Raft Island in Rosedale
Raft Island is one of the most unique neighborhoods in Gig Harbor, a true gem of sorts. There are few places where you can really experience the Pacific Northwest like this leisurely, small island community right on Puget Sound.
5.1 miles to freeway
250 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
Raft Island is a sub-neighborhood of Rosedale a semi-rural and historic area of greater Gig Harbor. Gig Harbor is located on the Western side of Puget Sound in Western Washington.
Raft Island is located approximately 5 miles west of downtown Gig Harbor. It is accessed by a small bridge. What a rare opportunity to live on an island that is only 10 minutes from one of the most attractive towns on the Olympic Peninsula and a top boater destination in Puget Sound.
For commuters, Tacoma is just 15-20 minutes away and Seattle is less than an hour’s drive, though with peak traffic, drive time can double to nearly 2 hours.
Despite the rural feel, it is in close proximity to the more modern community of Gig Harbor north with big box stores and other desirable amenities.
Attractions
The two biggest attractions here are island living and Puget Sound. Not only are there many waterfront properties but the entire Gig Harbor area offers easy access to Puget Sound for boating, fishing and all types of water sports and activities. It’s also known for proximity to Seattle, Mt. Rainier, the Olympic Peninsula and all the natural beauty that the Pacific Northwest offers.
Gig Harbor boasts a strong community with many small-town events and activities such as the Gig Harbor Maritime Festival in the summer and the lighted boat parade at Christmas. Rosedale Hall, one of the last remaining historic “Community Halls”, hosts classes and year-round events for this neighborhood.
This area is well known for community involvement, volunteer groups, quality schools, churches and nearby medical facilities.
The nearby Gig Harbor North neighborhood offers a large modern YMCA with 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.
A 10 minute drive brings you to beautiful downtown Gig Harbor with shopping, dining, water activities, and the Maritime Museum, which is a great place for history education and a dynamic community event space with live music and other public events.
All of these add up to make Raft Island one of my favorite areas of Gig Harbor.
Outdoor Activities
If living on an island isn’t enough to experience the Northwest, there’s more!
This area is well known for it’s parks. Kopachuck State Park is a large wooded waterfront park great for swimming, fishing, and features many beautiful hiking trails. The expansive, Historic Sehmel Homestead Park has a community center, playground, soccer and baseball fields with lots of parking for events. The Wilkinson Farm Parkoffers a 16 acre wildlife park, historic buildings, walking trails and community garden and greenhouse.
There are lots of easily accessible golfing options: The prestigious Canterwood Golf and Country Club is 10- 15 minutes away and in contrast, the Gig Harbor Golf course is a pleasant little course that offers panoramic views of Artondale and peaceful wooded surroundings.
For bikers, walkers and runners, there is the Cushman Trail, a 6.2 mile walking and bike trail with various grades, onsite parking, restrooms and seating along the way. Gig Harbor’s downtown offers other options for walking and running (both very popular in the Harbor) and also Kayak rentals and other water activities along with numerous city parks.
Shopping
Raft Island is a residential neighborhood but just before the bridge, you will find the Island View Market and Public House.
The quiet, rural neighborhood of Rosedale is also mainly residential but it does feature its own charming small market with a gas station, a large nursery, and the local favorite, Chalet in the Woods.
The Rosedale Gardens nursery is one of the oldest in Gig Harbor and has a long family history as does Chalet in the Woods, a scenic European clothing and gift store with 12 acres of gardens, woods, and sheep pasture. This store is known for Scandanavian and French clothing items and caters to the established Norwegian community that originally made up a large population of Gig Harbor.
Aside from these quaint local establishments, Rosedale residents have quick access to the nearby Gig Harbor North which offers big box locations like Costco, Home Depot, Albertson’s and Target that you won’t find in other parts of Gig Harbor. just to the South of that area is the charming and historic downtown Gig Harbor where you will find small local shops and boutiques for “retail therapy”.
A short 15-20 minute drive puts you in the heart of the large retail district on Pt Fosdick Drive, also known as “Uptown”, named after a large upscale shopping area that was built in 2008.
Uptown itself features all types of stores from local boutiques to commercial chains like Marshall’s, J. Jill, and Ann Taylor Loft. You can find everything you need in the area from coffee shops, restaurants, major grocery stores, services such as dry cleaners, and even a large Cinema.
The amenities of the area are too much to list but some highlights are a medical center, a large, classy family fun center with bowling, dining, shopping, and other activities.
The newly built gourmet grocery, Metropolitan Market offers upscale options in a big box atmosphere. Around the corner from Metropolitan Market is the smaller local grocery, Harbor Greens offering a beautiful plant and flower selection, unique gifts, and a small deli.
Type of Properties
Drive across the Raft Island bridge and experience a quiet waterfront community for a lifestyle like no other. Of course you will find a collection of waterfront and view homes here.
The small size and high desirability of this island mean that it is a competitive market with few building lots and homes that are scooped up quickly.
Development began on the Island in 1957 with the original bridge being built in 1958 and replaced in 2014. You can read the history of the bridge here.
Homes on the island range from that period to the present so there are a variety of options and sizes, though few with acreage.
More on Raft Island
Shopping
Raft Island is a residential neighborhood but just before the bridge, you will find the Island View Market and Public House.
The quiet, rural neighborhood of Rosedale is also mainly residential but it does feature its own charming small market with a gas station, a large nursery, and the local favorite, Chalet in the Woods.
The Rosedale Gardens nursery is one of the oldest in Gig Harbor and has a long family history as does Chalet in the Woods, a scenic European clothing and gift store with 12 acres of gardens, woods, and sheep pasture. This store is known for Scandanavian and French clothing items and caters to the established Norwegian community that originally made up a large population of Gig Harbor.
Aside from these quaint local establishments, Rosedale residents have quick access to the nearby Gig Harbor North which offers big box locations like Costco, Home Depot, Albertson’s and Target that you won’t find in other parts of Gig Harbor. just to the South of that area is the charming and historic downtown Gig Harbor where you will find small local shops and boutiques for “retail therapy”.
A short 15-20 minute drive puts you in the heart of the large retail district on Pt Fosdick Drive, also known as “Uptown”, named after a large upscale shopping area that was built in 2008.
Uptown itself features all types of stores from local boutiques to commercial chains like Marshall’s, J. Jill, and Ann Taylor Loft. You can find everything you need in the area from coffee shops, restaurants, major grocery stores, services such as dry cleaners, and even a large Cinema.
The amenities of the area are too much to list but some highlights are a medical center, a large, classy family fun center with bowling, dining, shopping, and other activities.
The newly built gourmet grocery, Metropolitan Market offers upscale options in a big box atmosphere. Around the corner from Metropolitan Market is the smaller local grocery, Harbor Greens offering a beautiful plant and flower selection, unique gifts, and a small deli.
Type of Properties
Drive across the Raft Island bridge and experience a quiet waterfront community for a lifestyle like no other. Of course you will find a collection of waterfront and view homes here.
The small size and high desirability of this island mean that it is a competitive market with few building lots and homes that are scooped up quickly.
Development began on the Island in 1957 with the original bridge being built in 1958 and replaced in 2014. You can read the history of the bridge here.
Homes on the island range from that period to the present so there are a variety of options and sizes, though few with acreage.
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