Maplewood in Gig Harbor
This quiet residential area of Gig Harbor is a highly desirable community of quality homes. Maplewood is known for it’s natural beauty and wildlife, beach front parks and waterfront facing Colvos Passage.
This neighborhood is reached by driving around the Gig Harbor waterfront making it a hidden gem with many quality developments. You can expect a quiet drive home into a private escape with easy access to the amenities of downtown Gig Harbor and Gig Harbor North.
3.3 miles to freeway
1,400 homes
Want to live here?
Local real estate agent Darren Rivers created this site as a guide for people who are moving to the Gig Harbor area. If you need a local real estate agent, Darren is a clear choice. He not only is passionate about serving his clients and has intimate knowledge of Gig Harbor, but he is one of the top Re/Max realtors in the country.
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Location
Maplewood is located South of Ollala and Northeast of Downtown Gig Harbor on Puget Sound’s scenic Colvos Passage. From this area, Downtown Gig Harbor and Gig Harbor North are both accessible in 10-15 minutes, depending on what area of this large neighborhood you are driving from.
Commuting to Seattle from here is about an hour drive with no traffic but can nearly double during heavy traffic times. A much easier commute is Tacoma which offers little traffic and can be reached in 20-30 minutes.
Both of these commutes consist of crossing the Tacoma Narrows Bridge. In 2007 a second Narrows Bridge opened for eastbound traffic only, alleviating the massive traffic that the original bridge funneled both directions for many years. As a result, there is rarely any traffic and few closures at the Narrows crossing. For many years it was one of the biggest bottleneck in the areas prior to the opening of the new bridge.
Local traffic in Maplewood is never an issue but allow time and patience for commuting on narrow, low-speed, winding forested roads to safely get to your location.
Outdoor Activities
As someone who loves the outdoors, I find there is no end of options in a place like Maplewood! Two large waterfront parks give great access to Puget Sound and the beauty of Crescent Lake and Gig Harbor are right at hand.
All of the above offer boating, water sports, and fishing, and the 82 acre Sunrise Beach Park is a favorite spot for swimming and scuba diving. It is not unusual to spot orcas, seals, and other wildlife along the scenic Colvos Passage.
Maplewood Beach Park is a 36-acre high bank waterfront park with trails and 1,000 feet of shoreline. Enjoy Orcas, dolphins, and all manner of sailing vessels. Fishing and clamming along with a wide sandy beach which is perfect for volleyball.
Nearby Crescent Lake also offers great walking and biking trails and a 15-minute drive gives you access to the Cushman Trail, a great walking and destination biking trail that runs through green belts tracking along Highway 16.
The options for outdoor activities are one of the things that has kept me in this area for over 25 years. As stated above, nearby downtown Gig Harbor offers everything from sailing and fishing to scenic walks and parks. You can rent kayaks and even take a ride on an authentic Italian Gondola!
For golfers,nearby Gig Harbor North offers one of the area’s most prestigious golf courses at Canterwood Golf and country club. Gig Harbor has numerous golf courses and a strong golfing culture.
Gardening is also very popular and you will find many nurseries, classes, community gardens, and garden tours. Nearby Maplewood is the Crescent Valley Lavender farm and Crescent Valley is still home to many farm properties.
In this area, you will also find the North Harbor Equestrian Center. Horse riding is very popular throughout rural parts of Gig Harbor, and for those interested, you will find a strong equestrian community here.
Attractions
As a parent raising children in Gig Harbor, and a resident for 25 years, I have been very happy with the schools of the area and they are a big draw to people choosing to relocate to the area. I believe they are a reflection of the engaged and strong local community and part of the reason I have chosen this as my home.
Some of the schools accessible to Maplewood include Swift Water Elementary, Harbor Ridge Middle School, Gig Harbor High School, and Henderson Bay High School.
In the bustling Gig Harbor North and downtown you will find local dining options, wine bars and coffee shops.
Access to the one of the most attractive historic downtown’s in the state is a major attraction to living in this area. This quaint Maritime village is a known destination stop for boaters Puget Sound boaters.
It also features the beautiful Gig Harbor Maritime Museum, not only a great place for history education, but also a dynamic community event space with live music and other public events.
One of the amenities of Gig Harbor North is the large modern YMCA offering recreational programs and services for all ages including a swimming pool, climbing gym, sauna, indoor running track, youth center, and more. This community based non-profit offers empowerment and an inclusive space where people of all ages can learn, grow and improve health.
Shopping
Maplewood is an entirely residential and rural area but within minutes to Gig Harbor North which offers big box locations like Costco, Home Depot and Target that you don’t find in other parts of Gig Harbor. One of the anchor stores of Gig Harbor North is the “super-size” Albertson’s that meets nearly any food shopping need.
In downtown Gig Harbor and you will find an abundance of small local shops and boutiques for “retail therapy” along with boat and Kayak shops.
About 20 minutes away is the modern Uptown Shopping Center with J Jill, Chico’s, Ann Taylor Loft, Marshall’s, and other clothing shopping options.
For food shopping, Uptown also offers Safeway, Fred Meyer, Harbor Greens and the Luxury grocery, Metropolitan Market. But you don’t have to go to Uptown for grocery options.
The large Tacoma Mall is a 30-minute drive away and features Nordstrom, Macy’s, and many other national brands.
Type of Properties
I enjoy the abundance of quiet developments in wooded areas here. there are many property options, and settings from private homes in the woods, to farmland and beachfront properties.
The main development of this area took place from the 1970s to the 1990s though you can find some properties built since 2000 also. The majority of homes are medium size 3 to 4 bedrooms with some much larger homes.
For those who want out of the city, this is a great area to explore.
More on Maplewood
Shopping
Maplewood is an entirely residential and rural area but within minutes to Gig Harbor North which offers big box locations like Costco, Home Depot and Target that you don’t find in other parts of Gig Harbor. One of the anchor stores of Gig Harbor North is the “super-size” Albertson’s that meets nearly any food shopping need.
In downtown Gig Harbor and you will find an abundance of small local shops and boutiques for “retail therapy” along with boat and Kayak shops.
About 20 minutes away is the modern Uptown Shopping Center with J Jill, Chico’s, Ann Taylor Loft, Marshall’s, and other clothing shopping options.
For food shopping, Uptown also offers Safeway, Fred Meyer, Harbor Greens and the Luxury grocery, Metropolitan Market. But you don’t have to go to Uptown for grocery options.
The large Tacoma Mall is a 30-minute drive away and features Nordstrom, Macy’s, and many other national brands.
Type of Properties
I enjoy the abundance of quiet developments in wooded areas here. there are many property options, and settings from private homes in the woods, to farmland and beachfront properties.
The main development of this area took place from the 1970s to the 1990s though you can find some properties built since 2000 also. The majority of homes are medium size 3 to 4 bedrooms with some much larger homes.
For those who want out of the city, this is a great area to explore.
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