Life in the South Sound
Being from the “Harbor”, life has always felt like a small town. You walk around downtown and are always likely to run into someone you know. People are friendly, restaurants are busy, and life seems to move just a little bit slower. Some may ask of the appeal of living in the south sound. It's not city life, like being in Seattle. You don't see a ton of land or farms like you would towards Eastern Washington. But you do get the sound, water views almost every direction you look, and unlike the places I listed about, there is nowhere really like it.
If you have never been to the PNW, or more specifically, the south sound like Gig Harbor or even Tacoma, you may not realize what you are missing. 27 years later, I have only ever lived in the Gig Harbor area (minus a few years spent in college) and it's a place that makes it hard to leave.
When you do decide to visit the south sound, I would recommend starting with a trip to downtown Gig Harbor. You can access the Trolly if staying nearby, or simply drive down and park by Jerisich Park. Starting with drinks at Heritage Distillery, grabbing a seat by the window so you can enjoy the breeze and views while trying some of their amazing mix drinks. After that, I would immediately head down to the Tides Tavern for dinner. If it's summer season I would grab a seat out on the deck, with views of incoming boats and partial sun, this is one of the best spots in the harbor. Whether you get the fish and chips, pizza, or an amazing burger, this 21 and up spot is one of my favorite places to enjoy. After you are done eating, take some time to check out the local shops along the waterfront, and if you’re lucky there might be some live music playing. For a night cap, check out the new 7 Seas Brewery located right down the street from the Tides.
There is so much offered in such a “small town” community, and I feel blessed to live in such a beautiful place. If you are looking at coming to the south sound but looking to stay on the Tacoma side of the bridge, I highly recommend staying in Point Ruston. Very similar to Gig Harbor, there are shops, restaurants, and even a movie theater for a perfect family night out. It has spectacular views, and is located right down the street from the Point Defiance zoo. The last stop I would make when visiting the south sound is a trip to University Place to check out Chambers Bay. Once host to the PGA tour, this amazing golf course is so much fun for the day. It has beach access, lots of trails and playgrounds for families, and is the perfect spot to bring lunch on a sunny day.
Life in the south sound is small, but large all at the same time. If you have been around for years, are new to the area, or considering a move…. Do it. You won’t regret it.
