EASTSIDE

Perimeter

East of Pacific Avenue, west of Swan Creek, south of I-5, north of S. 72nd—these guides describe the perimeter of Tacoma’s Eastside, but getting to the heart of it requires stepping inside. If you do venture in, what might you find?

McKinley Neighborhood

Let us direct you to McKinley, a neighborhood and business district at the north end of the Eastside. It’s a place we cross the city to hang out in. Head there for shrimp tacos at the Top of Tacoma, for tots and burgers at Dusty’s Hideaway, for books and locally-created goods at Parable, for a cup of coffee and a pastry at Beware or LUX. Wander into Mottet, the library-of-many-bricks (one can identify the expansions from the sidewalk by noticing where the bricks change on the exterior of this nice building). Stop by Eloise’s Cooking Pot for help with groceries when funds are tight or to volunteer. Stanley & Seaforts is a favorite Tacoma happy hour spot famous for its views out over downtown and the port.

Community

The Eastside is more than McKinley, of course. It’s also Salishan, a thoughtfully planned affordable housing community with parks, trails, and services. It’s the Eastside Community Center, an important hub for all ages with an indoor pool, cooking classes, dance, martial arts, before and after school programs, and annual events like the Dia de los Muertos festival. It’s Swan Creek Park, a 373-acre area with a salmon-bearing stream, off-leash dog park, wooded trails for hiking and mountain-biking, picnic shelters, a community garden, and more.

Importantly, Tacoma’s Eastside neighborhood overlaps with the Puyallup Tribal Reservation. Tacoma, not just the Eastside, is located on the homelands of the Puyallup People of the Coast Salish Nation. Being in this neighborhood is just one of many opportunities to reckon with land use, communication between cultures, history, justice, and relationship with a living people.

Top of Tacoma is a nearly perfect neighborhood bar. They offer delicious, eclectic food and have a very friendly, responsive staff.

Top of Tacoma is a nearly perfect neighborhood bar. They offer delicious, eclectic food, patio seating, and the good, dark bar vibes inside.

Make sure to visit the Tacoma is Home mural on the side of LUX Coffee on McKinley. Created by Joseph Brooks Art and Ricky Loves Painting with lots of community collaboration. Yes, they let us paint!

Metro Parks maintains a wide variety of places for people to spend time outside on the Eastside like the Verlo Playfield and Sprayground right off McKinley.

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HOUSING

The Eastside offers relatively affordable housing compared with much of Tacoma. A wide variety in architectural styles—from solid brick homes to classic Craftsmans and modest post-war houses— keeps the neighborhoods visually interesting. Tacoma Housing Authority manages Salishan, a vital affordable housing community with parks and services.

Hi, I'm Michael Duggan, a licensed broker with Windermere Abode. I would love to help you through the home buying or selling process. Please contact me to set up a meeting and get things started.