Moving to Olympia (condos, daycare, townhomes)

[pookey]

Hello everyone!
We are contemplating the idea of moving to Olympia sometime soon, and we would like as much info as possible about the area.

We are particularly interested in schools. I understand Centennial, Pioneer, and Washington Middle seem to be the best. Is this correct?

Which are the most desirable subdivisions/areas to live in that belong to those schools? We are looking for a nice, quiet, safe neighborhood, with preferably newer homes (less than 15 yrs. or so). Also, it would be a huge plus if there are commercial areas within walking distance. We and the kids tend walk a lot, and do our grocery or other shopping as well.

Also, any areas that we should stay away from?

Any advice is very much appreciated. Thanks a lot.

[Sandy Nelson]

My kids went to Pioneer and are now in Washington Middle School. The school was just refurbished last year and looks great. Olympia High School is just down the road and was recently listed among the top 5% of public high schools nation wide. Both schools are located amid an established neighborhood, so the homes tend to be a bit older, but very nice.
A new development that might be of interest to you is called "Briggs Village". It's a planned community with parks, walking trails, shops and restaurants. It is located close to Washington Middle School, off Henderson Blvd, right by the YMCA and 1/2 a mile from Pioneer Park. Phase one is currently under construction and a few homes have been completed. It will be a mixed community with upper-end single family homes, medium priced single family homes, townhomes and condos. It's only a short bicycle ride from downtown (I live downtown and ride my bike to the YMCA). You can find out more about Briggs Village here.

Good luck with your move.

Sandy
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[pookey]

Sandy, thanks so much! This is all great info!
We actually visited Briggs last weekend and I think it's going to be a wonderful place, when finished. The homes look terrific! Only problem is that the lots are really small, no backyard at all on most of them. Although it's really great to have all the parks, trails, greenbelts, one would still want a little privacy and decent backyard.
Do you recommend any other communities or subdivisions? We looked briefly at The Farm and loved it. Any others with the same feel and quality?
Thanks again!

[Sandy Nelson]

Pookey,

Unfortunately all the newer communities have these small lots nowadays. They follow the trend that many homeowners want low maintenance yards. Of course the developers can make more money if they can squeeze more homes into a plat. "The Farm" is a very nice community, but I don't see homes coming on the market in there very often. Other neighborhoods that might be of interest to you are Nottingham, Canterbury and Burnaby Park. They are located between Henderson and Boulevard. Homes in these neighborhoods commonly have upwards of 1/4 acre in property size. Nottingham was developed in the late 80s, so some homes in there are upwards of 15 years old. Canterbury homes are a little bit older, and Burnaby Park was developed in the 90s, and homes there are a bit pricey, but very desirable.
Have fun shopping for homes.

Sandy
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[pookey]

Thanks again for all the info!! Are there any good pre-schools or daycare places in the area, too? You seem to know the area pretty well. Thanks!

[DBM]

Pookey,

The Lutheran Church of Good Shepard, on the corner of Henderson & North Streets, has very good programs and is within walking distance of the neighborhoods Sandy described. Usually there is a long waiting list, so I don't know if you'll get in immediately. Even if you can't, though, they should be a good resource for locating other programs in the area.

Another suggestion is the Hands' On Children's Museum. It's located right next to the Capitol, so I don't know if that's within your definition of "in the area." If the location works for you, the Museum runs a number of schools, camps, programs -- it's worth checking out.

Good luck.

[chris]

I'll second the Hands' On Children's Museum, we have a membership there for our kids and they really *really* enjoy it.

[pookey]

That's very helpful. Thanks a lot, guys!