moving to Olympia (Lacey, Tumwater: low income, rental, violent crime)

[wandering]

I am contemplating relocating to Olympia. My wife and I have four children under the age of 10 and are concerned about how child friendly the area is. Any one have any information on this?

[Myrna]

We love Olympia! All 3 neighboring cities(Olympia, Tumwater, Lacey) offer a lot of great kid and family events and activities, many free or low-cost.

We currently live in Lacey and look forward each year to the Lacey Spring Fun Fair and Children's Day (held in early fall). Both offer plenty of free games, rides and entertainment as well as visits and tips from the local police and fire departments. As well as these, Lacey Parks and Recreation provides for several sports, dance, cultural and recreational activities and classes for minimal fees. My daughter took 6 weeks of ballet for $18 and she loved it.

Unfortunately in Lacey you compromise good schools and safety. We are looking to buy a house elsewhere because the schools have been sub standard and crime here is out-of-control, particularly violent crime.

Olympia offers many of the same great programs and events for kids and families as well as great schools and great neighborhoods. You will find pockets of crime in any town or city but for the most part you can sleep well at night. Many people would steer you away from downtown, but aside a few panhandlers you should find it to be a charming city. Lakefair, the Pet Parade and Procession of the Species are sure to delight you and your kids.

Don't rule out Tumwater. Tumwater offers fewer of it's own activities but you can reach Olympia in just a few minutes drive. Tumwater schools do a great job educating their students and crime is less common in this part of the area,except in those few pockets of course.

[DBM]

Sperlings, the folks who publish the various "Best Places" books, rates Olympia as one of the "50 Best Places to Raise a Family". I would second all that Myrna wrote -- the area constantly has family-friendly events going on. The schools, particularly the Olympia School District, are excellent. Go to greatschools.net to look up some of the school info.

[sodwyer]

Olympia is a great place for families! Tons to do, and a great pace for families. We currenlty have a four year old and thoroughly enjoy the various fairs and activities. There's a large selection of extra curricular activities for kids, not to mention the outdoors and everything we have available pretty much year round. I grew up here and would be happy to send you some information regarding schools or whatever interests you. Good LucK!

[coltoncity]

All I know of the Olympia area is good. My daughters friend moved there and loved it as did her parents. My Mom went there for work a lot and talked of how safe it was. Some time about Tumwater and Lacey she seemed to like Tumwater.

[hellotherehello]

I also livein the area There is a group of active progressive families in this area....there are also signs of economic decline which concern me and I am planning to move onwards north as I livein a medium priced rental area-not low income nor high end... If you can afford it and buy in the upper class areas I think you will be satisfied. It is a smaller town though and not as many activities as you might find in a larger city.You are familiar w/ western wa weather?