Central Lakes - Lakewood, WA

The history of this area ties to the opening of the McChord Airforce Base in 1930. In 2010, McChord was merged with the Fort Lewis Army Base to create Joint Base Lewis McChord, or JBLM, in local parlance. As this base grew, so did the surrounding area. Today, the Central Lakes area of Lakewood serves as a bedroom community supporting the base and as a suburb to nearby Tacoma and to Olympia, the state capital.

The military presence here can't be ignored. The McChord Air Museum provides a great look at the history of the area, the base and the military past of the region.

On the west side of the neighborhood, Lakewood Town Centre has many local and chain restaurants, which creates a core for dining and drinking. Travelers on their way to and from Seattle and Tacoma stop here for burger joints and pizza parlors. A favorite stop for families and sports fans, The Ram pours locally produced microbrews and serves excellent American fare in a sports-themed atmosphere. Look for the house specialties, including the Disorder Porter Meatloaf or Tumbleweed Burger, and be sure to ask about the beer pairings with each entree. For lunch, check out Independent Sandwich Company, which serves fresh, homemade soups, gourmet salads and unique sandwiches. If you feel adventurous, order the bacon pastrami habenero sandwich, or build your own from the extensive list of ingredients. A true locals joint, Pizza Pizzazz lacks the sort of curb appeal that would make you stop and try it without some insider information. This acts as the place where locals go, and it shouldn't be missed. The bacon cheeseburger pizza must be tried, but all of the pizzas offer a welcome relief from typical chains. The Fan Club on the north side of town remains a popular night time spot. Pub fare, a full bar, pool and darts, and DJ music on weekends make this a good bet for something other than a chain restaurant. For real night time entertainment, locals head north to Tacoma for theater, concerts and sporting events or south to Olympia for a robust local club scene with a strong college vibe.

Pierce Transit offers local bus services throughout the area, but like most suburban areas, the car dominates the transportation options. Regular, reliable bus service gets you from Lakewood to Tacoma, and from there, light rail and express bus service remains available to Seattle, Sea-Tac International Airport and other regional destinations.

Taxi service proves available, but hailing a cab is not typically an option, so be prepared to call ahead for a ride. Uber acts as an easy option, with cars usually no more than 15 minutes away from you.

If you drive your own car, parking remains easy and the area proves easy to navigate. Two major interchanges offer easy freeway access, though the region is known for heavy traffic and frequent accidents that clog up the freeway on a fairly regular basis.

The residential area of Central Lakes stays quiet, and the streets are mostly safe for pedestrians and cyclists, though sidewalks rarely exist and street lighting can be substandard.

The Central Lakes neighborhood features many wonderful local parks and recreational opportunities. Locals and visitors flock to the north side of town to visit Sunnyside Beach Park to beachcomb, fish and swim in Puget Sound. The park has volleyball, hiking trails and picnic facilities. The five lakes from which the area gets its name offer several small parks perfect for swimming, sunning and fishing. American Lake North Park remains very popular, and Edgewater Park on Steilacoom Lake provides a public boat launch on what is otherwise a mostly private waterfront.

Lakewold Gardens, a 10-acre retreat featuring native plants, rare tree species and the architecture of Thomas Church, shouldn't be missed.

Dogs run off leash at Fort Steilacoom Dog Park, the largest dedicated dog park in South Puget Sound. Just north of the dog park, a well-equipped playground makes for a perfect afternoon with the family.

Each July, nearby Lakewood hosts Summerfest, with sporting events, live music, food trucks and a classic car show.

One of the main appeals of Central Lakes, and the surrounding area, remains the relatively low cost of living when compared to nearby bedroom communities and Tacoma or Seattle. Because the area caters largely to military families and those who operate support services, rents sit low and services affordable. Median rent for a one-bedroom here runs right around $700.

A large number of residents live and work in the area, but those who do commute tend to work in Tacoma, which is served by express buses from Lakewood. Pierce Public Transit offers a $5 all-day pass. Local Pierce Transit buses serve the neighborhood of Central Lakes and offer transfers to express routes that get you to more distant destinations, including Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

Gas prices typically stay on par with or lower than the national average, though stations nearer to Interstate 5 have slightly higher prices aimed at visitors and travelers heading to and from Seattle.

Lakewood Towne Center acts as the main retail center for Central Lakes, featuring typical mall chain stores, such as Bed Bath and Beyond and Ross Dress for Less. Near Lakewood Towne Center you find a few specialty stores, such as Children's Trading Post, for kids clothing and baby necessities, or Ardesson's Shoes and Repair.

An Albertson's grocery sits on the north end of the neighborhood, and you can find a Safeway at Lakewood Towne Center. Brunson's Market on Military Road on the south side of Central Lakes has limited groceries, beer, wine,and deli fare.

Each summer from late June through September, Lakewood City Hall hosts a farmer's market on Saturdays, featuring local produce, artisan cheeses, wine and live entertainment.