Lakewood Living
RM Home Specialists • September 8, 2023

Why we love Lakewood...

I Love Lakewood! Why would you want to live here? For starters, this community offers more bang for the buck! Here is my very personal journey with Lakewood: 

 

It was 1992 when we sold our North Tacoma home, near University of Puget Sound to move to a sweet home in Lakewood. Our family was in a time of transition, I was pregnant with Madison, and we chose Lakewood because we could afford a larger home and there was something special about the community and proximity to the lakes.  I didn’t know much about Lakewood at the time, and it looks a little different now than it did then. The home we ended up buying needed a little love, but it also conveyed with a small piece of Lakefront at Lk. Steilacoom just down the street. I loved walking the neighborhood, and shortly after moving in I would take the stroller around the tree-lined neighborhood streets, over to the library and Lakewood Town Center. 

 

Thirty years had passed before we recently moved back to Lakewood! This time we chose a unique home on Chambers Creek. It was time to sell our family house in University Place and this next home was to represent our empty nester chapter. This home also needed a fair share of updating but it was features such as the peaceful creekfront, killer wine cellar, and many different spaces to entertain that had excited to move yet again. 

 

My husband grew up in Lakewood and had roots as a Clover Park graduate. It's been fun revisiting some of the classic spots and new businesses. Our favorite places are: H&L Produce–a specialty farmers market store, Adriatic Grill at Oakbrook–a non-chain owned restaurant with a wonderful golf-course backdrop, L&L Hawaiian BBQ–a spam musubi and some Kahlua Pork cures the soul, Tuladhara Yoga–curated yoga studio with various classes. One of our all-time favorite spots, Pizza Casa in Tillicum, has been missed. They closed after 65 years, but the space welcomes a new generation of Pizza, Puget Sound Pizza. 

 

Here are my top 5 reasons to live in Lakewood:

  1. Lakes: Public Access, Friends with Boats (you know who you are), and have paddleboard will travel.
  2. Shopping: Lots of grocery options and specialty ethnic grocery stores.
  3. Golf: One of the oldest and most prestigious Country Clubs west of the Mississippi – Tacoma Golf and Country and Oakbrook’s Public Course.
  4. Parks: Ft. Steilacoom Park, Chambers Bay Trail Hike, American Lake Park, Kobayashi Park, Edgewater Park.
  5. Space: Lots are bigger in most places, there are plenty of trees and we are close to amenities and freeway access.

 

If you have any questions or want to explore what Lakewood has to offer with neighborhoods, housing, or things to do – consider us a valuable resource. Email or call me at Regina@Windermere.com or 253-381-6685.

From a Full House to Full Hearts

By RM Home Specialists • March 31, 2025
Embracing the Next Chapter: Finding Joy in a Quieter Home For 19 years, our home was filled with the joyful chaos of raising twin daughters. From school activities to teenage drama, from meals squeezed in between their packed schedules to late-night chats, our lives revolved around them. And now? The house is quieter. Our daughters are off at Oregon State University, starting their next chapter, and my husband Mike and I find ourselves in a phase of life that feels both unfamiliar and exciting. I know many people call this "empty nesting," but that phrase has never quite resonated with me. It makes it sound like something is missing when in reality, this is an opportunity to rediscover ourselves and each other. Reconnecting and Rediscovering With fewer schedules to juggle and less noise in the house, Mike and I have found more time to focus on things we enjoy—together. We've started taking dance lessons , learning salsa, and swing, and stepping (sometimes literally) outside our comfort zones. We joined HOTWORX gym, prioritizing our health in ways we never quite had time for before. And, perhaps best of all, we've been going out to dinner more, savoring uninterrupted conversations and rediscovering the ease of just enjoying each other's company. It feels like we’re dating again, but we have 24 years (almost 25!) of shared experiences behind us. There’s something special about laughing over dinner, challenging each other in a workout, or stumbling through a new dance move together. It’s a reminder that this next phase isn’t about loss—it’s about growth. Breathing Easier Of course, we still miss our girls, and there were emotional moments when we first dropped them off at college. But seeing them adjust, make friends, and embrace their new independence has given us peace of mind. When they’re thriving, it makes it easier for us to embrace this new season in our lives. So, instead of calling this "empty nesting," I see it as an opportunity—a time to reflect, recharge, and rekindle. Life isn't slowing down; it’s just shifting, and we’re learning to dance right along with it. -Kressent Kressent Marston RM Home Specialists | Realtor® Windermere West Campus

New Favorites in Tacoma

By RM Home Specialists • March 5, 2025
One of the things I love most about Tacoma is how it’s constantly evolving—new businesses, fresh ideas, and more amazing spots to explore. Watching this city grow is so exciting!

The Ultimate Guide to New Construction

By RM Home Specialists • February 11, 2025
As a site agent for Soundbuilt Homes, I understand the new construction process and what buyers should consider when making such a major investment. Since 1980, Soundbuilt Homes has built a reputation for quality craftsmanship, thoughtful design, and customer satisfaction. If you’re considering purchasing a new construction home, here’s what to keep in mind...
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