Looking for a new place to call home in Lakewood, Washington? Edgewood Apartments sits in the heart of the Central Lakes neighborhood. It offers 1 and 2 bedroom rentals for renters who want comfort, convenience, and easy access to everything the South Sound has to offer. Are you relocating for work at Joint Base Lewis-McChord? Starting a new chapter near the VA hospital? Simply searching for a quieter pace of life outside Tacoma? Either way, this community is worth a closer look.
I’ve toured and researched rental communities across Pierce County for years. Lakewood consistently stands out for its balance of affordability and access to nature. Edgewood Apartments fits right into that pattern. Below, you’ll find everything you need to know before scheduling a tour. That includes floor plans, neighborhood highlights, and answers to the most common questions renters ask.
Why Renters Choose Lakewood, WA
Lakewood sits about 10 miles south of Tacoma. It’s roughly 40 miles south of Seattle. That location makes it an appealing option for commuters who want space and quiet without giving up access to bigger cities. The area is known for its lakes, and Central Lakes lives up to its name. Lake Louise, Waughop Lake, and Steilacoom Lake all sit within the neighborhood. American Lake borders it to the south.
For outdoor lovers, that means hiking, fishing, and boating sit practically at your doorstep. Additionally, Fort Steilacoom Park and Lakewold Gardens offer green space for walking, picnicking, and weekend outings. Families also benefit from the area’s schools. Lakewood falls within the Clover Park School District, which serves the surrounding neighborhoods.
Joint Base Lewis-McChord sits just a few miles away. Because of that, Lakewood has long been a popular choice for military families and JBLM personnel. Several nearby communities, including Edgewood Apartments, sit within a short drive of the base, the VA hospital, and St. Clare Hospital. This makes daily commutes far more manageable than trying to live closer to downtown Tacoma or Seattle.
Lakewood also draws renters who simply want more room to breathe. Compared to denser parts of Tacoma, the neighborhood feels calmer and more residential. Streets stay quieter, yards stay greener, and traffic noise fades into the background. For anyone coming from a bigger city, that shift alone can feel like a genuine upgrade.
About Edgewood Apartments
Edgewood Apartments offers a quieter, courtyard-style living experience. It sits in the 98498 zip code, right in the Central Lakes area of Lakewood. The community features single-story living. That appeals to renters who prefer to skip stairs entirely, whether for convenience, accessibility, or simply personal preference.
Select homes here have been recently updated with modern touches. These include refreshed kitchens, wide-plank flooring, and energy-efficient windows. That combination of classic courtyard charm with modern upgrades gives residents a comfortable, move-in-ready space. You won’t get the sterile feel of a brand-new high-rise here. Instead, you get something that feels lived-in, established, and calm.
The community sits close to neighborhood coffee shops and convenience stores, so daily errands stay simple. You won’t need to drive far for a quick coffee run or last-minute grocery trip. Availability and current floor plans change regularly, so we recommend contacting the leasing office directly. Scheduling an in-person tour also helps confirm which 1 and 2 bedroom homes are open right now.
Floor Plans: What to Expect from 1 & 2 Bedroom Rentals
1 Bedroom Homes One-bedroom units at Edgewood Apartments suit singles, couples, and anyone who wants a manageable, low-maintenance footprint. These layouts typically work well for remote workers. They offer a dedicated living space, plus a separate bedroom for rest and privacy. If you’re downsizing from a larger home, this layout often feels just right without feeling cramped.
2 Bedroom Homes Two-bedroom floor plans give renters more flexibility. Roommates, small families, or anyone who wants a home office or guest room will likely find this layout the better fit. The community offers single-story courtyard-style living. Because of that, two-bedroom homes here often feel more spacious than comparable apartments in multi-story buildings nearby.
Before you tour, think through your must-haves. Do you need in-unit laundry? Are you bringing a pet? Do you want ground-floor access? Bringing a short list of priorities to your tour makes it much easier to compare floor plans on the spot. It also helps you ask sharper questions instead of relying on memory once you’re back home comparing notes.
Amenities and Features Renters Can Expect
Specific amenities vary by unit and availability. Still, courtyard-style communities like Edgewood Apartments generally emphasize comfort and practicality over flashy extras. Renters touring the property should ask about the following, since these tend to matter most day-to-day:
- Updated kitchens with modern countertops and cabinetry
- Energy-efficient windows, which help lower utility costs
- In-unit or on-site laundry access
- Pet policies, including breed and weight restrictions
- Parking availability and any assigned spots
- Proximity to American Lake Park, located just a few blocks away
Do you have a pet? Call the leasing office ahead of your tour. Pet policies, deposits, and breed restrictions vary by property and can change over time. Getting this confirmed early saves you a headache later, especially if you’re moving with a larger breed or multiple animals.
Getting Around Lakewood
One of the biggest advantages of living in Central Lakes is the commute. It stays manageable no matter where you’re headed. Downtown Tacoma sits roughly 10 miles north. That makes it realistic for a daily commute to work, restaurants, or the waterfront. Seattle sits about 40 miles north. That works well for renters who only need to make the trip occasionally rather than every day.
Are you stationed at or working near JBLM? The base sits just a short drive away, often under 15 minutes depending on traffic and gate access. Seattle-Tacoma International Airport sits roughly 50 minutes away. That distance matters if you travel frequently for work or family visits.
Lakewood is a car-dependent area. Most residents rely on driving for errands and commuting. That said, several shopping centers sit within a few miles of Central Lakes. Quick trips for groceries or essentials stay simple and don’t require a long drive across town.
Local Life Near Edgewood Apartments
Beyond the practical stuff, Lakewood offers a genuinely pleasant lifestyle. Renters who want a slower pace without sacrificing convenience tend to love it here. Historic Fort Steilacoom and Lakewold Gardens give residents a taste of local history. Both offer beautifully maintained grounds for weekend walks. Meanwhile, the Pierce College Science Dome adds a nice option for families or lifelong learners. It sits on the Fort Steilacoom campus and makes a fun, low-cost Saturday outing.
Pierce College itself sits just a couple of miles away. Clover Park Technical College and Pacific Lutheran University both sit within easy driving distance. This makes the area appealing for students. It also works well for anyone pursuing continuing education while working full-time.
Weekends here tend to revolve around the outdoors. Residents fish and kayak on American Lake, walk the trails at Fort Steilacoom Park, or browse the gardens at Lakewold. For something more low-key, local coffee shops and small restaurants dot the neighborhood, giving residents plenty of casual options close to home.
Are you relocating from out of state? It’s worth reading up on renters’ rights and fair housing protections before you sign a lease anywhere.
The Lakewood Rental Market in 2026
Rental demand across Pierce County has held steady into 2026, and Lakewood remains one of the more approachable markets in the South Sound. Compared to Tacoma proper or anything closer to Seattle, Lakewood still offers a meaningful discount on monthly rent. That gap matters for renters trying to stretch a budget without giving up space or a reasonable commute.
Military relocations continue to shape demand here, too. JBLM brings a steady rotation of incoming and outgoing families throughout the year, especially around summer PCS season. Because of that pattern, communities near the base, including Edgewood Apartments, tend to see turnover at fairly predictable times. If you’re flexible on your move-in date, asking the leasing office about upcoming availability can sometimes open up better options than what’s listed online at any given moment.
Utility costs are also worth factoring into your budget. Washington’s relatively mild climate keeps heating and cooling costs lower than many parts of the country, but energy-efficient features like updated windows still make a noticeable difference on monthly bills. It’s a small detail, but over a full year, it adds up.
Making the Most of Life in Central Lakes
Once you’ve settled in, Central Lakes has a way of becoming a genuine home base rather than just a place to sleep. Morning walks around Waughop Lake are a popular routine for residents, and the loop trail stays flat and easy enough for almost any fitness level. Evenings often mean a short drive to one of the neighborhood’s small restaurants or a quiet night in, since the area doesn’t carry the noise or bustle of denser city living.
Seasonal changes bring their own rhythm, too. Summer months fill the parks with families and picnics, while fall turns the tree-lined streets around Lakewold Gardens into a genuinely beautiful walk. Winters stay mild by national standards, though it’s worth keeping an umbrella handy, since the Pacific Northwest lives up to its rainy reputation from November through March.
For pet owners, American Lake Park offers open space just a few blocks from the community, making daily walks simple rather than a production. And because Lakewood keeps a slower pace than Tacoma or Seattle, many residents find they spend less time commuting and more time actually enjoying their neighborhood, which is exactly the kind of trade-off that draws people to the area in the first place.
Tips for Touring and Applying
Touring an apartment can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re comparing several communities at once. A few habits make the process smoother.
First, tour at the same time of day you’d typically be home. That gives you a better sense of natural light, noise levels, and traffic outside. Next, ask specifically about current move-in specials. Pricing and promotions shift throughout the year and aren’t always listed online. It also helps to ask how utilities get billed. Some communities include water or trash in the base rent, while others bill separately.
Before you apply, gather your documentation ahead of time. Most leasing offices ask for proof of income, a government-issued ID, and references from previous landlords. Having these ready in advance speeds up the approval process considerably. That matters most if you’re working against a tight move-in deadline.
Are you relocating for military service? Ask directly about any lease flexibility tied to PCS orders. Many properties near JBLM know these situations well. They may offer more accommodating lease terms than communities further from the base. For more general guidance on what to look for during a walkthrough, check out our complete apartment touring checklist. It covers the questions renters often forget to ask.
Don’t rush the decision, even if a unit feels perfect on the first visit. Sleep on it for a night if you can, and revisit your notes before signing anything. A second look, even a quick one, often reveals small details you missed the first time around.
Final Thoughts on Edgewood Apartments
Edgewood Apartments offers a straightforward, comfortable option for renters who want single-story living in one of Lakewood’s most established neighborhoods. Between the nearby lakes, the manageable commute to Tacoma and Seattle, and the proximity to JBLM and the VA hospital, it’s easy to see why Central Lakes continues to attract steady interest from renters across the South Sound.
Does the location and floor plan sound like a fit? The next step is simple. Reach out to the leasing office. Confirm current availability, and schedule a tour to see the community in person. Photos and listings only tell part of the story. Walking the property yourself is still the best way to know whether it feels like home.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Edgewood Apartments located? Edgewood Apartments sits in the Central Lakes neighborhood of Lakewood, Washington, in the 98498 zip code. It sits close to American Lake Park and just a short drive from Joint Base Lewis-McChord.
Does Edgewood Apartments offer both 1 and 2 bedroom units? Yes, the community offers 1 and 2 bedroom floor plans. Availability changes regularly, so it’s best to contact the leasing office directly to confirm what’s currently open.
Is Edgewood Apartments pet-friendly? Pet policies, including breed and weight restrictions, vary and can change over time. Contact the leasing office before your tour to confirm current pet policies and any related fees.
How far is Edgewood Apartments from Joint Base Lewis-McChord? The community sits a short drive from JBLM, generally under 15 minutes depending on traffic and which gate you use. That makes it a popular option for military families and personnel.
What school district serves Edgewood Apartments? The community falls within the Clover Park School District, which serves families throughout the Lakewood area.
How far is Lakewood from Seattle and Tacoma? Downtown Tacoma sits about 10 miles north of Lakewood. Seattle sits roughly 40 miles north. Both cities work well for regular or occasional commutes.
What should I bring when applying for an apartment? Most leasing offices ask for a government-issued ID, proof of income, and references from previous landlords. Gathering these ahead of time speeds up your application significantly.
Are there move-in specials available at Edgewood Apartments? Move-in specials and pricing change throughout the year. The best way to get accurate, current information is to contact the leasing office directly or ask during your scheduled tour.