For a long time, one version of the American dream was the planned neighborhood: attractive homes, tidy streets, community amenities, and an HOA making sure everything stayed that way.

For plenty of homeowners, that still works very well. But I’m hearing something different from some buyers lately, especially people who have already done the subdivision or gated-community lifestyle—they’re ready for a little breathing room.

They want a yard where the kids can play without worrying that they’re bothering the neighbors. They’d like to have friends over around the pool without feeling as though everyone on the street can hear them. Maybe they want a boat, an RV, a garden, a workshop, a dog that likes to run, or simply enough distance between houses that they don’t feel like they’re living on top of one another. (Or chickens, anyone?)

And some are simply tired of paying an HOA to tell them what they can and can’t do with their own property.

There’s some evidence behind what I’m seeing. In the National Association of REALTORS®’ 2025 research, 17% of all buyers said the availability of larger lots or acreage influenced their choice of neighborhood. Among buyers ages 35–44, that jumped to 24%, and it was 21% among buyers ages 45–59.

A 2026 Pew Research Center survey found something even more striking: A majority of Americans prefer communities where homes are larger and farther apart rather than smaller and closer together. Among people already living in suburban communities, 55% preferred the more spread-out option; among rural residents, that rose to 70%.

At the same time, HOAs are becoming harder to avoid. Realtor.com reported that 43.6% of homes listed for sale in 2025 had an HOA fee, up from 34.3% in 2019. Even among single-family homes, about one-third of listings had an HOA.

That doesn’t make HOAs bad. They can provide valuable amenities, maintain common areas, and help protect neighborhood standards. But they aren’t for everybody.

The Sweet Spot: Country Living Without Being Too Far Out

The challenge around Gig Harbor is finding that sense of space and independence without giving up the convenience that makes Gig Harbor such a great place to live. That’s one reason I think the home I’m currently representing at $1,575,000 deserves another look.

It sits on a shy acre in a rural-feeling setting, yet it’s close in to Gig Harbor. There’s room to spread out, beautifully landscaped grounds, a private resort-style swimming pool and covered outdoor living area, and a home designed for both everyday living and entertaining.

There’s a public boat launch a block over from the end of the road, providing access to Wollochet Bay. If boating, kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, or simply being close to the water is part of the lifestyle you’re looking for, that adds to the appeal of this versatile property.

Inside, the home offers a vaulted great room, a large kitchen, a luxurious primary suite, and flexible spaces that can adapt as a family changes. The second bedroom features a full bath with hall access. There’s also finished living space over the garage with its own bath and kitchenette—ideal for guests, extended family, older kids, hobbies, or a getaway space. All hat flexibility is becoming increasingly relevant. NAR reports that 17% of homes purchased in its latest study were bought for multigenerational households, an all-time high.

To me, that’s really the appeal of this property; More space. More freedom. More ways to live well.

You can have the kids and grandkids over. You can entertain around the pool. You can keep the boat nearby and be on Wollochet Bay in minutes. You can enjoy some elbow room without moving miles away from town.

If you’ve been thinking that your next move might be out of the subdivision rather than into another one, this may be the kind of property worth seeing with fresh eyes.

MLS #2543131 | Offered at $1,575,000
Doug Lawrence, VAMRES, Managing Broker

Better Properties Gig Harbor
253-341-5287