With each passing year, the beautiful communities of the Evergreen State continue to grow, attracted by the stunning natural beauty, growing job market, endless recreational opportunities, and an overall friendly vibe. However, all this growth can also make it a bit of a challenge to decide where to live in South Puget Sound.
Well, there's no need to fret or worry because the South Puget Sound area has a huge amount of opportunities for homebuyers, especially those who want to build their dream house from the ground up. The entire region of South Puget Sound ranges from the coast all the way to the stunning Mount Rainier National Park. It sits beside the southern edge of Puget Sound, and there are many beautiful cities and quaint towns that dot the area. Homebuyers have the chance to choose from many picturesque oceanfront communities in Grays Harbor County or to choose from the large cities in Thurston County, or even the more tight-knit quaint little towns.
Here are some of the best options to choose from when you are deciding where to live in South Puget Sound.
1. Grays Harbor County
One of the most beautiful places to live in South Puget Sound, Grays Harbor County, is the westernmost county in Washington. Located on the oceanfront, you will find the cities of Moclips, Ocean City, Taholah, Grayland, and several other great choices to settle down. In the north of the county, the Olympic National Forest lends some stunning natural beauty to the area, while on the western county line, the Capitol State Forest completes the abundance of greenery here.
Aberdeen is the largest city in this county, famous for being home to the late musician Kurt Cobain. This is a sparsely populated county, having a population of just 74,720. Grays Harbor County is all about nature. You will find dozens of sparkling lakes and waterways here, along with many stunning beaches and lush green state and national parks.
You may find the economy of the country to be moving at a slower rate than in other areas, but this only opens up the option for homebuyers to get a well-priced land. The country also has a lower cost of living.
2. Lewis County
Located just southeast of Grays Harbor, Lewis County has a comparable population density as that of Grays. With 80,700 residents, this beautiful county sits at an equal distance between Seattle and Portland, nestled between the mountains and the ocean. Most of the prominent cities and towns of the county are located along Highway 12 and Interstate 5. However, if you are looking to settle down in a quaint little town, there are plenty of those spread throughout the more remote lands of the county.
Lewis County is home to many world-class recreational opportunities on the Cowlitz River, Riffe Lake, the Cascades, at the Walupt Creek Falls, and many more. The county is also home to some parts of the Mount Rainier National park, Mount St. Helens National Volcanic Monument, and some other nationally protected regions, making it a haven for nature lovers.
Lewis County houses many small public school districts, a few private schools, and even a local college. The economy of the county is similar to that of Grays Harbor, and the cost of living is much less as compared to the other Pacific Northwest.
3. Mason County
Spread out over the southwestern end of Puget Sound, Mason County is another sparsely populated area that is home to just around 67,000 residents. There is only one incorporated city in the county, by the name of Shelton.
Like the other counties in this region, the key attraction of Mason County is also its beautiful connection to nature. From the breathtaking peaks of the Olympic Mountains to the beautiful islands and inlets of the Sound, Mason County is the perfect retreat from today's hectic pace of life.
However, as compared to Grays Harbor and Lewis counties, the cost of living in Mason County is slightly higher but still lower than the other parts of Washington. The average home price here is around $440,000. Mason County has a good employment record, with some of the leading job sectors being in retail, manufacturing, and healthcare, amongst others.
Apart from these leading areas to live in, there are several other places to choose from, including Pacific County, Pierce County, and Thurston County.
Contact us today if you'd like to learn more about life in South Puget Sound, or are thinking about buying or selling a home in the area. You can either email us at main@windermere.com, or call or text us at (253) 549-6897.
