Puyallup, WA

Located in the valley just east of Tacoma with clear views of Mount Rainier, Puyallup balances its farming heritage with easy access to the rest of the Puget Sound region. Named after the Puyallup Tribe, the town originally grew around railroads, berry farms, and flower bulb fields. Even as modern subdivisions and commercial areas have grown, that valley feel and agricultural background stay front and center. Most people throughout Washington know the city as home to the massive Washington State Fair, which brings crowds to town every September for rides, concerts, and famous fair scones.

ATTRStatue: Alonzo Victor Lewis. Photo: not known. There is no copyright notice on the bulletin (undated, but as it refers to Meeker as alive, must be 1926 to 1928). The statue was not copyrighted, see here / Public domain

The fairgrounds also hold significant local history, including a somber chapter during World War II when the site was used as a temporary detention center, known as Camp Harmony, for thousands of Japanese Americans. Today, the city balances preserving its history with serving modern commuters. If you work in Seattle or Tacoma, commuting from Puyallup is relatively painless thanks to the Sounder commuter train, which stops right downtown and lets you skip the regional freeway traffic entirely.

ATTRJoe Mabel / CC BY 3.0

When moving here, you will notice the city naturally splits into two main sections: the valley floor and South Hill. Historic downtown down in the valley is walkable and quiet, filled with local coffee shops, antique stores, and neighborhood restaurants. South Hill sits uphill to the south, housing larger suburban neighborhoods, big-box retail, a shopping mall, and plenty of dining options along Meridian Avenue. You will also find MultiCare Good Samaritan Hospital just east of downtown, providing comprehensive medical care and serving as one of the area's major employers.

ATTRJoe Mabel / CC BY 3.0

Downtown activity centers on Pioneer Park, a green space right next to the Puyallup Public Library and the community pavilion. On summer Saturdays, the Puyallup Farmers Market fills the park with fresh berries, flowers, and local food vendors. Every June, the city hosts Meeker Days, shutting down several downtown streets for an outdoor festival with live music and craft booths. Having the library, parks, train station, and local dining gathered in a compact downtown makes settling into the community feel effortless.