This area has experienced fairly recent growth that has brought many new homes; those built on the foothills have wonderful views of the valley. Older homes are available in the downtown area. Chamber of Commerce: (253) 833-0700. www.auburnareawa.org

South of Tacoma, DuPont is a picturesque example of a company town with orderly homes, front porches and alleys around a town green space. Northwest Landing is a planned community surrounding the town, with new single family homes, condominiums and community codes for consistent architecture and maintenance.

Ten miles north of Tacoma, Federal Way is a suburban area with single family residences and large apartment and condominium complexes. Some homes border small lakes- others border Puget Sound. Chamber of Commerce (253) 927-2556 www.federalwaychamber.com

Fife

Just north of Tacoma, there are a few older homes in the downtown area. Newer houses are readily available on the surrounding hills. Chamber of Commerce: (253) 922-9320 www.fifechamber.org

In quiet neighborhoods you'll find single story dwellings, post-war ramblers and split level homes

Milton

Older, small town homes and some newer developments are found here.

This area is located southeast of Tacoma, in Lakewood. It is characterized by large developments of single family homes and some newer maintained condominium-style communities.

Older, family neighborhoods with convenient access to shopping, jobs and military bases blend with older apartments and duplexes.

Family neighborhoods with older and newer homes are found here, as well as apartments and condominiums.

In this area you will find suburban, low- density subdivisions, often on wooded lots with privacy from each other.