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…
Commencement Bank Opens Gig Harbor Location
After operating out of a temporary space during the new branch’s construction, Commencement Bank recently opened in their permanent location on Pioneer Way in downtown Gig Harbor in August this year. This branch isn’t like a lot of other banks, however. “Our philosophy since we formed in 2006 is to engage with the communities we…
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…
City of Lakewood’s MLK Celebration
Martin Luther King Day will be celebrated in Lakewood on Saturday, January 11th with a Beloved Community Welcome Walk. Kicked off by a Keynote Speech from Dr. John Scott at 11 am, the day’s activities at Fort Steilacoom Park will include a 1 mile walk on the paved loop, food trucks, a DJ with dancing…
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…
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…
Creating a Generous Spirit of Helping
Nearly 1 in 6 households in Pierce County experience food insecurity. Through the assistance of Food Lifeline and World Vision, Life Center is working to make a difference in local people’s lives by providing much-needed food support. According to Carrie Kay, Central Campus LC CARES Global Team Lead & Food Bank Manager for three years,…
The Power of Play
The work of the Children’s Museum of Tacoma evolved and grew over the last decade. As a nationally-recognized education and advocacy organization that became more than a museum, they changed their name to Greentrike in fall 2019 to reflect that growth. Greentrike is a nonprofit that advocates for and models equitable access to playful experiences…
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…
Local Food Favorites
Pierce County is home to some of the best places to dine and enjoy a meal with loved ones. Below is a list of some of our favorite establishments that you should try now that you call Pierce County home. Crockett’s Public House Puyallup & Bonney Lake Voted as a reader favorite for People’s Choice,…
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…
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…
Changing Lives One Smile at a Time
Braces are a rite of passage that preteens and adolescents have endured for decades. Many of us have vivid memories of painful extractions, wires poking our inner cheeks and headgear worn in unflattering photos. Those traumas are a thing of the past for patients at Molen Orthodontics. The family business has created confident smiles in…
Mynx Aesthetik | Optimal Care for Skin & Wellness
Mary Stinson’s commitment to educating and caring for her customers’ well-being goes far beyond skin deep. Mynx Aesthetik, her skin and wellness business, attracts top-notch professionals who take time to know you. They want to understand your goals and concerns. “Education is key to success along the skincare journey,” says Stinson. Together a plan will…
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…