What is Olympia like? (Seattle, Tacoma: low crime, co-ops, home)

[akquestions]

Is it a good place for a young family? What do you think are the best/worst things about it?

[Apathizer]

I'd guess this sub has been discussed elsewhere - do a search. Briefly:

+ Relaxed, small city feel, esp downtown.
+ Quirky culture: Generally, more cultural amenities than most smaller areas.
+ Since it's the state capital, employment options are generally better than other smaller areas. [That said, with the state budget issues, I would guess the current job market isn't good.]
+ Decent public transit for a city it's size.

- Somewhat expensive for a smaller area.
- Overcast weather (it is Western WA afterall).

Overall, I think Olympia is a nice small/mid sized city if you can find decent employment; that's probably the most challenging issue. Otherwise, it's a nice place to live.

[Ira500]

Olympia pluses:
Artsy, creative, fun downtown. Pretty. Home of both the state capitol and a state college. Great school district.
Minuses: It rains more than Seattle. DT Olympia has it's share of homeless folks and panhandlers. Also has it's share of strident left wing hippies( not necessarily a minus, depending on how you feel).
I used to live in Olympia. I liked it.

[Vinylly]

Great little small town feel with nice neighborhoods. What I like most about it is the easy access to the Olympic Peninsula, Olympic Moutains and the coast without having to rely on ferries.

[akquestions]

Thank you so much for the responses!! I tried doing a search on Olympia, but came up with very little, so your thoughts are very much appreciated. I didn't know they had a state college there.

How is the commute to (south) Tacoma? I might have to make that commute 2-3x/wk.

Oh, and is there good availability of local, fresh food? How's the farmers market there?

[Vinylly]

Originally Posted by akquestions

Thank you so much for the responses!! I tried doing a search on Olympia, but came up with very little, so your thoughts are very much appreciated. I didn't know they had a state college there.

How is the commute to (south) Tacoma? I might have to make that commute 2-3x/wk.

Oh, and is there good availability of local, fresh food? How's the farmers market there?

The commute to Tacoma is about 30 miles on I-5. You have to go through Ft. Lewis. It can be very busy and the State Patrol watch that segment of I-5 like a hawk, so you better drive carefully. They do have a farmer's market and the farmlands are just a little ways south of town.

[Sandy Nelson]

Olympia: Great Farmers Market (second largest in the State), excellent schools, great public transportation and low crime.
There is a lot to do for families with children. Check out out the program of the City of Olympia Parks Art and Recreation Department. The new State of the Art Hands On Children's Museum opens at the end of August. There are lots of parks, trails and play-grounds, and for the rainy days there are places like Chucky Cheese, YMCA, Charlie's Safari, Painted Plate etc.
What's not so great IMHO is the pan-handlers downtown and the lack of business mindedness on the part of the Olympia city council. I'd love to see Olympia build an aquatic center. At the moment, there is only the YMCA pools, the Heritage fountain, and the Great Wolf Lodge (20 min. south). I love the authentic downtown and the spirit of tolerance in Olympia.
I hope you'll love it here, too.

[lady fern]

The Farmer's Market is open 4 days a week from April to October and I think on weekends in Nov. and Dec. There are several food co-ops that specialize in organic food and produce although you will pay more than at the supermarket. We've also seen some farm stands pop up that have steller prices on produce. There is a fish monger downtown. I've never actually been in there but some friends brought a salmon over for a barbecue and it was amazing. Just caught that day I guess. If you're into locker beef or fresh local meat, there are several farms close by where you can order either a whole or portion of a pig, cow, etc. I generally can get fresh eggs from one of my coworkers as there are enough people raising chickens in the community. So yes, there are plenty of places to get fresh food if you look around a bit. I could probably completely avoid the supermarket if I chose to.