University Place, WA

In the 1800s, the University of Puget Sound planned to build a new campus in what is now University Place. The plan was scrapped but the name stuck. University Place became a city in 1995.

The Washington State History Museum and the Chihuly Bridge of Glass, located in Tacoma, are worth a trip. If you have kids, an outing to the Port Defiance Zoo and Aquarium is a must, especially to see the polar bears. The Tacoma Art Museum showcases art created by artists from the Northwest.

Check out the Tacoma Greek festival and the Craft Beer festival held every year. If you are a foodie, then the Taste of Tacoma, a free festival held in the summer, will be a party for your taste buds.

A summer concert series takes place at the Curran Apple Orchard in University Place, also famous for its cider squeeze.

A nice mix of chain restaurants, coffee shops and authentic cuisines from around the world keeps the food scene at University Place exciting and varied.

If you have a craving for Greek food, hop into Gyro Zone for some great service and tasty food. Try the chicken or lamb shwarma, gyros, falafel or dolmas. The yogurt-dipped, feta-and-herb-encrusted Greek fries will keep you coming back for more. Don't forget to try the hummus and finish off with the delectable baklava for dessert.

For the best Mexican cuisine in the area, Taqueria El Antojo is the place to go. The restaurant is open late and has a bar with Mexican beers on tap. Try the fried pork tacos, enchiladas or fajitas in endless combinations. For a value meal, try the pollo with rice, beans and tortillas. Also load up on the free chips and homemade salsa. Open for breakfast on weekends, with Mexican and American fare, this place delivers great value for any meal.

Fresh Rolls serves up quick and tasty rolls and salads with a Vietnamese touch. Try the chicken noodle salad and salmon spring rolls. Wash it down with some hibiscus tea and rainbow jelly. Order ahead to miss the lunch crowd.

Lefty's Burger Shack does not have any indoor seating but dishes up amazing burgers and fries with fry sauce for an additional cost. Order the "frings" if you can't decide between the fries and the onion rings. Also try the fried pickles and milkshakes.

With a bowling alley, arcade games, good food and a DJ, what's not to love about Narrows Plaza Bowl and Entertainment Center. It's a great place for a fun night out with the family or game night with bowling buddies. It also boasts a good beer selection.

At the UP Station Bar and Grill, which is a regular hangout for locals, every night is karaoke night.

Most of the residents drive their own cars to work or carpool with neighbors, colleagues and friends. Residents also use taxis or Uber to commute. Bikers use shared lanes and designated bicycle lanes useful to get to major centers and tourist attractions.

Airports, ferries and buses serve the city of Tacoma. Flights to several international destinations take off from the Sea-Tac International Airport, which is a 30-minute drive to the north of University Place.

Pierce Transit buses serve this area. It takes 15 minutes to cover the 8 miles between University Place and Tacoma and the trip to Seattle takes an hour and a half.

Park-and-ride facilities at the Tacoma Community College are easily accessible from University Place. Narrows park-and-ride is also a nearby option. Free parking is available in most parts of the city. University Place easily connects to Interstate 5 and Interstate 705.

With a smattering of 17 parks, University Place caters to every need and every age group. One park is run by the Audubon society, another one offers a great view of Mount Rainier and another one with an apple orchard.

A great park with soccer fields, ball fields, skate park and trails, the Bridgeport/Cirque Park has a picnic shelter for rent. Centrally located in the city, with over 27 acres, the park is a great place for kids, families or simply a solitary walk down the trails. The snow-capped Mount Rainier is visible from this park.

Another great option for kids, Sunset Terrace Park includes a playground, ball field and picnic shelter.

Nestled between the Leach and Chamber Creeks, Kobayashi Park is home to evergreens and has a picnic table. It's okay to take your pooch with you, and the park even provides doggy bags.

The Curran Apple Orchard, with 200 apple trees, encourages educational programs and also hosts the annual cider squeeze with old-fashioned cider presses. You can pick apples, indulge in some apple pie and ice cream and enjoy some great music along with kids activities.

The cost of living in University place is lower than the cost of living in Seattle and equal to the cost of living index of Washington state. The cost of living in Seattle is 23.9 percent higher than the Washington average and 38.4 percent higher than the national average. The median rent of a one bedroom apartment is $800 and a glass of beer costs $3.50.

A bus ride to Tacoma from University Place costs $2.00 and a trip to Seattle is $3.50.

Gas prices in University Place are 3 percent lower than the national average.

A few chain grocery stores and department stores serve this neighborhood. Tacoma Mall, an indoor shopping center with over 150 stores, also serves University Place. Located parallel to Interstate 5, this mall has a food court and several dining options, including BJ's Brewhouse, Blazing Onion and D'lara.

D'amicos Boutique, located in University Place, sells eye-catching handbags and stylish clothes at reasonable prices. Drop in to Satori for an impeccable selection of clothes and shoes in a range of sizes and prices. This unique women's clothing boutique constantly rotates its merchandise to bring customers the trendiest collections at unbeatable prices.

A haven for snowboarders and skateboarders alike, Northwest Snowboards on Bridgeport Way West in Tacoma carries new boards and waxes old ones. While here, you can also shop for brand-name clothes and shoes for the slopes or for everyday wear.

Harbor Greens Grocery has good deli and wine selections along with organic and local produce. Trader Joe's, Safeway and Fred Meyer stand as other grocery options. Find the closest farmers located in South Tacoma, which opens during the summer and fall at the STAR Center.