Gig Harbor's housing stock reflects its waterfront setting and wooded topography. Options range from waterfront and view homes along the harbor, Wollochet Bay, and Henderson Bay to established neighborhoods, condominiums, and wooded acreage among Douglas firs. Areas such as Rosedale and Artondale offer a mix of older and newer single-family homes, while Purdy provides a quieter, coastal feel along Burley Lagoon. The market serves a broad range, from low-maintenance condos to custom waterfront estates, with country acreage available on the city's fringes.

Gig Harbor's neighborhoods cluster around the harbor and spread into wooded hills. Artondale and Rosedale are established residential areas offering a mix of homes and everyday convenience, while Gig Harbor North includes newer development and retail. Wollochet Bay and Henderson Bay provide shoreline and view settings, and Purdy, near Burley Lagoon, offers a tranquil, wooded coastal lifestyle. The historic downtown waterfront anchors the city with marinas, shops, and restaurants, giving residents a range of settings from walkable village to forested acreage.

Gig Harbor offers a maritime, small-town lifestyle built around the water. The historic downtown waterfront is lined with seafood restaurants, casual eateries, shops, and marinas, where residents and visitors gather for harbor views and waterfront dining. Boating, sailing, and fishing are woven into daily life, and the city's maritime heritage is celebrated through its working waterfront and community events. The compact, walkable downtown contrasts with the wooded hills and quiet shoreline neighborhoods that surround it, creating a relaxed Pacific Northwest rhythm within reach of Tacoma and Seattle.

Gig Harbor is served by the Peninsula School District, the main district for the city and the unincorporated areas of the Gig Harbor and Key peninsulas. The district operates about 17 schools enrolling roughly 9,000 students across 120 square miles. Its campuses include several elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools serving the peninsula communities. The district's reputation and small-school settings are a draw for families, and additional private and educational options are available across Pierce and Kitsap counties.

Gig Harbor sits across the Tacoma Narrows from Tacoma, reached by the State Route 16 bridge, which is tolled eastbound toward Tacoma. From there, Interstate 5 connects north to Seattle and south toward Olympia. Commuter bus routes link Gig Harbor and Purdy to Tacoma Community College and downtown Seattle, providing transit alternatives to the bridge crossing. The drive to Seattle follows the Narrows Bridge and I-5, while the Kitsap Peninsula and Olympic Peninsula lie to the west, making the city a gateway for both commuters and recreational travelers.

Water access defines recreation in Gig Harbor, with boating, sailing, kayaking, and fishing centered on the harbor and surrounding Puget Sound. Kopachuck State Park, about five miles west of the city, offers beach access, trails, and picnic areas with views of the water. Local waterfront parks, marinas, and trails add everyday outdoor options, and the nearby Key Peninsula and Olympic Peninsula provide hiking, camping, and shoreline exploration. Mount Rainier National Park sits within reach to the southeast, rounding out a landscape rich in outdoor opportunity.