I think location-wise your 'hood would be great. What's it like? Is there a downtown and any ethnicity to it, or does it just feel white big-box-store suburban? The latter is wouldn't be a good fit.
Bainbridge is in the running. Poulsbo I like mostly for location and the fact they have some decent restaurants, but I agree on the gimmick.
Ethnicity? LOL.
Gig Harbor is small, wealthy, and about as non-diverse as a community could get. It's got a cool downtown and a lot of waterfront. There are some smaller restaurants that are great. Until recently, there wasn't much here in the way of chain type places..most stores and restaurants were unique, or maybe had a couple local locations. We have the standard Costco/Target/Home depot area, but it's set outside the main area of town.
There's an island mentality here...Tacoma is literally 5 minutes away across the bridge, but unless you work on the other side of the bridge, most people don't unless they have to. Same goes the other way..people don't come here from Tacoma just because (they probably can't afford the $5 toll).
5th best small town in America
don't know why, but I can't get that link to work with anything but #6. just go back one.
There are some promising aspects to what you've described and what the article says. I like that it has a cool downtown and small local restaurants, obviously like the location on the water and with good Olympics access. I don't like that it's wealthy and lacking in diversity, but as to the latter, that's a struggle a lot of places out here. Definitely work checking out.
Given that is has little in common with Gig Harbor, I probably know the answer to this, but what about Burien? It has the diversity, the downtown, the restaurants, and the location (including continued proximity to the core of Seattle). I understand that you will think it is crime-ridden compared to Wealthy White Enclave, but I've read that the western parts (which is what I'd look at given I want the water views) are supposed to be nice and just fine in that regard. Basically I've read west of 1st Ave and south of 150th-ish is good.
What about Des Moines (the one here, not in Iowa)?
Any other suggestions from you and Drifter that would hit the items I listed?
ETA: I've tentatively crossed out Bremerton on your advice. In the same area, I'd already ruled out Silverdale as well.