Looking for a Great Place to Live in Washington?

City of Sumner

If you are searching for a great place to live in Washington, consider putting Puyallup and Sumner at the top of your list. Living in this region comes with a long list of perks. Here’s why making the move to Puyallup and Sumner may make sense for you.

Why Move to Puyallup and Sumner?

Residents can fill their weeks working a great job, enjoying the region’s myriad outdoor activities and spending time with friendly locals who eventually feel like family. On weekends, they can attend festivals and events, explore Puyallup and Sumner’s main streets, dine at local restaurants, or even venture outside the region.

Seattle is less than an hour away, and Tacoma is even closer. Plus, Mount Rainier National Park lies to the southeast, and Puget Sound is to the west. 

“Our proximity to so much diversity lends itself well to various activities,” says Robert Kaelin, a seventh-generation Puyallup resident who owns Elements, a coffee, juice and froyo shop in downtown Puyallup. 

Real estate agent Melanie Egan has lived in Puyallup most of her life, too. She offers a great reason to move to Puyallup and Sumner. “Our housing prices are more competitive than when you get closer to downtown Tacoma and especially Seattle. Plus, we have a train that will help with people commuting to both cities.” 

Shellie Willis, another resident, retired from the military and is now the senior director of collective impact at WorkForce Central, an organization that stewards workforce development in Pierce County. She’s been in the Puyallup/Sumner area for four years. 

“I always say if you want to slow it down a bit, breathe in fresh air and not feel rushed, both cities can create that type of experience for you,” she says. 

Patrick Hagerty

Endless Entertainment 

Though just minutes apart, Puyallup and Sumner are distinct. “We almost have a tale of two cities here because while both are connected in so many ways, they also have so much to offer individually,” Kaelin says. 

For example, both cities have phenomenal business districts. “Main Street in both cities provides you with small-town charm and walkability,” Willis says. 

Much of that charm can be seen in the cities’ boutiques, hair and spa services, and array of restaurants, coffee shops, wine bars and breweries – not to mention the farmers market that takes place on Saturdays in Puyallup. 

Speaking of the farmers market, both cities host many events year-round. In fact, Puyallup has been home to the Washington State Fair since 1900. 

Events like Brewallup (featuring craft beer), Rhubarb Days, Meeker Days (celebrating Puyallup’s founding), Music Off Main, and Concerts in the Park bring the community together, celebrate culture and give people opportunities to connect with their neighbors, Kaelin says. 

In addition to fun and excitement, the Puyallup/Sumner region also provides several opportunities to enjoy quiet and solitude. Sumner Link Trail follows the White River through downtown Sumner and into farmland, and Bradley Lake Park lies in the center of Puyallup and features walking trails, a picnic area and a playground. 

“I’m biased and love the Puyallup Loop Trail and often hike it with family and friends. It’s so big you can get lost!” Egan says. 

Another reason to move to Puyallup and Sumner? The region’s friendly residents. “My wife and I have always had great neighbors. They were people you could ask for sugar and eggs when you were baking a recipe,” Kaelin says. 

And though Willis is fairly new to the area, she says this kindness has a long history. 

“The lands we dwell on are those of the Puyallup Tribe, who stand for and represent generous and welcoming behavior to all people who enter our lands,” she says. “This means so much to me as we acknowledge the meaning and purpose of the land we call home today.” 

Puyallup and Sumner Are Perfect for Seniors

Whether older adults need additional care or just want to downsize and reside with others in a senior living community, Puyallup/Sumner offers plenty of housing options. 

Examples of communities include Bonaventure of Puyallup, Brookdale Senior Living, Deer Ridge Memory Care Community, Fieldstone Memory Care Puyallup, Julian Estates Gracious Retirement Living, Life Care Center of Puyallup, Linden Grove Health Care Center, Memory Haven, Stafford Suites, Sumner Cottage, The Reverie at Silver Creek, The Rivers at Puyallup, Village Concepts, Village Cooperative of Puyallup and Vineyard Park of Puyallup. 

While the area has several excellent choices, choosing the right one can be difficult, and seniors and their families often have a lot of questions. 

Senior Housing Advisory Services is available to help families find the right placement for their loved ones in the region and its surrounding areas. 

Owner April Sage began the advisory company in 2019 after her grandmother was diagnosed with dementia. She had to move her grandmother several times to different facilities to find the perfect fit. 

“It is often cumbersome for a family to decipher the right steps at every turn to find the ideal facility for their loved one, so that inspired me to start Senior Housing Advisory Services,” Sage says. “It’s hard when you have so many options to consider, so I help narrow down the best choices for every client and their family.” 

Sage also helps families consider their budget when it comes to care. 

“I am also a former banker who is very conservative with money budgeting, so I can carefully advise clients about what facility they can afford.” 

– Kevin Litwin contributed to this article.