Small Town Living Close to the City: My Top 5 Favorite Things About Living in Orting, WA

When I found out I was first pregnant a little over 3 years ago, I knew I wanted a quieter home life for my children. Tacoma was wonderful with nightlife, restaurants, and things to do, but I wanted my daughter to be able to grow up playing outside and having her neighbors know her name. A lot of families are looking for this while still being able to commute to work, enjoy a night out on the town, and not have to sit in traffic for hours in order to do so.

My husband and I have bought and sold 4 homes in the last 4 years, and each time we got settled, we were already looking to move again. But we finally found a place with everything we had been looking for! My family and I now live in Orting, WA and it is the first place where we have lived where I feel confident that it is truly “home.” Orting is the first community that I have felt is my home and where my family and I can build a life and raise our children.

Here are just a few of my favorite things about living in Orting, Washington:

1. Orting offers the best of both worlds: Small-town living and easy access to “big city” amenities.

We love feeling like we live in a small, close-knit community while also having ease of access to freeways, work, and entertainment. We have the best of both worlds and I wouldn’t change that! Small-town living does not have to mean you are in the middle of nowhere with nothing to do. You do not have to travel hours outside of the city to find local farms, back road trails, and mom and pop shops. Small town living can be right around the corner and can change everything.

2. We love the “mom and pop” restaurants in Orting!

We’ve found many locally owned restaurants that we love to frequent. Route 66 Pizza is one of our favorites—here you can enjoy a one-of-a-kind pizza on the patio right next to the town’s park. Another place we love to visit is Lil’ J’s Java coffee stand; every single time I drive through, my daughter is greeted with the biggest smile and her own “special drink”!

3. Running errands or just getting out and about is easy; everything is within reach.

There is a small strip in town where you’ll find all of your restaurants, the grocery store, and entertainment. It’s all at your fingertips!

4. There are plenty of beautiful outdoor spaces to enjoy.

We love all of the local trails and the welcoming parks here. When I take my children to the park in town, I see the same faces regularly with the same friendly children who are excited to play with my girls. It’s also fun to see bikers and runners out on the trails everyday, rain or shine!

5. Orting has a welcoming sense of community.

When I walk outside my front door, I have at least 3 friendly neighbors who are waving to my family by the time I reach my car doors. My experience here has been that there is a friendly and close-knit community awaiting on every block.

Do you have a question about moving to Orting, Washington? REALTOR® Ashley Mills is happy to chat! You can call/text Ashley at (425) 221-1919, email her at ashleymills@windermere.com, or contact her here.