Letter from the Publisher
Welcome to the New Neighbors Guide!
On behalf of the local community, we welcome you to Pierce County. Whether you’re here temporarily or for the long haul, 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, Pierce County has something for everyone.
Let’s face it, moving to a new city can be expensive and time-consuming—but it’s also exciting! This guide is written by a mix of perspectives from native Pierce Countians to people who moved here from out of the area. We created this guide with the things we wish we had known when we 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 guide 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 Pierce County and we hope to give you a sense of place where you belong and can engage and feel connected. We welcome you, our “new neighbor,” to Pierce County.
Kindest regards,
Robin Lucas, Publisher
This Issue’s Content
Welcome to Pierce County
You’re a new resident of beautiful Pierce County — congratulations! But now there are some important tasks to take care of. Updating personal information is essential in order to become a productive part of your community. Listed below are some of the critical assignments for new residency. Register to Vote Get involved in your local…
Tacoma Little Theatre Hosts Students on Stage
More than 105 years ago, an ambitious group of civic-minded community members founded the Tacoma Chapter of the Drama League of America, known today as the Tacoma Little Theatre. Even today, their goal to promote theater, the study of theatrical literature and culture as a means of community building, is alive and well. According to…
Life in Pierce County
Vibrant and diverse, Pierce County is made up of over 20 cities, including urban Tacoma, charming Gig Harbor and home of the Washington State Fair in Puyallup. The County is composed of historic structures and buildings, breathtaking waterfront views, lush rural land, quaint and welcoming suburbs, an ever-industrious energy, and is the neighbor to magnificent…
The Harbor History Museum
Nestled on the Gig Harbor waterfront where Donkey Creek meets the bay, the Harbor History Museum is celebrating its 14th year of operation. Yet the Museum’s campus has a much deeper history, first as a village site of the sx̌ʷəbabš , or Swift Water People, a band of the Puyallup Tribe. In the early 1900s…
Enrolling in School in Pierce County
Choosing the best academic environment for your child can seem daunting when you move to a new area. There are numerous traditional options to consider—your neighborhood public school, a charter school, or private school—in addition to currently popular options such as online programs and homeschooling. Pierce County is home to 16 public school districts and…
Explore Tacoma’s Parks
Metro Parks Tacoma is among the elite nationally-accredited park systems in the United States. From large regional events to world-class zoos, local parks and pools, historic facilities, sports and classes, there is something there for everyone. Find your favorite places to explore and escape. 2024 Special Events June 1-2 Point Defiance Flower & Garden Festival…
Giving Back in the 253
In any community, a sense of “community” is built on the connections made through unique groups of people that support one another. When I moved to Tacoma five years ago, I was wanting to know my neighbors, to feel that my community supported one another, and to find ways to give back. Quickly, I learned…
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…
Ranger Heating & Cooling
Ranger Heating & Cooling prides itself on their integrity. It just comes down to doing the right thing. According to Ranger’s President, David Kallander, “We approach every project as if it were our own house and we make sure the job is done right.” The heating and cooling industry is in Kallander’s blood as the…
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…
Farmers Markets in the South Sound
Farmers Markets provide access to fresh, local, sustainable food and food products. At most of our local markets, you will find not only fresh fruits and vegetables, but also fresh-cut flower bouquets, garden and landscaping plants, artisan breads, farm fresh eggs and meats, and handcrafted items for gift giving, plus many markets have regular entertainment…
Small Town Charm at Meeker Mercantile
Discover the small-town charm of Meeker Mercantile in Puyallup for all things unique and giftable. The new boutique opened this winter, offering a space for local creators and makers to showcase their goods, along with a variety of clothing, art, and home decor items from additional small business brands. Conceived by the dynamic duo of…
Boba Tea Bringing Joy to Their Community
Tammy Phan and her husband Timothy Yang grew up in the Tacoma area spending some of their first dates at boba tea locations. When the opportunity to open the franchise Bober Tea and Mochi Dough presented itself, they realized it was a wonderful combination of their desire to create joy with their love of boba…
Pediatrics Northwest’s New Allergy and Asthma Location Serving Tacoma
We are excited to announce that Pediatrics Northwest is serving patients at a location in Tacoma exclusively dedicated to allergy, asthma, and immunology care. The clinic is located in Building B on the Allenmore Hospital and Medical Center campus. This expansion comes as a direct response to the growing need for specialized allergy/immunology and asthma…
Relaxation & Results: Serenity Spas
For many years, spas and self-care treatments were seen as a luxury for the rich and famous. These days, however, they have become more mainstream and are increasingly viewed as a part of an overall healthcare regimen. According to Megan Douglas, owner of Serenity Spas, “Our services are a part of taking care of yourself,…
Service and Convenience at the Heart of Light Dental Studios
We can all agree on the qualities for the ideal dental provider: round-the-clock service, free consultations, same-day appointments, entire-family bookings, empathetic service and affordable care. It’s nearly impossible to find a full combination of such attributes. But then there’s Light Dental Studios. Based in Puyallup, the dentist-owned company—with 30 locations in the Puget Sound—has customer…
Warm-Weather Wellness Tips for Seniors
Warmer weather often awakens a desire to get outside and be active. But seniors who have a higher sensitivity to heat need to use caution when making plans in the sun. Put on Your Walking Shoes Walking is an excellent physical activity. And doing so in a park or forest is a great way to…