Beautiful Gig Harbor homes with great views close to Narrows Bridge

The Gig Harbor area is located across the Narrows Bridge from Tacoma in Pierce County, Washington.  It is a thriving diverse community that still offers and has been able to maintain that small town feel and culture.        

But for some, being located in Gig Harbor isn’t enough.  Some want to be located within minutes of the Tacoma Narrows Bridge.  For others, a good neighborhood offering nice views is preferable.  Some even make good schools their priority. 

But what if all of the above could be found?  Yes, it’s true.  You certainly can.  Parkview Point, located just minutes from the 24th ST NW / Tacoma Narrows Airport exit off of SR 16, has all of the above.  After crossing the Narrows Bridge, Parkview Point is located just minutes past the first exit to Gig Harbor.     

Once across the Narrows Bridge, Parkview Point is located just minutes from the freeway off-ramp.    

But, in addition to the proximity to the Narrows Bridge, there’s also tremendous, even majestic views. 

Some even say the views are relaxing, calming and invigorating; even majestic.  From Colvos Passage to the north, Point Defiance, Salmon Beach and the mainline of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe and Union Pacific Railroad across the way, to the splendor of Mt Rainier in the distance, it’s all there.  From the many different types of watercraft passing by to the far-off whistle from a freight or passenger train, the beauty and sounds are endless. You might even notice the fishing boats off Point Defiance where anglers hoping to land that trophy salmon.   

Except the number of view properties in Parkview Point are somewhat limited.  In fact, when talking with one of the property owners, he recalled when he first visited Parkview Point.  He said that the first day he was shown a view home there, it was overcast and he wasn’t much impressed.  He didn’t really like the home.  But he came back.  On the second tour he said he couldn’t believe his eyes.  There was Mount Rainier in all its glory.  Along with the spanning view, that was exactly what he wanted.  He wanted to look out and see the mountain. 

Another neighbor mentioned the view and the proximity to the bridge.  She mentioned that the new second bridge made crossing easier, but since her husband traveled frequently, there home was much closer to SeaTac where his departures and arrivals began and ended.  Ultimately being in Parkview Point made his trips much closer to home. 

Another neighbor mentioned the stability of the neighborhood and the quality of the schools.  Of course most of the view homes have had long-term occupants.  Some spanning 20 years and more.  He added that neighbors look out after one another without being meddling.  Plus, several pointed out that it’s not very often that one of the view homes will come on the market.

Other defining characteristics making the Parkview Point community unique include the homeowner associations.  Yes, that’s intentionally plural.  You see, overall the community has two association.  One covers all 75 homes in the subdivision and the other is unique to those 16 view properties with water frontage. 

According to the president of the Homeowner’s Association, she indicated all homes pay an annual fees are $200.00 per household.  However, in 2014 they had a $100.00 fee vacation.  She attributed the reduction to the fiscal success of the 2012 and prior homeowner’s board.  In terms of homeowner associations, this speaks volumes about the integrity of the community leadership.  An additional plus.

She added that the primary expenses of the association involve the maintenance and upkeep of the Parkview Point sign monument and the common areas at the entrance to the subdivision at 14th AV NW and 32nd ST NW. 

As to the second association, referred to as Waste Management, it’s function concerns only the view properties with water frontage on the Narrows.  The purpose of this group is to manage two common areas where the offsite septic drain fields serving those homes is located.  Currently the annual fees of the Waste Management group are $200.00.  But, due to the anticipated extra expense to remove encroaching blackberry bushes, fees will be increased to $300.00 soon.  The goal is to maintain the vitality of the drain fields.  Again another plus for the area.

Including the offsite drain fields serving the view properties, it is also important to recognize that additional special considerations have been taken to ensure the ongoing stability of the high bank on the waterfront. 
Several neighbors have indicated they have active pumps which continually pump water from depths exceeding 60 feet. 

One in particular has a pump which is constantly pumping water from beneath their home.  The success of those effects has helped to give assurance to the existing homeowners as well as new prospective buyers that the bank is and will continue to remain stable. 

One neighbor commented that when they recently purchased their home they had engineering reports prepared which indicated, while some sluffing is bound to occur, the hillside was sound. 

Currently on the market is the property, seen below, at 3425 9th AV CT NW., https://kenthiemann.withwre.com/listing/32470234/gallery.  

As to nearby areas of interest, not too far away is the southernmost point of the Cushman Trail.  According to the Gig Harbor website listed below, the asphalt trail spans 4.9 miles and begins at 14th AV NW and goes just west of Burnham DR NW at 96th ST NW in the heart of the harbor. 

The city’s literature further indicates, “The trail shares much of its corridor with the overhead Tacoma Power electric lines.  Along the way, trail users will traverse several large hills through areas of scenic beauty.”

Also located nearby is the Performance Golf Center, featuring a driving range and a Miniature Golf Course.