moving to olympia (Seattle, Tacoma, Winlock: fit in, best cities, insurance)

[qlamphiear]

Hi, it looks like we will be moving to Olympia and I would like to know what you all think of the area. We have 4 children ages 3,6,12,17 and school and neighborhood is a huge thing for us. I see some stuff on the internet about Ken Lake and the Westside of Olympia, what do you think?

Thanks for your input

[Ira500]

I don't know much about the Ken Lake area, but I do know that the area on the other side of Hwy 101 is great( The westside), and that the Olympia school district is top notch.

[kanhawk]

Here's a couple of photos I took recently of westside neighborhoods , one older and some brand new.

[Sandy Nelson]

qlamphiear,

Congratulations on moving to Olympia. The schools are great whether you live on the west side or east side. You may also want to consider some of the residential neighborhoods near the Olympia High School. What exactly are you looking for in a neighborhood? Are you looking for newer, cookie cutter developments, or more mature neighborhoods?

[missy watts]

Olympia is great! You will love it here. I moved here with my husband ten years ago from the deep South after living all over the world....and we will never leave (until my retirement in the Virgin Islands!). Just remember that the weather in the summer more than makes up for the wet winters.

Schools in certain areas are great...community is strong around these schools and parental involvement is impressive, best I have seen anywhere. Your guys will be happy with the friendliness of the students I think.....because Olympia schools are "relatively" small, newcomers seem exciting!

Good luck to you. Keep reading these forums for great information.........You will get a feel of what areas are desirable by asking questions....

[Prple]

Olympia is a great place to live and raise a family! I would suggest looking in SE Olympia (Olympia High School/Washington Middle school area-98501 zip code). Also Boston Harbor (if you dont mind being a bit further out) or near the Capitol- Old Capitol Campus/Carlyon neighborhood for an older neighborhood.
Here is some info about some of the schools: Olympia Schools - Olympia Washington School Ratings - Public and Private

Here are some pictures:
A few photos around Olympia

Fall in downtown Olympia

Also, here is some info about Olympia from the city of Olympia's website:
The most secure mid-sized U.S. city as ranked by Best Places on behalf of Farmers' Insurance.
#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.

This has good info too: Thurston County, WA

Olympia is great, I think you will like it.

[HJSBach]

Having raised 2 daughters, very different from each other, in SE Olympia and having worked in the local schools for several decades, I can attest to the quality both of the schools and of most of the neighborhoods. Many OHS (Wm Winlock Miller) graduates have gone on to the Ivy League, and most of them were not "legacies". The school is exceptionally strong in both music and athletics as well as all academics. My youngest daughter's class (now "out in the real world") has a very high % of college graduates from all sorts of colleges all over the country. There is a great variety of student activities; something for everyone. There are numerous AP classes offered, as well as honors classes.

I'd do exactly what I did all over. I live in the home we bought in SE Olympia 36 years ago!

[daveinps]

My partner got a fantasic job offer in the area and we will be relocating there soon. I grew up in the PNW but have lived in Palm Springs for about 20 years. Freaked out about moving to the area but now am a bit relieved after reading some of these posts that we are not falling off the edge of the earth. I will be looking for employment upon arriving, and am hoping there are fun things to do there and nice areas to live in. Any comments?????

[nwcountrygal]

Olympia is smaller quaint open liberal lifestyle community open for all types -it is wet - but the summers again you can not get much better! Not off the edge of the world by any means and Seattle Tacoma just up the road if you need the true city life - Olympia would not ever fit into the red neck catagory-- although I live close and can fit in to that also-- including bull riding and loggers! In my opinion Olympia is one of the best cities in Western Washington.....

[Prple]

I agree with the post above.

This post has a list of fun family activities in Olympia: http://www.city-data.com/forum/washi...s-olympia.html