A two-county city near Seattle that feels like a small town
Like many Washington cities, Milton was once a contributor to the local lumber industry. In the late nineteenth century, it was even known as Mill Town before the name was ultimately passed over in favor of naming the city after poet John Milton. And although its pursuits in the lumber industry have significantly dwindled in the years since, Milton remains a bedroom community with small-town comforts and suburban convenience. As part of King and Pierce counties, it has a population of over 8,500 residents. "Milton is considered a city, but it's small," says Corey Lofton, a broker with the Washington Real Estate Team with Kelly Right Real Estate. Lofton, who also has experience in the mortgage industry, says it's a place that misses the radar of many homebuyers. "You can get tons of property in terms of lot size, very nice homes for a reasonable price and still be close to the freeway. It's kind of midpoint between Tacoma and Seattle."
Milton is full of traditional style homes.
Farmland is never far away in the Milton Neighborhood.
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Green spaces like Milton Community Park, events
Milton has green spaces that provide a place to relax and connect with friends, family and neighbors. It has a skate park and various parks and playgrounds within city limits. There’s even a lake known by locals as “Surprise Lake” which was a hidden gem until recently when trails were established. Milton Community Park is known for its gazebo and fuchsia garden, large play area, athletic courts, and shaded picnic areas.
Person enjoying community garden at Brookville Gardens Park.
Sit on shores of Five Mile Lake and watch the ducks swim at Five Mile Lake Park.
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Milton's annual events and festivals
The city’s local events demonstrate its commitment to preserving the community. Every August, the Milton Days Festival is held, which celebrates the city's 1907 incorporation with a parade, vendors and a beer garden. Other events in Milton include a craft bazaar in October and the Santa Parade in December.
Milton embodies the spirit of peace and quiet in this rural neighborhood.
Five Mile Lake Park is a great place to spend the afternoon.
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Retail on Milton Way, Meridian and 28th avenues
A concentration of retail is found in east Milton, along Milton Way, Meridian Avenue and 28th Avenue. The combination of locally owned shops, big box stores, small businesses and nationally known restaurants provides most essentials. The Mill Steakhouse & Spirits, for an example, is an upscale bistro that hosts live music, theme nights and drag shows. For more options, shoppers might head to the nearby cities of Edgewood or Fife.
Safeway is the neighborhood grocery store.
Daves of Milton offers food and adult beverages in a friendly environment.
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Milton's contemporary housing on sizable lots
Residential areas feature a mix of constructions in the 20th century, which include duplex-style townhomes and single-family Craftsman homes. "Properties with a quarter-acre of land are common. Some have up to an acre," Lofton says. "You can get a house on a large lot for $650,000 — a very nice house." The median price of a home is $597,000 and a property typically spends 41 days on the market, which roughly mirrors the national average.
Beautiful Craftsman home in the Milton Neighborhood.
Stunning split-level home with perfect front yard in the Milton Neighborhood.
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Milton's public education system
Public schools are in the highly rated Fife School District, which serves nearly 4,000 students and earns a B-grade from Niche.
Surprise Lake Middle School serves 6-8 graders in Milton.
Fife High School serves grades 9-12 in Milton.
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Pierce Transit buses, light rail and I-5
Pierce Transit bus stops are found along the major streets with Bus Route 501 providing rides from Federal Way to Milton. Light rail is available from the Tacoma Dome Station, and Amtrak has a presence there as well. Those who drive might use Park & Rides at Tacoma Dome Station, Federal Way Transit Center and Federal Way. Interstate 5 runs through west Milton, and the trip to Tacoma is about 9 miles west, passing by the Port of Tacoma. It's about a 30-mile drive north to reach Seattle. Sea-Tac, Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, is located around the midway point.
Environmental factors and crime trends for Milton
The environmental reports for Milton homeowners include moderate wildfire and heat risks as well as a severe air quality risk, according to First Street. Crime activity experienced a generally positive trend from 2022 to 2023. Data from the Milton Police Department submitted to the FBI, there was a 33% decrease in violent crime and a slight increase in property crime.
Additional Writing by Robin Silberman
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