moving to Olympia (Centralia, Chehalis, Pacific: houses, tenant, theater)

[lovemytwins]

Hello all,
We'll be moving to Olympia and I'll be working in Centralia area and thought about living in Olympia area and commute, thinking it will be easier commute since I'll be against the traffic? I've enjoyed some great suggestions and feedback from this post and will get serious about checking out some homes in Olympia area. Any advice about some areas to check out? Any nearby areas to explore? We would like a safe, family oriented area that is still liberal and inclusive? thanks in advance

[kc2sweet4ne1]

Traffic isn't really that bad, either way. There will be days though. It seems backwards to me to be working in Centralia and living in Olympia. Most people choose to live in the less expensive areas. Have you looked in Centralia for a home? Your travel time would be even less, as would your living expenses!

[earls]

By moving to Olympia you will:
1. pay much more for home
2. pay more on property taxes
3. take about 35 minutes to get to Centralia
4. If I were going to live in Olympia I would look along Capital Way going south toward Pacific?
5. you will encounter traffic lots of trucks and congestion in winter and especially in summer.

[lovemytwins]

Thank you earls and kc2sweet4ne1 for your feedback. Yes. after doing more research, you both have very good points. We were recommended by some Washingtonions that Olympia offered much more culture than Centralia/Chehalis area. Also, I couldn't find YMCA for that area either and good early educational opportunities for our children as where I read Olympia had children's museum and preschool through the museum..etc I'll know more when I visit next month for my job interview. Any thought on living south of Centralia? that would place us nearer to Oregon?? just thinking out loud. What's your thoughts on raising kids in Centralia area? thanks again, I'm sure I"ll have more questions once I do more internet search...

[earls]

We may not have a YMCA but we do have a huge exercise building with private ownership and monthly rates. I do not go there but have never heard anyone complain about it. We have the 'Evergreen playhouse' that gives four plays a year and the Corbett Theater at city college that offers different choices I do not know the complete choice range but we went there to see a presentation this summer. I do not know of any public school system that you should avoid. You have all the home choices you could want in the Centralia/Chehalis area.
I live in Chehalis. If I were doing it again I would stay where I am,or check out Napavine a small city but absolute best water anywhere, - There are many pre-schools some very good ones run by local churches. We came 'that' close to having a light opera facility but the building is going back to the city to find a new tenant. - I do not know of any playhouses or light opera events in Olympia. The capital building is nice to visit as well as the harbor but not live.

[Sandy Nelson]

lovemytwins,
Centralia is a lovely place to live and it has started to become a bedroom community for Olympia state workers, who enjoy lower home prices in Centralia and don't mind the 30 minute commute. Some of the reasons why homes in Olympia cost more than in Centralia is because Olympia offers more amenities, such as several theatres, galleries, two colleges, the Washington Center for Performing Arts, plenty of shopping, restaurants and parks, excellent schools (Olympia High School ranks in the top 5% of public high schools nation-wide) a popular farmer's market, and, not to forget, awesome views of the sound, the Olympics and Mt. Rainier. If those things are of importance, it's worth the home prices. If not you can always move to where homes cost less and visit Olympia to take advantage of what is has to offer.

Sandy