Help Us Choose The Right Small Town Near Olympia (Centralia: real estate market, rentals)

[stonecypher5413]

Hello,

I know my thread title is pretty broad and kinda vague, but we'd sure like to get some feedback from those of you in the Olympia area about relocating to a small town where we could commute without worrying constantly about excessive gas usage and time on the road. (Hubby has accepted a position in Oly, and I will be looking for administrative work when we get there.) We both grew up on farms and are now in our early 60s, so a rural atmosphere with retirees who like quieter pursuits than young families do, and some distance from traffic noise would suit us very well.

We'd be looking for a year's lease with excellent credit and references, possibly to turn into a home/land purchase at the end of the year with hubby's VA benefits, if we like the area and the neighborhood. Since it's only the two of us, we don't need "McMansionville" to feel at home and would prefer some acreage to go with the house!

Thanks to all who can provide some suggestions or advice!

[Ira500]

How about Yelm?
Or for something not quite as rural, consider Centralia, which is a small town with a revitalizing ( and cool) downtown area, not too far from Olympia.

[exit82]

Is Elma still there? I lived there for a few years while building the nuclear power plants (or not) and enjoyed the area very much- I then moved to the West Olympia area near the Delphi country club and would go back in a second!

[Prple]

I would suggest Boston Harbor in Olympia or East Olympia. Boston Harbor is really nice, but pretty expensive. East Olympia is pretty close in, but feels sort of rural and is more affordable than Boston Harbor. Tenino is another option and definately the most rural of the places I've mentioned.
City of Tenino WA - Homepage
BOSTON HARBOR, OLYMPIA, WA pictures from friends & fun photos on webshots
Boston Harbor Marina - Olympia, Washington

[kanhawk]

Originally Posted by Prple

I would suggest Boston Harbor in Olympia or East Olympia. Boston Harbor is really nice, but pretty expensive.
City of Tenino WA - Homepage
BOSTON HARBOR, OLYMPIA, WA pictures from friends & fun photos on webshots
Boston Harbor Marina - Olympia, Washington

Dittos on Boston Harbor. Beautiful quiet place.

[allforcats]

Elma and Montesano are "still there" and just as lovely and quiet as ever, and a fairly quick drive west from Olympia on the Olympic Peninsula.

The Olympian newspaper could give you an overview in terms of the local rentals and real estate markets and the job market.
Thurston County's Homepage - The Olympian - Olympia, Washington

[Sandy Nelson]

Stoneypher,
If the price of gas and commute times are a factor then I would suggest staying as close to Olympia as possible. My recommendations would be the south side of Tumwater, East Olympia, the South Bay neighborhood, Boston Harbor, or the Steamboat Island area. These are quiet, rural areas, away from traffic, yet close enough to have easy access to shopping, restaurants,and medical care.
Of these areas, Boston Harbor is the most expensive and commonly the most desirable area to live.
The places mentioned by my fellow posters, like Elma, Yelm, and Centralia would probably suit your needs as well. They are between a 20 and 30 minute drive from Olympia. If you don't mind the commute I'd also add the town of McCleary.

Best of luck!

Sandy

[Prple]

Originally Posted by Sandy Nelson

Stoneypher,
If the price of gas and commute times are a factor then I would suggest staying as close to Olympia as possible. My recommendations would be the south side of Tumwater, East Olympia, the South Bay neighborhood, Boston Harbor, or the Steamboat Island area. These are quiet, rural areas, away from traffic, yet close enough to have easy access to shopping, restaurants,and medical care.
Of these areas, Boston Harbor is the most expensive and commonly the most desirable area to live.
The places mentioned by my fellow posters, like Elma, Yelm, and Centralia would probably suit your needs as well. They are between a 20 and 30 minute drive from Olympia. If you don't mind the commute I'd also add the town of McCleary.

Best of luck!

Sandy

Yes, Steam Boat Island would also be a good place to look.