Tag Archives: boating

The Best Place in Washington to Retire

Welcome to the Best Place in Washington to Retire!

Gig Harbor is proud to enjoy the distinction of having been named first on a list of “Best Places to Retire in Washington,” according to a study released by financial technology company SmartAsset. Gig Harbor scored a whopping, state-high score of 87.60 on SmartAsset’s Best Place to Retire index, edging out Sequim (84.93) for the top spot. Not only that, SmartAsset’s recreation index also placed Gig Harbor at the top among Washington cities!I

What makes Gig Harbor such a great place to retire? The study cited, among other things, the benefits of Gig Harbor’s 12 percent tax rate, 11.5 doctor’s offices per 1,000 people, and 23.6 percent of the population at senior age.

But besides the facts and figures, the retirement lifestyle in The Maritime City offers all kinds of delightful opportunities.  Make new friends or meet up with old ones over coffee or a happy hour; both the Uptown area and the downtown waterfront offer multiple enjoyable options. Many Gig Harbor retirees also enjoy the all-ages, fitness-oriented environment at the Tom Taylor Family YMCA in Gig Harbor North, where they can take a walk indoors, make waves in a Silver Splash water aerobics class, or volunteer and become part of the fun and dynamic community. They can also join the Active Retirement & Senior Club of Gig Harbor, a membership-based organization offering a full slate of recreational and cultural activities.

Outdoor opportunities are plentiful, rain or shine, including “walking the harbor” (what locals call a stroll or jog on the waterfront) or the Cushman Trail, kayaking or paddleboarding, boating, fishing, and more. The arts are alive and well in Gig Harbor’s monthly Art Walk and the many local galleries and annual Art Festival.

Have a bit of the wanderlust? If you’re wanting to venture beyond Gig Harbor’s relative peace and quiet, opportunities for outings abound. The big city amenities of Seattle and Tacoma are not far away, nor is the unsurpassed beauty of coastal communities and mountainous national parks to the east and to the west. Whether your bent is concerts or camping, a delightful variety of entertainment and recreation options lie at your doorstep, and the time to enjoy them is . . . now!

Doug Lawrence is a licensed real estate broker with Keller Williams West  Sound in Gig Harbor. Give him a shout for all your buying, selling, and investment in real estate needs; he’s here to serve and make your transition to or within Gig Harbor (and the surrounding area) as smooth as possible! www.douglawrencerealestate.com

Visit the Gig Harbor Marina and Boatyard

Recently we had friends from out of town stay at the The Gig Harbor Marina and Boatyard, giving us an opportunity to see up-close-and-personal what a cool place it is!

A long-time fixture in the Gig Harbor community, the Marina dates back to the early 1900s. These days, however, it provides much more than simply boat moorage and repair. Today’s GH Marina is just as well-known as an event venue, training facility, and hospitality suite, and is a hub of daily activity on the waterfront.

Customers will find well-maintained docks and moorage slips, haul out and repair services, technology and vehicles to maintain every caliber of boat, high-speed Wi-Fi, and a up-to-date and responsive website for convenient payment and service requests (we always find a good website to be a big plus!). The Marina is also a sought-after event location, offering a gorgeous, covered, open-air venue (hello weddings, concerts, receptions; you name it!) as well as a beautifully-renovated apartment with two private decks overlooking the waterfront, available for booking through VRBO.

There are also boats available for booking as hospitality suites, including The Eagle, originally built for musician Steve Miller. Our friends stayed a few nights on The Eagle and it was fun to play Steve’s keyboard (original to the boat) and listen to his record albums (yes, real old vinyl) on the stereo. It was blast from the past and had us humming, “Fly like an eagle … to the sea . . . let my spirit carry me . . .” for days afterward!

Perhaps one of the most fun aspects of the Marina is the little red trolley car nestled on the lawn out front. It’s technically not affiliated but it’s certainly a fixture on the premises, and serves up delicious food for guests and passersby alike. You should check it out: stop by for some fish and chips or fish tacos or any of its other tasty offerings, and enjoy a “taste” of this iconic Gig Harbor gem!

(c) 2018 Doug Lawrence Real Estate. All Rights Reserved.

Doug Lawrence is a foodie, travel junkie, and 80s music fan who supports his adventures by working as a real estate broker based in Gig Harbor, Washington. Give him a shout if he can help you with your real estate buying, selling, or investment needs, not only in Gig Harbor, but anywhere around the world. http://www.douglawrencerealestate.com

 

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