Northeast Tacoma - Tacoma, WA Area Guide

Neighboring Browns Point was lit up for the safety of ships in 1887, and it was first manned as a lighthouse in 1903. For 30 years the lights and bells were manually operated to guide ships and sound warnings during foggy weather. The land to the south was uninhabited.

With the expansion of Tacoma, Northeast Tacoma was developed as a residential area, and most of its construction was done between the 1960s and the 1990s. The area is in the process of making its own history.

NET residents can get a full dose of culture at the Museum of Glass, the Tacoma Art Museum and the Washington State History Museum in the downtown area. Greater Tacoma welcomes residents of all neighborhoods to seasonal events, such as the Wintergrass bluegrass festival, the Spring Daffodil parade and the Summer Tacoma Highland Games.

Northeast Tacoma may not be known as a mecca for foodies, but it has a few spots for good eats along Northshore Parkway and scattered throughout the neighborhood.

Sitting on a bluff overlooking Commencement Bay and the City of Tacoma, Cliff House restaurant seats its guests to enjoy stunning views of the bay and Mount Rainer in the distance. Then there's the food. The crab and artichoke dip come highly recommended as a starter, and for a main dish, you can't go wrong with the slow-roasted prime rib served with horseradish sauce or the crab cakes with wild rice and sautéed vegetables. If you stop in on Wednesday or Sunday evenings, you'll be treated to live music, and if you hit one of the daily happy hours, you can enjoy a selection of bar bites, including $3.50 gourmet sliders and $4 well drinks and micro brews.

Kitchen 2 Kitchen puts a unique spin on take-out foods. Chefs at the kitchen do the cooking for you based on your family requirements. You take home the prepared foods, add side dishes, present your family with homemade meals and enjoy saving precious time. With meal packages that may include Thai coconut chicken, Tuscan sausage and bean soup and lean meatloaf, you can feed six meals to a family of up to six for $99.

The NET may not be where all the action is, but it's not far away from it. The best of Seattle and Tacoma's clubs, pubs, and concerts are only a short drive away from this tranquil neighborhood.

You'll need a vehicle to get around in Northeast Tacoma. If you happen to live close to one of the few pockets of commerce, you can run your errands on foot, but most residents drive.

Pierce Transit operates limited bus service through the area. You can ride the bus to downtown Tacoma and transfer there for travel to other areas within the city.

It's easy to hop on I-5 from Northeast Tacoma, so if you hold a job in Seattle, your commute will only be about 35 minutes in reasonable traffic. To save costs and reduce your carbon footprint, check out the Tacoma rideshare options.

If you're heading downtown for a night of drinks with friends, you can make a reservation and have King Cab drive the gang home. Or if you're flying out for an exotic holiday in the sun, use your app and book a ride with Uber for the drive to Sea-Tac.

The area has only a few designated bike lanes, but there are some bike-friendly roads including a route that goes out to Dash Point State Park.

Bordered by the waters of Commencement Bay and Puget Sound, this district enjoys stunning water views and the convenience of beach access at various points along the shoreline. Residents also enjoy a centrally located city park and a neighboring state park.

Alderwood Park, one of Tacoma's Metro Parks, covers nearly seven acres at the geographical center of Northeast Tacoma. This peaceful green space provides tables for picnics, trails for walks and jogs and playground equipment for climbing, sliding and swinging. Dogs are welcome, but only on-leash.

Dash Point State Park borders the neighborhood at its northeast corner. This well-treed 400-acre gem draws visitors for camping, hiking, and water recreation. Miles of trails are available for hikers, cyclists, and dog-walkers. More than 3,000 feet of shoreline and sandy beaches that go way out at high-tide make beach exploration fun for kids and adults. Vehicle access to the park costs $10 for a one-day pass, and camping rates range from $17 per night for a standard campsite in the winter season to $42 for a full-utility campsite in the peak summer season.

Tacoma's cost of living equals the Washington State average. The cost of living in the Northeast Tacoma neighborhood comes in about 15 percent higher than the city average. If you're looking to rent a one-bedroom apartment in this area, you can expect an average monthly rate of about $900.

Incidental daily expenses are reasonably priced and won't hurt your wallet. A trip to downtown Tacoma costs $2 on a Pierce Transit bus, and a beer raised in celebration of a Seahawks win costs around $5.

Expect to put out about 11 percent more than the national average when you pay at the pump for gas.

Only a few businesses have set up shop in this young neighborhood, and several of those can be found in the Northshore Parkway area.

If you have more than a few dollars to spend on a muscle suit for a special occasion costume or a theatrical presentation for business or for fun, Flex Design Costumes can pump you up. These realistic-looking suits have garnered the attention of Hollywood directors, film producers and the superhero community.

In central Northeast Tacoma, QFC is the neighborhood supermarket. Open 24 hours a day and complete with Redbox movie kiosks, QFC serves the district well. Tacoma Farmers' Markets provide fresh produce at three locations from May to October.