Is the Olympia area a good choice? (Seattle, Tacoma: real estate, apartments)

[indigo2]

I am currently residing in Los Angeles near the beach and have lived here for over 2 decades. (I grew up in northern MN) I rent and have never owned a home. I am not rich. I have managed to save some so I can get out of LA. I lived in the San Juan Islands for a few months in the late 80s but moved back to LA because my significant other at the time did not like WA. I wanted to stay and she is not in my life anymore. There is a remote possibility I could transfer to Everett or Seattle should an opening with the company I work for arise but I am not counting on that. It might be a too populated for me as well. I work in the computer field currently. I do not want to live in the city any longer but not too rural either. I was thinking about Olympia or possibly Bellingham. I realize the siginificance of their locations. I plan on renting and looking for work but do not want to move again for awhile so I want to pick a fairly optimum location logistically. I don't have to work for a major corporation and expect to make somewhat less. Our weather is beautiful here but it is so boring. Rarely do we even get a thunderstorm near the beach. At one point, it was years since I had seen lightning. I know I can never afford a home here so I just don't see the point in staying. I have been searching for work and have worked in several fields. Had to change with the times and economy. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

[indigo2]

The admin can delete this thread. I guess it was a dumb post.

[Sandy Nelson]

Indigo,

It's not a dumb post. I've seen quite a steady flow of people moving to the Olympia area from LA or San Diego for many of the same reasons you quote. If you want to pick an optimum location logistically, then I think Olympia is the better choice. In Olympia and its vicinity you have two major employers: State Government and Federal Government (Ft. Lewis / McChord AFB). The drive from Olympia to Tacoma is about 35 minutes, Seattle is about 70 minutes and Portland is just under 2 hours. The SeaTac international airport is less than an hour's drive. Rents for apartments or homes are reasonable and there really isn't a bad neighborhood, or wrong side of the tracks in Olympia.
I hope you'll get a chance to visit and check Olympia out before you make your decission.

Sandy

[indigo2]

Thank you so much Sandy. I plan on moving in the early spring, earlier if I have found employment.

[Prple]

Olympia is would be a great choice. I love Olympia and Bellingham, but I think that Olympia would have more job opportunities and is closer to Tacoma/Seattle.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/washi...d-olympia.html

[indigo2]

Beautiful photos. Thank you Prple.

[DreamWeavin]

nice pics! I'm looking into moving there as well, so appreciate being able to see pics. Are there any mountains nearby?

Originally Posted by Prple

Olympia is would be a great choice. I love Olympia and Bellingham, but I think that Olympia would have more job opportunities and is closer to Tacoma/Seattle.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/washi...d-olympia.html

[DreamWeavin]

Most Secure U.S. Places - Yahoo! Real Estate

[indigo2]

Cool.

[Prple]

I just found this on the city of Olympia's website:

• The most secure mid-sized U.S. city as ranked by Moderator cut: linking to competitors sites is not allowed, link removed
• #8 on Forbes Magazine 2008 list of Best Places for Business and Careers, and #10 on the 2007 list.
• #16 on Sperling's 2007 ranking of Best United States Cities.
• #36 on the 2007 Country Home Magazine list of Best Green Cities in America.
• Featured in the 2006 edition of 50 Fabulous Places to Raise Your Family.

Here is some info on Olympia's great schools too: http://www.greatschools.net/city/Olympia/WA