Thinking
about hiring a Gig Harbor Realtor?
Kimberly Gartland
has been a leader in the real estate industry from the very beginning.
- Kimberly has received many awards including “Best in Client Satisfaction” by
Seattle Magazine and #1 Agent in the John L. Scott Gig Harbor
office.
- Kimberly offers
you a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. “If you’re not thrilled
with my real estate services I will fire myself and refer
you to my biggest competitor!”
- Marketing and negotiation
strategies are Kimberly’s strong points. Kimberly’s
background includes a BSBA and she has held management positions
in Fortune
100 companies.
- Kimberly limits
the number of clients she works with to ensure everyone
gets the time and attention they need and deserve.
- View Kimberly’s
testimonials to hear from her raving fans who were once
clients and now are friends. Click here.
 Gig
Harbor is, above
all, a paradise for water enthusiasts of all kinds. The Gig
Harbor Yacht Club is an active member of the community. Fishing and
beachcombing
are popular pastimes.
On a clear day (and contrary to the rumors,
there are lots of those), the towering presence of Mount Rainier
perches on the east horizon, while to the northwest,
the jagged peaks of the Olympic Mountains beckon outdoor lovers. Who could
ask for a more spectacular natural setting?
But there’s more, of course.
Gig Harbor’s beauty is more than skin
deep. People decide to stay and make a home here not only because of the
unparalleled natural surroundings but also because of the community.
Gig Harbor
remains that all-too-rare place where it’s possible to run
into your neighbors at the grocery store or the dry cleaners, where people
smile and wave to you as you walk down the street, and where individual
participation in the life of the town is valued and encouraged.
The pace
of life is slower here. Despite the area’s easy access to the
cities of Tacoma and Seattle, Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula feel like
a world apart from the hustle and bustle of urban life.
In Gig Harbor, it’s possible to have the best of all worlds, to
live in a quaint small town while having access to both wilderness and
one of the
great cities of the world. It’s possible to take advantage of everything
civilization has to offer while living in a place where you can still
see stars at night and hear crickets and frogs outside your front door
instead of traffic.
Whatever you like to do with your spare time, you’ll
find it here, whether it’s playing outdoors or indoors, browsing
art galleries or taking in a play, stopping for a cup of chowder or sitting
down for a unique fine-dining
experience. The possibilities are endless.
Why should I use this website as my Gig Harbor source of info?
This website was
specifically designed to assist you to gather information about
Gig Harbor, Gig Harbor real estate, Gig Harbor schools, etc. How can
you consider moving to our little piece of paradise if you
haven’t
done your research? This site is here to assist you.
We have employed
the latest and greatest technology for home searches. The map
search is the easiest way to find a house in Gig Harbor. We’ve
even made it easier and allow you to search by Gig Harbor waterfront,
Gig Harbor view homes, new construction homes, condos and even
rental
properties.
If you’re
looking to sell your home there is a plethora of information including
a Market Snapshot section that gives you
wonderful information about the homes in your area that are currently
for sale and those that have recently sold. Market Snapshot shows
you how long your neighbors homes took to sell AND it includes photos
of the homes. There is also a section that talks about our FREE staging
services and FREE professional photography as well as info on our direct feedback systems.
Be sure to look under Kimberly’s Listings so you can see a sample of the marketing I give to each of the homes
I list for sale. You’d be surprised how my marketing differs
from others. Don’t miss this section.
If you’re
looking to buy a home you will want to view our FREE reports on Buyer
Traps and How to Avoid Them and How to Pass
a Home Inspection. You can sign up for the
Property Tracker reports so you can receive emails as soon as new
homes come on the market. That way you can be the first to know about
a great house. You’ll also want to read some of the testimonials
that have been written by my clients so that you can feel comfortable
you’re getting a real professional when you decide to hire
me.
If you prefer to
receive a relocation package about Gig Harbor contact us. We’ll get one out to you right away. Our relocation
packets have everything you can imagine including demographics,
school info, park info, restaurants, lodging, utilities, weather, history
of Gig Harbor and more.
Tell me a little history of Gig Harbor
 Gig Harbor got its name during an American expedition in 1841,
when a member of Lt. Charles Wilkes’s crew rowed into the
bay in a gig, or small narrow boat.
It’s possible
other explorers came and went before that, but the tucked-away
bay went largely unnoticed for a long time by all but the Native
Americans, who knew it to be rich in abundant natural resources, especially
salmon.
Twenty years later, three men rowed down from British
Columbia and decided
to put down roots.
One of the men, Samuel Jerisich, and his wife Anna are often remembered as
the first settlers of Gig Harbor.
Others soon followed, though, when word spread of the area’s beauty and
rich resources. Eager men and women from throughout the United States and Europe—particularly
Norway, Sweden and Croatia—soon arrived in the area, looking for new
opportunities.
(This article continues in our Gig Harbor Info History page.)
What’s the climate like?
Visitors are often surprised
by the moderate temperatures in the area. Typical summer highs reach the low
80s, while daytime winter temperatures average in
the 40s. Winters can be blustery and rainy, but not with the bitter cold anticipated
in a northern state. In summer, an open window serves for air-conditioning,
and shorts and a pullover or sweatshirt suffice for pleasant days and cool
nights.
Average annual rainfall:
37 inches (less than New York, NY or Houston,
TX);
75% of which falls October through March.
Average winter temperature: 40-50
degrees
Average spring temperature: 55-65 degrees
Average summer temperature:
70-80 degrees
Average fall temperature: 55-65 degrees
Coldest month: January
Warmest month: August
Driest month: July
Wettest month: December
Give me the
facts about Gig Harbor.
 Altitude:
sea level to 440 feet
Population:
City of Gig Harbor: 6,780
Gig Harbor/Key Peninsula Area: 66,000
Pierce County: 674,000 Area code: (253)
ZIP codes (main): 98335, 98332, 98329
City of Gig Harbor:
Incorporated: 1946
Square miles: 4.14
Area: 2,809 acres
Lineal Water Frontage: 2.8 Miles
Urban Growth Area: 3,808 Acres
Recreation:
State Parks: 3
City Parks: 2
Swimming pools: 3
Public golf courses: 3
Soccer and ball fields, tennis courts, skateboard park, sailing club;
Close
to snow skiing (2 hours);
Water sports include: scuba diving, sailing, kayaks,
power boats, jet skis, wind surfing, water skiing.
Averages:
Average home price: $474,620
Median home price: $392,500
Apartment rent: $700-$1,000
Household income: $63,500 Average tax rate (per $1,000 assessed value): $12.25 The People:
(includes urbanized area outside city limits)
Ethnic makeup: 95% Caucasian
Median age: 38.5
Enrolled in public school (K-12): 8,717
Completed four-year college or higher: 50% over age 25
Distances:
Tacoma - 11 miles
Bremerton - 30 miles
Sea-Tac International Airport - 33 miles
Olympia (State Capital) - 45 miles
Seattle - 49 miles
Olympic National Park (Staircase Rapids Area) - 65 miles
Mt. Rainier (Paradise Area) - 83 miles
Mt. St. Helen's (Johnstons Ridge Area) - 141 miles
Portland - 146 miles
 Where exactly is Gig Harbor, Washington?
The City of Gig Harbor is located on Gig Harbor Bay in Puget Sound across
the Narrows Bridge from Tacoma. Nestled in the heart of Puget Sound within
Pierce
County, the second most populous county in Washington.
The Key Peninsula is a peninsula located between Carr and Case inlets southwest
of Gig Harbor.
What about the taxes in Gig Harbor?
State income tax: none
Local option B&O tax: none
Transient occupancy tax: none
Sales tax: 8.4% inside city limits, 8.2% in county
Property tax: levy rate $1.498 per $1000 of assessed valuation
Utility Tax: 5%
Who are the major employers in Gig Harbor? (Source
Reference USA)
Over 250 employees:
Correctional Department, Women’s
100-250 employees:
Canterwood Golf and Country Club
Century Tel
Cottesmore of Life Care
Franciscan Hospital
Fred Meyer
Gig Harbor High School
Gig Harbor Medical Clinic
Manor Care Health Services
Medalia Healthcare
Metagenics
Multicare Urgent Care Center
Peninsula High School
QFC Quality Food Center
Safeway
YMCA
 50-99 employees:
Active Construction
Artondale Elementary School
City of Gig Harbor
Gig Harbor Ford
Goodman Middle School
Harbor Heights elementary school
Harbor Ridge Middle School
Heritage Restaurant
Inn at Gig Harbor
John L. Scott Real Estate
Kopachuck Middle School
McDonalds
Minterbrook Oyster Co
Olympic Pharmacy and Health Services
Peninsula Light Co
Pierce County Fire Dept
Point of Sale Data Products
Purdy Elementary School
Tacoma Community College
Thriftway
Transpro
Wade Perrow Construction Inc
Major Employers in Pierce County
For information regarding the local labor market go to http://www.gopierce.org/html/labor_force.htm
What
can you tell us about the schools?
If you have kids, schools are the first
thing you want to know about. The
Peninsula School District, which serves most of the Gig Harbor area,
is consistently
rated one of the top districts in Washington state. One secret of success
for the district is the high level of parental involvement. In addition to the public schools, a wide variety of both religious and non-religious
private schools are available to choose from.
Following high school, ongoing students don’t have to look far to further
their educations. Tacoma Community College has a Gig Harbor campus. And just
across the Narrows Bridge in Tacoma several options are available, from community
colleges to technical colleges, as well as four-year universities: The University
of Puget Sound, Pacific Lutheran University and the University of Washington-Tacoma.
Fast Facts About Gig Harbor Schools
-
All-Day Kindergarten is now standard at all of our elementary schools at no
fee.
- Our students have performed consistently above the state averages on the Washington
- Assessment of Student Learning (WASL) in reading, writing and mathematics at
all grade levels.
- 90% of our high school students are reading at or above the state standard.
- Our SAT scores in reading and mathematics are consistently higher than national
averages.
- 78% of our teachers have Master’s or Doctorate degrees.
- In 2004, Peninsula School District received an “Aa3” bond rating
from Moody’s Investment Services of New York, a testament to sound financial
management.
(This article continues in our Gig Harbor Info Schools page.)
Where can we launch our boat?
- Crescent Lake Boat Launch
A small boat launch is available at the northwest end of Crescent Lake and
includes parking and portable restrooms.
- Randall Street Boat Launch
The two-land paved boat launch is on the northeast side of the harbor at the
end of Randall Street. Car and boat trailer parking is allowed along the curb
on Randall Street and 89th Street Northwest in the residential area.
- Wollochet Harbor Boat Launch
There’s a small boat launch off of Pt Fosdick Drive and 10th St. Chuck
please fix spacing
- Fox Island Boat Launch
On nearby Fox Island is strictly for boat launching - no dock. Out on the Key
Peninsula, there are several places to launch smaller boats.
- Randall Boat Launch in east Gig Harbor is open to the public and serves small vessels.
- Out on the
Key Peninsula, there are several places to launch smaller boats.
- Penrose Point
and Joemma State Parks both offer launches, as do the Purdy Spit and Herron
Point.
How about boat rentals or harbor tours? Are they available?
Yes they are. We also have a sailing club in Gig Harbor.
Marinas
Numerous commercial and private marinas have been developed along the north
and west shores of the harbor.
Where are the parks in Gig Harbor?
Day Use Parks:
Gig Harbor City Park
Vernhardsen St.
(253) 851-8136
Finholm View Climb
North Harborview St.
(253) 851-8136
Skansie Brothers Park and Jerisich Public Dock
(253) 851-8136
Gig Harbor Skateboard Park
Grandview St.
(253) 851-8136
Sunrise Beach County Park
Sunrise Beach
 Parks With Campgrounds:
Gig Harbor RV Park
(800) 526-8311
Joemma Beach State Park
1-888-CAMP-OUT
Kopachuck State Park
1-888-CAMP-OUT
Penrose Point State Park
(800) 233-0321 x5
Other nearby recreation areas.
Kopachuck State Park
Located on Carr Inlet on Henderson Bay.
(253) 265-3606
Cutts Island State Park
Located on the Carr Inlet just northwest of Kopachuck State Park.
(253) 265-3606
Crescent Creek Park
(253) 851-8136
Jerisich Dock/Skansie Brother’s Park
(253) 851-8136
Donkey Creek Park
At the intersection of Harborview and North Harborview Drive.
(253) 851-8136
Grandview Forest Park
Next to the Gig Harbor Civic Center, 3105 Grandview St.
(253) 851-8136
Cushman Trail
This beautiful paved trail is a haven for walkers, roller bladers, and bicyclists.
Stretching from the middle of Gig Harbor to nearly the Tacoma Narrows bridge,
the trail parallels state Route 16 and runs under the power lines. (253) 851-8136
Adam Tallman Nature Trail
(253) 851-8136
Wilkinson Farm Park
(253) 851-8136
Sehmel Homestead Park
78th Avenue NW and Sehmel Drive NW.
(253) 858-3400
McCormick Forest
Sehmel Drive and Bujacich Road NW.
(253) 858-3400
Fox Island Fishing Pier
1453 Ozette Drive
(253) 798-4009
Sunrise Beach
10015 Sunrise Beach Drive NW.
(253) 798-4176
Narrow's Park
1600 Lucille Parkway.
(253) 798-4176
Penrose Point State Park
Joemma Beach State Park
Purdy Sand Spit
Located adjacent to state Route 302.
(253) 798-4476
Home Park
Located at the corner of Key Peninsula Highway and 8th Avenue.
(253) 884-9240
Rocky Creek Conservation Area
Located at state Route 302 and 150th Avenue KPN.
(253) 884-9240
Key Peninsula Sports Complex And Fairgrounds
Located at 5514 Key Peninsula Highway, North Lakebay.
(253) 884-9240
Crescent Lake Park
At the south end of Crescent Lake.
(253) 798-4176
For more information on area parks and recreation:
Pierce County Parks
Washington State Parks (Reservations)
Peninsula Recreation Program Guide
Are there any golf courses in Gig Harbor?
Yes. Several good ones. Here’s some information for you:
Canterwood Golf & Country Club
(253) 851-1845 • www.canterwoodgcc.com
Gig Harbor Golf & Country Club
(253) 851-2378 • www.gigharborgolfclub.com
Madrona Links Golf Course
(253) 851-5193 • www.madronalinks.com
McCormick Woods Golf Course
(253) 895-0130 • www.mccormickwoodsgolf.com
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