With the Tacoma border to the east and the Puget Sound to the west, University Place has become one of the most desirable cities for people moving to Washington. The city is just about 24 years old as it was incorporated back in August 1995. Prior to that is was still considered part of Tacoma.
It has recently found its place on the map as the fairly new local golf course has hosted numerous major tournaments. Boasting clean neighborhoods, great water views, and more, both visitors and those who reside here enjoy each day they spend in this town.
Quite simply, people love living in University Place, which is lovingly known by many residents as U.P. Below are the main reasons why people love this city and all it has to offer them.
1. People of University Place, WA
The city of University Place has a total coverage area of about 8.56 square miles. It is a concentrated residential town with comfortable, clean communities and some great people living there.
University Place population numbers have reached around 32,500 people, with a local median age of about 37 years old. The area has been growing slowly with slightly less than 6,000 people moving to University Place since the 1990s.
2. Beaches, Parks, & Apple Orchards
Home to a variety of outdoor activities, you’ll never have to wonder about what to do in University Place. One of the most popular places to hang out around town is Titlow Beach Park, a rocky beach setting with lots of opportunities to spot sea life like starfish, periwinkles, and jellyfish. There is also a boardwalk to walk or ride your bike, as well as a playground and trails through the nearby woods.
Along Grandview Drive, you’ll also see the Curran Apple Orchard. Though it doubles as a park, as the apples come into season, locals are able to visit and pick their own to take home. Occasional cider events are held as well, with nearby vendors coming to share their produce and other wares.
3. Things to Do & Restaurants in University Place
Interested to know if there are any other fun things to do in University Place? Golfers will be in heaven with the Chambers Bay Golf Course, an award-winning course that has spectacular views of the Puget Sound and has hosted major tournaments including U.S. Open Championships. And sharing similar sights from right down the road, you can also visit the Chambers Bay Park where you’ll find 930 acres of hiking trails, beaches, and other open activities.
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Chambers Bay Golf Course, 6320 Grandview Dr W, University Place, WA 98467
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Chambers Bay Park, 4800-4850 Grandview Dr W, University Place, WA 98466
Then, when it’s time to eat, you can head to one of the delicious restaurants in University Place. The Pine Cone Cafe offers the feel of a classic American diner with great options for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Or if you’re feeling a craving for a thick, juicy burger with a milkshake on the side, head over to Lefty’s Burger Shack.
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Pine Cone Cafe, 7912 27th St W, University Place, WA 98466
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Lefty’s Burger Shack, 8317 27th St W, University Place, WA 98466
4. University Place, WA Cost of Living
The cost of living in University Place has some ups and downs when the numbers are set up next to those of Washington and the United States. Home utilities cost about 31% less than the U.S. average. And when it comes to healthcare, you’ll typically see about 20% savings compared to the rest of the country.
Are you thinking of buying a house in town? The average price of a home in University Place is $419,700, with a hot market rise of 7.5% in the last 12 months and projections to go up another 4.1% in the same amount of time. If you’re interested in finding current homes for sale in University Place, there are numerous options to accommodate most budgets.
Almost half of the local population lease their living spaces in this city. The average price of rent in University Place varies between $1,375 per month for a single bedroom up to about $2,430 per month for a five-bedroom home. These amounts are about 16% lower than the average for the surrounding Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro area.
5. Great Neighborhoods in University Place
As you’re looking for homes around town, you’ll also want to do research on the best University Place neighborhoods. Great options are available all over the city such as Peach Acres, which can be found at the southernmost part of town. There are also beautiful homes next to the Chambers Bay Golf Course, as well as Sunset Beach and in The Knolls along the border of Tacoma.
University Place, WA also provides convenient shopping within the city limits. This includes Fred Meyer, Walgreens, Trader Joes, and Whole Foods. If you want to work out, then Planet Fitness is the most popular gym around.
Located in Pierce County, University Place zip codes cover 98466 and 98467. The usual University Place area code is 253.
6. University Place Schools
Part of their own University Place School District, local schools provide education to more than 5,100 children living in the city. Options for primary and middle school-aged kids include Evergreen Primary School, Sunset Primary School, and Curtis Junior High School. Curtis Senior High is the city’s only high school, but neighboring cities offer additional options for those living closer to the edges of town.
And though the University of Puget Sound is only a few miles away, there is no university in University Place. One was originally meant to be built in the area, but the land was sold back to the city instead.
7. Jobs in University Place
Even though this area is mostly residential with only a few local companies to be found, you’ll still find some good University Place jobs to choose from. The area has a median household income of $64,883.
Top employers in University Place include the local school district, Fred Meyer stores, as well as the Pierce County Government with multiple offices in town. The Franciscan Medical Clinic also provides multiple opportunities to healthcare personnel who are looking for a job in town.
Many people living in University Place also commute to Tacoma for work as it’s only about 6 miles away.
8. Weather in University Place
If you’re new to the northwest Pacific area, you’re in for a unique climate compared to other parts of the country. University Place weather has summers that are short, warm, and a bit dry, with temperatures ranging between the mid-50s and average highs around 75°F. Winters tend to be a bit longer and wetter with fairly cold temps in the upper 30s and 40s.
Since temps almost never drop below freezing, the area gets little to no snow but does get at least 41 inches of rainfall per year.
Tips for Moving to University Place
- Enjoy a friendly community with easy access to nearby Tacoma.
- Plenty of fun things to do including parks, beaches, golfing, and more.
- Great homes to choose from with good school systems for children.
- Enjoyable weather for the majority of the year.
If you’re planning on relocating to University Place, we’d love to help with your upcoming transition process. All Ready Moving has a reliable team of professional movers who know the area as well as the best practices to make your move smooth and simple.
Give us a call today at (360) 507-2447 to learn more about our moving services or fill out the Request a Quote form above to get a free moving estimate.
