Now that's I've explored... Lacey, Yelm, Clearwood questions (Seattle, Olympia: foreclosures, rentals)

[SantosLHalper]

I just wanted to first say thank you for the locals on this board who have been so helpful with information before my journey here this past weekend. You helped me narrow down my search a lot more.

I left this trip with a few impressions:
1) Neighborhoods in west are a lot more packed in than we are accustomed to. Found this to be the case in almost every neighborhood I visited north or south of the city. That isn't much different with the newer neighborhoods here in NC, but surprised to see this in some of the older neighborhoods too.
2) I think I fell in love with the Nisqually Wildlife Refuge.
3) As much as there are stores that we are more used to up north of Seattle (Lynnwood was an option for us), the pace of the Olympia area was much more our speed. Also doesn't hurt that I spent pretty much all my teenage years listening to bands on K Records. I really loved downtown Olympia. Darby's was delicious.
4) Haggen! Can I say more?

So, here are the questions I have:
1) Clearwood in Yelm seems to have a lot of rentals, and affordable ones at that. I didn't make it that far on this trip honestly due to time but trying to understand how "far out" that is, if my office is in Lacey. Can anyone who lives in that area realistically give me an idea of how far to the Target, if there are grocery stores and shopping nearby, and how the water works (it looks like a fee we pay for month, is it a well?). Is that area safe? I know that it's gated, but can't get a good idea on safety. I did look for some posts, and saw a few older ones.
2) Can anyone tell me where the newer shopping areas are in Yelm/Lacey? I made it down Yelm Hwy, there was an area called Lacey Crossing (I think) that I saw looked like it was growing, but having a hard time figuring out where I was on the map.
3) I passed a horse community that I cannot recall the name of, the street was called Kenzi St. Very interesting area, as it was rural, but close enough to convenience, which is what we are looking for. Does anyone know this area (I believe close to Yelm Highway)?
4) Is there transit that runs from Oly to Sea-Tac? The drive down on a weekend wasn't horrible, up was another story, but I could see when there is an event this being a nightmare.

We have made the decision to choose Lacey over Lynnwood due to the affordable of housing and what seems to be a better pace of life. I know having to drive to Lynnwood is going to be a huge disaster, but will probably go in the night before on those days.

Again, thank you all for the wonderful advice here, really appreciate it!

[Andy]

Originally Posted by SantosLHalper

So, here are the questions I have:
1) Clearwood in Yelm seems to have a lot of rentals, and affordable ones at that. I didn't make it that far on this trip honestly due to time but trying to understand how "far out" that is, if my office is in Lacey. Can anyone who lives in that area realistically give me an idea of how far to the Target, if there are grocery stores and shopping nearby, and how the water works (it looks like a fee we pay for month, is it a well?). Is that area safe? I know that it's gated, but can't get a good idea on safety. I did look for some posts, and saw a few older ones.

Clearwood is 45 minutes from the main part Lacey where the nearest Target is. There is a convenience store at the main gate (no gas). Nearest gas station at 153rd & Vail Rd about 12 minutes away. Nearest shopping to Clearwood is Wal-Mart, Safeway, etc. 20 minutes away in Yelm.

Clearwood is safe, well maintained, has great parks and the lake, but is way far out. It has slightly more foreclosures than the typical neighborhood in Thurston County. A good percentage of properties in Clearwood are vacation properties. It has had a recent water issue where they had to boil water.

2) Can anyone tell me where the newer shopping areas are in Yelm/Lacey? I made it down Yelm Hwy, there was an area called Lacey Crossing (I think) that I saw looked like it was growing, but having a hard time figuring out where I was on the map.

The big shopping areas in the area are:

West Olympia (Capital Mall with Macy's, JC Penney's, REI, Total Wine, Best Buy. Target, Haggen, Old Navy, Ross, Barnes & Noble, Toys r Us, Sports Authority, Trader Joes, Safeway, Staples, Office Depot)

South Sound Center area of Lacey, I-5 at Sleater-Kinney Rd (Target, Fred Meyer, Sears, Kohls, Michaels, Marshalls, Ross, Lowes, Home Depot, Albertsons, Safeway, Office Depot)

Hawks Prairie area of Lacey, I-5 at Marvin Rd (Cabela's, Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Costco, Winco Foods, Safeway, Best Buy)

Tumwater, I-5 at Trosper Rd (Costco, Wal-Mart, Fred Meyer, Home Depot, Albertsons)

Yelm Hwy / Indian Summer, Yelm Hwy at College St./Rainier Rd. (Lowes, Safeway, QFC)

East part of Yelm along SR-507 (Wal-Mart, Safeway, Sunbird)

3) I passed a horse community that I cannot recall the name of, the street was called Kenzi St. Very interesting area, as it was rural, but close enough to convenience, which is what we are looking for. Does anyone know this area (I believe close to Yelm Highway)?

Good neighborhood, close to shopping along Yelm Hwy., very close to AMTRAK station. Houses from high $300,000s and up.

4) Is there transit that runs from Oly to Sea-Tac? The drive down on a weekend wasn't horrible, up was another story, but I could see when there is an event this being a nightmare.

The drive is quicker than any transit option. If you need to use the airport, go early, late, or middle of day. Avoid rush hours.

We have made the decision to choose Lacey over Lynnwood due to the affordable of housing and what seems to be a better pace of life. I know having to drive to Lynnwood is going to be a huge disaster, but will probably go in the night before on those days.

80 minutes to Lynnwood if you time it right. I have done the drive between the Olympia area and up north hundreds of times. Learn the traffic flow patterns, and you will learn when to make the trip.

[SantosLHalper]

This was incredibly helpful, thank you very much!