Is the Olympia area a good choice? (Tacoma: homes, neighborhood)

[indigo2]

Thanks for hte great information Prple!
I think the best way to relocate there is to move and then find work as I have not been getting any hits on my resume.

[West coast at heart]

Originally Posted by indigo2

Thanks for hte great information Prple!
I think the best way to relocate there is to move and then find work as I have not been getting any hits on my resume.

Hi indigo. I hope you do not mind my replying.

First off, thank you for starting this thread. My wife and I are going to be moving to the PNW in the spring as well. I had not considered Olympia yet, so I am happy that you started the thread. (The only "dumb" question is the one you do not ask.)

I don't know about moving without having a job first. I am very cautious and that is just my opinion. I think that it might serve you better to plan a vacation out there and scout the area out. You could look for jobs, housing, and whether or not Olympia is for you. If possible, make a few trips to Olympia during different times of the year. I am sure you are aware of how different the weather is in WA than LA. You may find you love it, but maybe not. It would be very unfortunate if you made the move only to discover that you do not like the winters. I am very fond of their winters. I am from Northern Indiana and I cannot wait to get out there. I think you will like it there, but that is for you to decide.

Good luck with your decision. I hope you find everything you are looking for in Olympia.

Peace,
wc@h

[indigo2]

Thank you West Coast at Heart. I'm glad you replyed. I know I can find work eventually. I am going to try to become 100% remote in my job but doubt my employer will go for that. I am a computer admin. I know I can find work (eventually). Taking vacations there is a very good idea. I think that has to be done. Actually finding time to get go there will be the difficult part. I will be looking forward to the weather change. LA is beautifully boring. I can detect the subtle seasonal changes here though. Fall is my favorite in any climate.

[nwcountrygal]

Hello all - Good luck on your move..........

I live near the area of Olympia - I have been in Puget Sound for over 30 years so have a good idea of it. I have lived Tacoma area - Mt Rainier - now near Olympia. My question to you I will pose as I have been reading for moving out of the area.

What kind of area to live in are you looking for? Is a night life important to you-- Olympia very differnt than LA... Do you want city amenities? What kind?How long do you want to sit in traffic? What kind of housing is ok for you - or do you want? Can you realllllllly live with 50 degrees or colder and 4 to 6 months of cold drizzle rain without sun? up to 100 days that feels like 30 degrees or colder wet cold? (longest I have seen is 115 days no sun in a row) Can you wait for the most beautiful scenery mts ocean dry east side on that sunny day?

As far as moving to WA - I love Olympia and surrounding area for WA.... better than middle to northern Puget Sound. Your used to traffic so that wouldn't be an issue I assume. Less crowded - some of the pretty communities I believe. More laid back... allot of granola alternative life styles to area. Evergreen College based at.

In actual prices for Puget Sound - most affordable. (Thurston county is actually realllllly dropped for housing price and you can find a nice modest house in area for 200K to 300K ) spend more and get alot more now also. My favortie area is Boston Harbor is to die for - although waterfront high end - although that has dropped allot too now! (I have two house at moment - one in Yelm and one in NE Tacoma - I can't sell either with how much the area has dropped - great time to buy. )

Let me know what your looking for and I can direct you in the right direction. good luck

[indigo2]

I am looking for a quiet area not too secluded and close to a target. I also want to work within 10 miles of where I live. (Is that reasonable?) I am not interested in any night life. I've been through that phase out in LA. That ended in the late 90s. (LA women are very different) As far as the weather is concerned, I am prepared for rain and clouds. I am basically a home body but want to explore the state. In LA it takes forever to get out of the populated areas and then nearly everywhere is populated. I know there will be an adjustment that is for sure. I am not in the market for buying a home for quite some time. I will rent an apartment that has a garage. The only reservation I have is not being able to find work and going through my savings.

[nwcountrygal]

Hello

If your wanting to work in computer industry I would think it would be easier to find job on internet befor moving. Living 10 miles from work and not "really" living in town maybe an issue. Again though - your defination and mine of living out of town maybe totally differnt.

As far as the Olympia area I would think to check out the state jobs. Although in Puget Sound it is common to work remotely with many compainies.

Many of us who live outside "town" (I have in my town Safeway - brand new KFchicken LOL - unfourtantly new Wallmart - Chevy dealership- BurgerKing- Jackinbox- area growing - talk of Applebee's to Home Depot) but I drive 40 minutes to even hit the freeway. It takes me 20 minutes to get to a gas station or to even pick up a pack of smokes..no cell/cable service where I live. I live in a gated community with lakes trails and around 4000 houses. And in my way of thinking - I live in town LOL

I just got used to driving to job - which traffic sucks in Puget Sound - really. That would be Ft Lewis to Everret. Or I changed my job to fit into location. Even living in town most people I know still drive an hour or more one way to work - and that can be only 15 - 20 miles.

With the way the housing market is many people are renting houses instead of selling. You could find a house for close to the same price as many apartments.

Most computer jobs -- unless remote -- equals town. Living in Olympia or Bellingham will limit your ability for short commute. Again - maybe the WA state jobs and live in Olympia area sounds like one of your best bets. Although you can live in "town" and the nice thing is the great outdoors is just a road out your backyard---

I really think you visit the area and find a job first.. you could end up moving to Olympia and driving to Bellevue for work.... .

Good luck

[indigo2]

thank-you nwcountrygal. I do need high speed internet. DSL minumum speed. I currently drive 8.5 miles to work and no freeway driving. I had, in the past, and for years and years took the freeway to work. 22 miles one way. Not too bad actually.. i just want peace and quiet now.

[angelbug]

Olympia is on my short list for early-ish retirement in about 3 years. Can some Olympians suggest some neighborhoods that might suit someone who is an active late-50s woman, likes to leave the car at home, enjoys walking to cafes, restaurants, etc., likes city parks, prefers a young-ish kind of neighborhood but one that is safe ("colorful" is ok, dangerous is not), and isn't too yuppified? I like a nice mix of folks around me so I don't really want a neighborhood that's overly populated by young families, since I'm past that stage of my life. I would like to start investigating places when I visit my son, who's going to school in Tacoma. Thanks for any advice you can give me!

[Sandy Nelson]

Angelbug,
I'd suggest checking out the South Capitol Neighborhood in Olympia. You can walk to downtown within 10 minutes, or catch the free Dash shuttle bus. You're neighbors with the Capitol and its beautifully maintained campus and you can walk around Capitol Lake, or the Percival Landing boardwalk. The community is well maintained and very safe. The neighborhood homes are mainly older homes (many historic) with lots of charm. Since its a city neighborhood, the yards tend to be small and the neighborhood streets are connected with sidewalks. I would recommend you check it out when you come to visit.

Sandy

[isaackko]

Olympia is supposed to be nice...

and on an unrelated note

DUDE, work on your self-esteem!