Olympia--All I want to know

[West coast at heart]

Originally Posted by Prple

Here are some links that you might enjoy:

Olympia Farmers Market local Washington organic farmers, handmade arts & crafts, locally grown plants

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

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

Wow!! What incredible pictures Prple! You just made my day.

Living in the Midwest, we have fall colors that I love and look forward to every year. I was not sure if WA would have a "fall show". My wife and I will be moving to the PNW next summer (2010). All of my family are here in Indiana. My wife's parents live in McMinnville,OR and it will be nice to be closer to them. The fall colors will help make the transition a little bit more bearable as well. I am looking forward to the move. I have entered Olympia into the possible destinations!

Thanks again,
wc@h

[figarocat]

My husband and I are contemplating making the move from AZ to WA, specifically Olympia. I will be an RN by the time we move and my husband is a carpenter/contractor. I know I can look at all the different job sites and on the hospital websites as well, but I was wondering what the big pic is there for those industries. Also, we have three kiddos and from what I have read so far, the school systems sound promising! The rain will be the only thing we need to become accustom to.

[RobE]

I live about 10-15 minutes outside of Olympia. Olympia has some real nice neighborhoods, though I haven't yet ventured to the port area of it. It's a real politically correct kind of town (but so is Seattle). Housing prices in the Olympia-Lacey-Yelm area right now are pretty flat and you could probably find something pretty darn decent in the mid 200K range.

The downsides to living here as compared to, say, California, is that it rains pretty much 8-9 months out of the year and it is usually cold/cool and overcast, but the summers are also very temperate (rarely do you have a 90 degree day). Also, the property taxes and sales taxes are high and the food prices are a bit higher than in CA, but there is no state income tax, the traffic isn't too horrendous (note that I'm comparing it with how it is in SoCal) and while illegal immigration here is increasing here it hasn't reached the proportions you see closer to the Mexican border. Plus you can take Amtrak to the Mariners games.

It will snow, with the exception of this past winter, which was a real doozy, no more than 1-2 days a year and the snowfall is usually pretty light and shortlived, (a couple of inches or so).

[WA state]

I found it odd in a recent realestate search that you can get a cute newer 3 bedroom with decent lot at around $240, 000 near downtown (11th, 16th etc.
Why are these prices so low? Or am I just way too used to Port Townsend prices?

[WA state]

Sorry to bother again, wanted to post here cuz you all had such great feedback, purpl, great photos! Looking at a house on 11th and have seen a partial arial view of the capital in relation to the river, but want a good one to see where I'd be in the grand scheme of things. Have kids and would want to be around downtown for shopping and schools right?
Is it true what one person is saying about capital and downtown dangerous and overrun with bums?
Can you do basic errands and buy necessities on a walking trip if you live near downtown?
The schools sound impressive, thanks for all the links!!!!

[Prple]

It's hard to say... there is a mix of homes, prices and people. The older/walkable areas of Olympia that I like (Capitol Campus and Carlyon) is pretty pricey, but there are parts of Tumwater that I also like that are a lot more affordable. Parts of West Olympia (near shopping and parks) could work too. You will be able to know which area feels right for you by driving or walking around. Or you can always type in address into google maps and look around at the street view. Good luck and keep us posted.

[Sandy Nelson]

I don't know what particular listing you looked at, but the Eastside neighborhood has mostly older and smaller homes, which could have something to do with the price. I live within walking distance to downtown and love it. The only area I would avoid if I was walking by myself is the upper end of 4th Ave after nightfall.

[Chris1955]

Originally Posted by WA state

Sorry to bother again, wanted to post here cuz you all had such great feedback, purpl, great photos! Looking at a house on 11th and have seen a partial arial view of the capital in relation to the river, but want a good one to see where I'd be in the grand scheme of things. Have kids and would want to be around downtown for shopping and schools right?
Is it true what one person is saying about capital and downtown dangerous and overrun with bums?
Can you do basic errands and buy necessities on a walking trip if you live near downtown?
The schools sound impressive, thanks for all the links!!!!

Actually living near downtown is not the plan, if you have kids or plan on doing a walkabout for your shopping.

The only real grocery store downtown is Bayview and it is a 'top' end store. But there is the farmers market on certain days.

I would say the West side is the better place if that is your intent. Or Tumwater, or atop the hill and some on the Eastside, where you are in range of the other Thriftway, and several other stores and a branch of the Co-op.

And the dangers of downtown are relative, compared to places I have lived downtown Olympia is a pussycat. Sure there are homeless, and some panhandlers, downtown but it is nothing like Tacoma or Seattles bad areas.

I woudl leave the downtown living to the adult only crowd. Not because it is a bad place, but because there is really not a lot for a sprog to do down there, and the downtown has a lot of partying going on during the night seasons, esepcially the weekend.

[Chris1955]

Originally Posted by figarocat

My husband and I are contemplating making the move from AZ to WA, specifically Olympia. I will be an RN by the time we move and my husband is a carpenter/contractor. I know I can look at all the different job sites and on the hospital websites as well, but I was wondering what the big pic is there for those industries. Also, we have three kiddos and from what I have read so far, the school systems sound promising! The rain will be the only thing we need to become accustom to.

I have some friends in that end of the world, and doing remodels is about the only game in town right now. Seriously one long time friend of mine is traveling back and forth to NM to work, because the market has so dried up and he has been a contractor for 20 some years.