Top 10 Reasons Why Living In Kitsap County ROCKS!

I’ve lived in the beautiful Pacific Northwest all my life, but I have to say that Kitsap County is by far one of the best areas here. From the lush green hiking to the waterfront dining, all within commuting distance of the incredible Seattle, Kitsap County offers the best of all worlds.

So, what is so great about it? Let me count down the top 10 reasons living in Kitsap County ROCKS (stick around for #1)!

Top 10 Reasons Living in Kitsap County WA ROCKS!

#10 There’s Far Less Traffic Than In Other Highly Desirable Places in the Pacific Northwest

I can’t exactly say Kitsap is a hidden gem because people are moving here all the time (as a Kitsap Realtor, I should know!), but it’s certainly less people-dense than other popular of the Pacific Northwest. Living in a city like Seattle or Portland is a great way to ensure you’ve got everything you could need and want on your doorstep, but trying to drive anywhere can feel a little like you’ve somehow teleported to LA. The traffic sucks.

Living in Kitsap County gives you the option of avoiding the busy roads, and even our traffic will seem minor if you come from a major city.

#9 Kitsap County WA Has a Strong Economy (But is Still Affordable)

Living somewhere with a strong economy has it’s pros and cons; the pro is that there’s plenty to do, plenty of job opportunities, and things are generally of better quality and well maintained. The only con is, of course, that it means everything is a little more expensive! For most of us, however, that’s a trade-off we’re willing to make. With Seattle just a drive or ferry away, and the 6th largest naval base in the country right here, our economy is thriving.

That’s not to say, however, that living here is unaffordable. Sure, if you want to live in central Seattle, you’re going to need pretty deep pockets, but Kitsap is much more reasonable. The median home price here is around $400,000, with prices dropping if you’re willing to live a little further from Seattle. You can get a big house on a big lot here for money that would get you a cramped one in Seattle, so for most of us it’s a no-brainer.

#8 We Have Over 17 Independent Breweries

Love beer? If you’re in the majority who does, then you’re going to love it here. We have some of the best breweries in the country right here in Kitsap County, and of course, they’re all available locally. If you love trying something new, it will take you a long time to get through everything on offer here!

#7 We’ve Got a Small-Town Feel

If you’re moving away from your hometown or someone where everybody knows your name (Cheers was set in Seattle…) then you won’t feel like a fish out of water here. Because we’re set on a peninsula and are a smaller community, we’re much more tight-knit than other towns and cities. People are friendly, will go out of their way to recognize you and learn your name if you’re a regular, and we all come together to back the High School teams. We really value community here, and that’s the heart many towns and cities are missing today.

#6 You’ll Never Be Short of Things to Do

Because we’ve got the military base here, a tight-knit community, and Seattle just down the road (well, over the sound), there’s always something going on. There’s local farmers markets from Spring through Fall, High School games to watch, plenty of great restaurants to visit, and local stores to browse. Of course, you can always head into Seattle for the day or evening, or escape into the Olympic National Park for a taste of the wild.

#5 It’s Perfect for Families

Kitsap County really is one of the best places in the state to raise a family. As we talked about above, we’re a smaller community here, and that means there’s plenty of support for kids and their families. We’ve got great schools, civic centers, sports teams and clubs, daycares, theaters, the list goes on. Whether you’re just starting to think about having kids or are moving with teenagers, Kitsap will give you a safe community they can thrive in.

#4 We’ve Got City-Level Food Options

What’s the downfall of small towns? Often, it’s a lack of food choice. I’m proud to say that is not the case here. With the military base nearby, we’ve got a huge range of ethnic backgrounds living here, and so we’ve got a huge range of food options whenever you want to get takeout or go out to eat. Grab burgers at Bremerton’s Axe & Arrow, eat apple pancakes the size of your head at the Oak Table Café, or grab Korean BBQ in Silverdale.

#3 Keeping Active is Easy

If you’re naturally active, you’ll thrive here, but even if you’re not, you’ll find yourself being pulled outside. We’ve got a huge range of activities to do here in Kitsap, and of course we’re surrounded by national parks if you’re willing to go a little further. We’ve got kayaking, paddle boarding, boating, and fishing on our numerous waterways and lakes.

Our roads are perfect for cycling, running around your local neighborhood is beautiful year-round, and of course there is ample opportunity to hike. My husband and I love boating, and there’s no shortage of marinas here where you can dock.

#2 You Will Never Ever Get Tired of the Views

Views here are breath-taking, and you will never, ever get sick of them. Whether you’re simply walking through your neighborhood in fall or hiking up into the mountains in the national parks, you will always find a view to photograph and a deeper sense of inner peace. It may sound crazy, but taking a deep, steadying breath when you’re looking across the Puget Sound or hiking through the forests is seriously good for your soul.

#1 Location, Location, Location

So, what can possibly top inner peace and breath taking views? Well, it’s the option to choose! Living in Kitsap County means you are perfectly positioned to decide where you want to be — stay at home in your quiet neighborhood, head into town to the local coffee shop, get away from it all in the mountains, or head into Seattle and feel the excitement that city life brings. You can commute to work in Seattle Monday to Friday, and spend your weekends exploring the trails. If you want to see your favorite band or have date night in the city, it’s all possible.

Thinking of moving to Kitsap County? If so, don’t hesitate to reach out to me! I’m a Kitsap realtor and am always happy to answer questions, even if you’re in the earliest stages of planning your move, and I’ve got a YouTube Channel (find it here) with tons of information to help you make up your mind and ensure your move goes smoothly. Of course, you can find all my contact information on my home page, and don’t forget to reach out! As a Kitsap realtor, I’m here to help, so feel free to email, call, or send me a text and I’ll get back to you.