Bellevue vs. Olympia area (Seattle, Tacoma: buy, theater, public schools)

[Maas]

This may sound like it's coming from left field - but hope that those of you responding can shed light on comparing Bellevue to Olympia (or somewhere in between). My partner is looking at Olympia - I will be tied to Bellevue. We have 2 school age kids so finding an area with excellent schools is important.

Elsewhere in this forum - people were moaning at how cold and rainy Olympia is - is this specific to Olympia or does this apply to Seattle area too?

(we're moving from the East coast).

[Ira500]

I've lived in Olympia and now live just outside of Seattle. There's not a significant difference in the amount of annual rainfall, but Olympia does get more.And both Olympia and Bellevue are noted for having good schools.
But...in Bellevue there just aren't any parts of the city that are bad...sure, some parts are nicer than others, but in Olympia, there are some great areas, and some pretty scuzzy parts.

[l97734ld]

Originally Posted by Ira500

...but in Olympia, there are some great areas, and some pretty scuzzy parts.

So which are the good, and which are the bad? I've been away from Oly for 13 years and am going back soon. Would value your input greatly!

How about Lacey?

Thanks.

[Prple]

The weather in Olympia isn't very different from Bellevue, Tacoma, Seattle, etc. In fact, I have found it to be milder in Olympia than the Snoqualmie Ridge/North Bend area.

Both Olympia and Bellevue are good places to live, and both have great schools.

Olympia is more affordable than Bellevue, but, Bellevue has a more upscale reputation. Here is some additional information on Olympia:

Olympia schools - Olympia public schools - Olympia school ratings - Best Olympia schools

Moderator cut: link to a competitors site removed

Good luck!

[Kate_wa]

You say you are "tied to Bellevue" - does this mean you are thinking of commuting? Bellevue-Olympia, I would REALLY re-think that if that's what you're proposing. On a good weekend day, that's about an hour and a quarter. Rush hour, could be more like 2 to 2 1/2 hours each way through a real slog of a commute.

As far as the differences between the communities, I agree with others that Bellevue has a more "upscale" feel to it - and the housing prices to match.

I am originally from the East Coast and still have family and visit there. I used to live in Seattle, then in Normandy Park (just south of Seattle), and moved to Olympia about five years ago.

Pros:
* Less traffic
* More affordable housing
* Less of a "mall atmosphere" - more locally-grounded businesses
* If you like to go to Portland, Olympia splits the difference on the drive, so gives access to both Seattle and Portland fairly easily.
* Closer to the coast.
* Easier access to Mt. Rainier
* Generally a more laid-back feel than Seattle/Bellevue
* Parks are not overly crowded
* Can still buy land, if you are interested in that.

Cons:
* Less variety of restaurants
* Although there's a good and full theater life down here, it's not Seattle.
* The weather is, in my experience, a bit more extreme. More wet and cold in the winter, and hotter during the summer. I've lived 25 years in Washington state, and I never bought an airconditioner until I moved to Olympia and couldn't work the first summer here because of the heat. (I am admittedly a heat wimp). Of course, compared to the NE, it's all very mild...

About the same:
* People are not terribly friendly or outgoing in either place. If you have places where you will meet people "in role" (work, church, children's activities), then you should be ok. But for folks who, for example, work from home, it can be a really tough area in both places to make connections and meet people.
* Politics - socially liberal in both places. Probably economically less liberal in Bellevue, where there's a stronger republican presence.

Hope this is helpful.

Sylvie

[scirocco22]

A clarification on the weather issue, Maas. As we've noted in other threads, Olympia has the distinction of having the "most days of rain" than anywhere else in the nation.

That's not to say that its measurable precipitation is that much greater than, say, the Seattle area but having more "days of rain" it might "feel" like it gets more rain. I can vouch for the fact that many times when I've been in Olympia and it's raining, it's not in the Seattle area.

Olympia also tends to get much colder nights in the winter than the Seattle/Bellevue area.