What to Know Before Moving to Central or South Kitsap County

If you’re looking to move somewhere with a little bit of everything: city amenities, suburban neighborhoods, beaches, forests, and even acres of land for sale, look no further than Central or South Kitsap County. This area includes Silverdale, Bremerton, and Port Orchard.

Windermere real estate agent Rebecca Johnson summarizes it perfectly, “Once you arrive in Kitsap County, you’ll never want to leave! From fantastic restaurants and small businesses to state-of-the-art medical care, top-notch beaches, and hiking, everything you need is within a 30-minute drive!”

Kitsap County is a large geographic area in Western Washington that borders Puget Sound. Due to the expansive area, portions of the county are referred to as North, Central, or South Kitsap. We’ve compiled some helpful information focusing on what Central and South Kitsap provide.

The real estate market is strong and varied

In Central and South Kitsap County, you’ll find many single-family homes for sale, as well as condos, waterfront properties, manufactured homes, and more. There are also many new builds, and we’ve seen a steady increase in people moving here from the Seattle area. Our Windermere Silverdale office has a team of experts ready to help you navigate the market. As the spring market heats up, we expect to see more multiple offer situations. So, if you’re thinking of buying this spring or summer, we recommend speaking to a local Realtor right away. Because our area has a range of properties, you want to work with someone who knows our market well, and can speak to the history and nuances of certain neighborhoods.

The cost of living is lower

The cost of living in Central or South Kitsap County is generally more affordable than surrounding areas. Check out the most recent quarterly market data to learn about home sales in Kitsap County. Also, while the property tax rate for Port Orchard, Bremerton and Silverdale vary by city, they all have rates at or below the state’s median property tax rate of 0.88%.

Enjoy the ferries to Seattle

There is a ferry to Seattle from Bremerton and the crossing time is 60 minutes. Another option is the Kitsap Fast Ferry. This is a passenger-only ferry (vs. the large WA State Ferries, which you can drive onto). The Fast Ferry gets Bremerton commuters to Seattle in 30 minutes or less. Additionally, the Port Orchard Fast Ferry takes passengers to Bremerton in 12 minutes.

Be sure to check all ferry schedules for updates. You can download the WSDOT app (or follow them on social media). Additionally, you can subscribe to Fast Ferry alerts. Ferries can be impacted by weather, maintenance, and unforeseen circumstances so it’s important to stay in the loop if you plan on using them to get to work.

We have a strong military presence

Naval Base Kitsap greatly contributes to our community’s military presence. Encompassing over 12,000 acres across the Kitsap Peninsula between two sites, it houses the country’s third largest fleet concentration. Their presence means there is a strong civilian and military workforce, as well as military-related resources.

If you or your spouse are in the military and are going to be stationed here soon, check out our Military Resources page. You’ll find everything from in-depth school information to VA loan resources.

We have many great schools

Central Kitsap School District primarily serves students and families in Silverdale and portions of Bremerton. South Kitsap School District primarily serves students in Port Orchard, as well as some portions of Bremerton. Both school districts serve students from elementary to high school and offer a wide variety of services.

There are also private school options in all three cities, as well as different preschools and daycares.

There are many fun things to do here

Compared to North Kitsap County, Central and South Kitsap County tend to have a more active nightlife. These areas are also relatively close to other towns such as Gig Harbor and Tacoma, and the ferry makes Seattle just a boat-ride away from big concerts, Seahawks games, and more. We have big box stores like Costco, Trader Joe’s, and Target. There are also large shopping centers with well-known retailers in the Kitsap Mall and The Trails at Silverdale.

Bremerton and Port Orchard also have downtown waterfronts to explore. The Port Orchard waterfront has restaurants, playgrounds, and small shops. They also host a series of annual events downtown, such as the upcoming Ladies Night Out on April 25th.

Downtown Bremerton and its waterfront is also expanding. The city has a strong arts scene, with special event venues like the Admiral Theatre and the Roxy Theatre. There is also a wealth of information on the city’s website to explore local activities, including an events calendar. The annual Blackberry Festival is a huge event every summer that attracts locals and visitors alike.

Windermere Broker/Realtor Mark Plastina has lived here since he was fourteen and raves about the proximity to different activities. “The location is centralized to anything I need…If I feel the need for a relaxing afternoon, I go to Poulsbo. If I feel that need to see friends and play softball, I go to west Bremerton or Port Orchard. It doesn’t take a lot of time to get to places.”

Outdoor activities are endless

No matter which part of Kitsap County you are in, you are able to do all kinds of outdoor activities. Popular hiking trails include the Illahee Preserve and Dickerson Creek Falls in Bremerton. Banner Forest Heritage Park in Port Orchard is also wonderful and Clear Creek Trail in Silverdale offers over 7 miles of trails – a beautiful break from the city.

Golfers can enjoy places like Gold Mountain Golf Club in Bremerton or Trophy Lake Golf & Casting in Port Orchard. Mountain bikers and horseback riders can share the trails at Ueland Tree Farm and Newberry Hill Heritage Park. The opportunities are truly endless.

If you prefer to be on the water, grab a kayak or paddle board and follow the Kitsap Peninsula National Water Trails map for scenic views. There are also local boat rentals out of the Bremerton and Port Orchard marinas for sightseeing or fishing. Additionally, we have local lakes scattered around Central and South Kitsap that are good for fishing, swimming or picnicking in the summertime.

If you’re looking for an overall lower cost of living while still staying near big-city amenities, then Port Orchard, Bremerton and Silverdale are great options. Though we may be biased, we invite you to explore our area. We think you’ll discover it’s an incredible place to live.