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…
Boys & Girls Club Gives Back
According to the National Center for Education Statistics, a study was done in 2019 that compared youth who participated in activities outside of the classroom versus children who didn’t. The study found that “the percentages of students who attended an event sponsored by a community, religious, or ethnic group with their parents in the past…
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…
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…
Olympic Landscape – Heart for Community
Olympic Landscape has been designing, building and servicing outdoor residential and commercial spaces in the South Sound for more than 40 years. As an expert landscape contractor, the company creates beautiful outdoor living spaces, unique gathering spaces, and specially-themed gardens for homes and businesses. The owner and CEO, Joe Areyano, plans to continue that legacy.…
Find Quality & Confidence When Replacing Your Home’s Windows
Replacing windows in your home is a significant investment. Windows open you to the beauty of your surroundings. Additionally, they are foundations for energy efficiency, safety, security, and durability. Renewal by Andersen, locally owned and operated, accompanies homeowners on their window journeys from beginning to end – from idea conception to the final installation. Is…
Skate: Rinks, Derbies & Disco in Washington Skate History
Lace up your skates and explore the history of roller skating in a fascinating special exhibition at the Washington State History Museum in Tacoma. SKATE: Rinks, Derbies & Disco in Washington Skate History explores how skate culture and trends have reflected social and political movements, providing entertainment and community in Washington for over 100 years.…
FORMOSA: A Fusion of Tasty Foods
Have you been craving a delicious but different dining experience? Whether you are looking for breakfast, lunch or dinner, we want to introduce you to a new restaurant that is sure to astonish your taste buds in the most satisfying way. On September 30, 2022, Formosa opened their doors in Gig Harbor’s Uptown outdoor shopping…
Fresh Shopping at Local Farmers Markets
Getting fresh groceries, supporting local farmers, and spending time outside is a win-win-win. Here’s where to do it. There are many things to celebrate about spring coming back: Not having to wear eight layers every time you leave the house, being able to exercise outside again, flowers blooming, and, last but not least, the return…
Pediatrics Northwest: Here Comes Allergy Season!
The Pacific Northwest is such a terrific place to live. Each season has its benefits, but I am always excited to get out of the dark, cold days of winter and into the warm months. Springtime also brings allergy season. In the early spring, we get tree pollen, starting out with the alders that typically…
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…