classes, and mindfulness meditation sessions to support mental and emotional well-being.
Excellent Schools and Education
Gig Harbor also excels in providing excellent education. As part of the Peninsula School District, Peninsula High School is known for its academic excellence, extracurricular programs, and college preparatory curriculum. It allows students to participate in various academic competitions, clubs, and sports teams, which means your kids will get better at both academics and fitness.
Apart from this, the Gig Harbor STEM Academy focuses on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education, which ensures your kids will get hands-on learning experiences, STEM competitions, and robotics programs if they’re interested in STEM fields.
Moving to a different city is a big deal and requires proper planning and research. From arranging and packing your stuff to ensuring all of your belongings are being safely moved, moving can be tiring and hectic. However, you can hire a good moving company in Gig Harbor like PNW Moving to save yourself from all this hassle. Since they are professional movers, you won’t have to worry about your goods getting damaged, which will make your moving experience better.
