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.
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 […] |
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, Puyallup. The County is composed […] |
The Harbor History Museum
Nestled on the Gig Harbor waterfront where Donkey Creek meets the bay, the Harbor History Museum is celebrating its 11th year of operation. Yet the Museum’s campus has a much […] |
Youth Engaged in the World Around Them
Back by popular demand, the Agents of Discovery Puget Sound Explorer Campaign introduced last summer will be bigger and better with more Mission locations when it begins again in July. […] |
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 […] |
Dancing Goats Coffee – The Legend
The Dancing Goats® Coffee Bar opened its 10th location in the Point Ruston Public Market in December 2020. Tacoma residents and visitors are now enjoying a great coffee house named […] |
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, […] |
Making Your House a Home
Tips to transform a house into a home with décor and furniture from the heart Your entry is the initial introduction to your home and sets the stage for you […] |
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 […] |
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 […] |
Tacoma Mall Expands
Long known as a community leader in shopping, dining, and entertainment, Tacoma Mall has recently announced plans to further elevate the shopping experience. Looking forward to the 2021 fall season, […] |
Gig Harbor’s Lele Thai & Vietnamese Food
When Lele started her first restaurant twenty years ago, she knew she wanted to create a place where she and her family could work together and gather. That tradition is […] |
APCC: On a Mission for the Community
When Asia Pacific Cultural Center (APCC) was formed in 1996, it was intended to fulfill a deep need as a place that brought together significant segments of minority Americans of […] |
Celebrating 40 Years: Family Eyecare Assoc.
How you treat your customers sets you apart from others in your field. Dr. Spencer Garlick and his Family EyeCare Associates practice embraces that philosophy with his motto Do What […] |
6 Tips for Winning Over Picky Toddlers
Getting young children to eat a balanced, healthy diet can be a definite challenge. But it’s important to remember that as you help your child learn healthy eating habits for […] |
Service 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 […] |
Physical Therapy with Fun & Family
Owners Kim Bisson and Susan Jankelson wanted to create a clinic that felt like home. Their goal was for each person who walked through the doors, whether patient or employee, […] |
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 […] |
