Lakeland North - Auburn, WA

In 2008, a part of Lakeland North was annexed into next door Auburn, while the rest of the neighborhood remains a part of the unincorporated King County.

To find out more about the history and nature of the region, visit the Kent Historical Museum in nearby Kent, maintained and operated by the Greater Kent Historical Society and dedicated to the discovery, preservation and dissemination of knowledge about the history of the greater Kent area.

While Lakeland North does not offer its own art scene or annual events, residents seeking cultural entertainment may simply head for Seattle or Tacoma for plenty of options.

For restaurants and nightlife in Lakeland North, head to Highway 509 and Federal Way, where the range of restaurants may be limited but still manages to span the globe from Mediterranean to Mexican.

Gyros House, located at 1945 South Commons Mall, serves a variety of traditionally prepared Mediterranean food in a friendly and inviting environment. Locals recommend the carved gyro, made with beef or lamb and served with French fries and a drink.

If Asian cuisine is more to your taste, Kwan Tip Thai features traditional dishes served with a smile. Drop in for lunch to choose one of four combination dishes, including the chicken sweet and sour stir-fried with pineapple, onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, bell pepper and celery.

Pop’s Pizza and Pasta provides a simpler flavor palette for a taste of Italy. Choose from a variety of pizzas, pastas, calzones and hot sandwiches. If you’re a fan of meat lover pizzas, you can’t go wrong with a Pop’s Special, with Italian sausage, Canadian bacon, black olives, mushrooms, red onions and mozzarella cheese among the toppings. Order online for delivery or takeout if you’d prefer to dine at home.

Find most nightlife options in the neighborhood also located along Federal Way. Take advantage of the pool tables at the Time Out Ale House or investigate the locally recommended bar food. 1st Avenue Karaoke meanwhile provides a nightlife alternative for those who want to get together with a group of friends and try their hand at singing some hits. Alternatively, if you’re just on the hunt for a drink and fancy cheering on your favorite sports team, R Jay’s Scoreboard is a sports bar with plenty of screens showing the game, along with great food and drink.

As most of the stores and businesses that a North Lakeland resident might need are located beyond the borders of the neighborhood, your primary method of travel will be personal automobile. Interstate 5 borders Lakeland North on one side, while Highway 167 can also be found nearby.

No major public transportation options exist in Lakeland North, though commuter bus lines from the Sea-Tac airport pass through nearby Kent. While you cannot hail a taxi cab in the area and ride-share programs such as Uber do not cover the neighborhood, it’s still possible to call one of several taxi services to arrange a pickup. Expect limited on-street parking, but ample parking for the customers of most businesses.

This neighborhood relies heavily on personal automobiles and as such walking is not feasible, and little to no biking infrastructure exists.

Near the borders of Lakeland North, Lake Fenwick Park in Kent provides fishing, a boat launch, picnic areas, grills, walking and jogging trails, a disc golf course and parking at three entrances, making it a great location for the whole family to enjoy, including kids, exercise enthusiasts and canine family members.

West Heylebos Wetlands Park incorporates 120 acres of wetland with a large trail network. Pets and bikes may not enter the park or use the boardwalk.

For a large open space, head to Brannan Park in nearby Auburn. This park also attracts exercise enthusiasts, as it features a sports complex that includes a baseball complex, basketball court, playground, soccer field, open play fields, paved trail for walking or jogging and skate park, as well as restrooms, a concession stand, picnic tables and grills, and a scenic location adjacent to the Green River Trail. Remember to observe the pet policies of each park and be sure to keep your pets on a leash except for specially marked areas.

The cost of living in Lakeland North sits nearly 20 percent above the Washington state average. The median rental cost of a typical one-bedroom apartment will set you back about $1,300, while the average cost for a pint of beer sits at just over $8.50. The cost of travel from neighboring Kent to the Seattle city center is around $3 for a one-way ticket, while the price per gallon of gasoline is about 3 percent higher than the national average.

Primarily a residential area, the shopping options within the neighborhood itself are far from notable. Fortunately, a quick hop across the border leads you to several unique stores nearby in Auburn located on Admiral Way.

Head to Kent Station, located at 2nd Ave North and West Smith Street, for a shopping mall with many store options, a few restaurants and a movie theatre, all with plenty of parking. For a great deal on some of the top brands, try The Outlet Collection at 11010 Outlet Collection Way in Auburn. While you’re shopping, set the kids free to enjoy the small rides and play area, then take advantage of plenty of eateries and notable brand stores including Nordstrom Rack and Old Navy. For a taste of Japan in the Pacific Northwest, look no further than Daiso. This Japanese dollar store carries Japanese brand-name snacks, stationary, kitchen items, bath items and other curiosities. Find it located in The Commons at Federal Way.

As with most amenities, find several grocery store options located just outside the borders of the neighborhood at Federal Way. Trader Joe’s provides a great assortment of store brand goods for all of your grocery needs, while Safeway carries brand-name as well as store-brand goods.

There are no farmers' markets located in Lakeland North, but Federal Way once again offers an option with a market carrying a variety of local produce and other locally grown and created goods. From November through the winter until May, the market moves indoors to avoid inclement weather.