Letter from the Publisher
Welcome to the New Neighbors Guide!
On behalf of the local community, we welcome you to Kitsap County. Whether you’re here temporarily or to make this a permanent home, we know you’re going to love our region. With our natural beauty, lakes, streams and forested trails, this is the perfect location for outdoor fun. With some of the best coffee in the world and a vibrant food and entertainment scene, Kitsap County has something for everyone.
Let’s face it, moving to a new city can be costly and time consuming—but it’s also exciting! This guide is written by a mix of perspectives from native Kitsap Countians to people who moved here from out of the area. Our group reminisced about what we wished people had told us when we first moved here.
This resource guide offers tips and reminders to get you settled and to get the nuts and bolts of your new home well underway. This resource will also help you get connected to your local community, schools and health care; and help you put down roots in your daily life here. From great ideas for your home and events to engage in the community, we have you covered.
As we put together this issue, we look forward to providing you with information and education about all the “best things” in Kitsap County and we hope to give you a sense of place where you belong and feel connected. We welcome you, our “new neighbor” to Kitsap County.
Kindest regards,
Robin Lucas, Publisher
This Issue’s Content
Welcome to Kitsap County
You’re now a resident of scenic Kitsap County filled with amazing water views, fantastic outdoor recreation and vibrant history. But before you can enjoy all the County has to offer, you have some vital tasks to complete. Register to Vote Getting active and informed about your local and state government starts with registering to vote.…
Visit a Troll on Bainbridge Island
A troll is defined as an imaginary, either very large or very small, creature in traditional Scandinavian stories that has magical powers and lives in mountains or caves. Danish culture has a long history in the Puget Sound, so showcasing artwork depicting various trolls was a natural fit for several locations around the Pacific Northwest,…
Peninsula Credit Union Earns 5-Star “Superior” Rating From Bauer Financial
Peninsula Credit Union is proud to announce that it has received a 5-star rating from Bauer Financial, a premier independent bank and credit union rating firm. This recognition underscores our commitment to financial strength, member service, and community impact.The 5-star rating is Bauer Financial’s highest designation, reserved for financial institutions that are considered “Superior” in…
Two Fantastic Cities to Visit, One Great Chamber
According to David Emmons, President & CEO of the Greater Kitsap Chamber and Visitor Center, “A huge part of our mission here at the Chamber is to promote tourism.” With fun family events like Whale Days, the Great Kitsap Duck Race, and the Armed Forces Day Festival and Parade, Bremerton and Silverdale provide excellent reasons…
B & B Auto Repair: From One Family to the Next
For the past four decades, B & B Auto Repair has been providing service and repair to Olympic Peninsula customers. Founded by Brothers Nathan and Joel Baxter, giving back to the community they serve was a cornerstone of their business model. Now with retirement on the horizon for the brothers, they are passing the torch…
Family Fun at the Kids Discovery Museum
The Kids Discovery Museum on Bainbridge Island is Kitsap County’s premier children’s museum and serves over 35,000 visitors annually. KiDiMu has been dedicated to fulfilling the early developmental needs of the children in the community. The exhibits are designed to stimulate and challenge young minds, promoting learning, growth, and discovery in a fun and interactive…
Enrolling in School in Kitsap County
A move can be a traumatic event for our kids—a new school being one of the most daunting challenges for both them and for you as parents. There are 78 public schools in Kitsap County that serve over 34,000 students as well as 32 private schools that meet the needs of nearly 2,400 students.The biggest…
Peninsula Credit Union: Small Enough to Care, Big Enough to Help
Peninsula Credit Union (PCU) is one of the nation’s first community-chartered, member-owned credit unions. Formed in 1935 by employees of the Rainier Pulp and Paper Company in Shelton, Peninsula Credit Union now serves more than 20,000 members. With branches in Shelton, Belfair, Port Orchard, Poulsbo and Port Townsend, Peninsula Credit Union is different from other…
Giving Back in Kitsap County
Our communities thrive through the input and inspiration of those members in it. We grow, improve, and succeed by working together. As you begin to explore the Kitsap communities, take a moment to look around and discover what is important to you and your family. Then take that next step to make a difference in…
Making Your House a Home
Tips to transform a house into a home with decor and furniture from the heart Design tips provided by Sage Interiors in Tacoma Your entry is the initial introduction to your home and sets the stage for you and your guests. Place a cozy rug or floor mat inside the door to define the entry…
Getting Settled into a New Home
After the last box is moved into your new home, you might think the hardest part of moving is over. And you’re right, but there are still things to take care of before you can relax completely. Get Your Utilities Set Up You don’t want to arrive at your new place late at night and…
Tristate Roofing: We Got You Covered!
Tristate Roofing is more than just a roofing company. With five locations in the Puget Sound, having just added a new office on the Olympic Peninsula in Sequim, Tristate Roofing also offers windows, siding, gutters, doors and — just recently added — patio covers and decks, just in time for summer, to their inclusive array…
It Isn’t Raining…It’s Recharging
In the Pacific Northwest, and especially in Kitsap County, we are blessed with an abundance of water. “But that doesn’t mean it is unlimited,” said KPUD’s Water Resources Manager, Joel Purdy. As a hydrogeologist trained at University of Washington and Western Washington University, Purdy maintains the databases for Kitsap County with information on water supply,…
Sinclairs 22: A Hallmark Movie Plot
“When people visit Sinclairs 22 for the first time, I often tell them it is a combination of a business adventure and a Hallmark movie,” said owner Denise Kulak. Along with her life partner, David Trout, Kulak opened the Bay Street wine shop in Port Orchard in November 2022. According to Kulak, “David and I…
Local Kitsap County Chef Brings Brasil to You
A good cook is like an artist, mixing colors and mediums while experimenting to produce a beautiful picture. Sandra Rocha Evanoff was born in the Bahia region of northern Brazil. As a child, she was introduced to the kitchen while assisting her mother in the small bed and breakfast she operated. She learned about fresh…
Far Bank: Built Around a Passion for Fly Fishing
Living in the Pacific Northwest, outdoor activities surround us, especially with the abundance of water in Kitsap County. Whether your healthy obsession is camping, hiking, or biking or something else entirely, the great people from Far Bank want to encourage you to consider fly fishing. According to Tag Kleiner, Chief Marketing and Product Officer at…
Harbor Hill Dentistry and Airway Center: Whole Body Dentistry
At Harbor Hill Dentistry and Airway Center in Gig Harbor, their approach to dental care goes beyond traditional dentistry and embraces the philosophy of “Treating the Cause, Not the Symptom.” Led by Dr. Keith Gressell, a Temple University School of Dentistry graduate, this approach incorporates an overall health method he acquired while stationed in Europe…
Crunch Fitness: Gym’s Focus on Community Wellness
According to Haaken Larsen, General Manager of the Silverdale Crunch Fitness, “Community wellness is really all about creating community in a space where people feel comfortable in that space.” Larsen and his team embrace the “No Judgement” philosophy through positivity, inclusivity, and most importantly, fun. “We are fitness people making fitness fun. We don’t want…
Northwest Winter Safety Tips for Seniors
During the winter months, slippery sidewalks and cold weather can cause a wide range of injuries and illnesses, especially for seniors. The following tips will help prevent common cold-weather dangers faced by the elderly population. Avoid slipping on ice. Icy, snowy roads and sidewalks make it easy to slip and fall. These falls often cause…