Which areas of Olympia/Tumwater known for crime? (neighborhood, interest)

[Sandy Nelson]

Pomona,
The South Capitol district is my favorite neighborhood in Olympia. I was lucky to find an affordable house there for my family and we love being able to walk to the lake, to downtown coffee shops, or stroll the historic neighborhood. If you're interested, the neighborhood has a website at www.southcapitolneighborhood.com
There are some rentals in the neighborhood, but they're few and far between. You might have better luck renting in the Eastside neighborhood, which is also made up of vintage homes and is walking distance to downtown. And yes, Olympia gets as much rain as Seattle.

[Ira500]

And yes, Olympia gets as much rain as Seattle.

Actually a little bit more. About 50 inches per year compared to Seattle's 38.
Even so, Olympia is still a very nice place.

[Rosefolly]

Actually, I hope it does get rain! As a dedicated gardener, one of my highest criteria for a place to live is adequate rainfall to support this habit, around 30 to 50 inches per year. We're looking at Olympia, Mount Vernon, and Bellingham for mid-sized to small cities, big enough to have amenities but small enough to feel homelike. We also plan to find a home outside the commuter belt to Seattle so we'll be protected from the heavy daily traffic and urban sprawl. Perhaps people who live there could let me know if Olympia is far enough away from Seattle for this to be true. We'd love to have a genuine downtown we could walk to on a pleasant day for morning coffee, a visit to the library, and maybe some light shopping. I don't mind driving, but dislike living in a situation where I am absolutely dependent upon the automobile. A four or two year college is on our list too, and all three cities have that. I've always wanted to settle in a college town.

[Sandy Nelson]

Rosefolly,
Olympia has a walkable downtown and a great public transit system (recently ranked number one in US). The Dash bus is completely free of charge and runs between the Framer's Market and the Capitol. The heavy traffic on I-5 doesn't usually start until you get north to Pierce County, right around Fort Lewis. Olympia has a community college and also St. Martin's University and Evergreen State College. I've never been to Bellingham or Mount Vernon, but I've heard they're also very nice towns. Let us know what city you'll end up deciding on.

[Inkpoe]

Originally Posted by Rosefolly

Actually, I hope it does get rain! As a dedicated gardener, one of my highest criteria for a place to live is adequate rainfall to support this habit, around 30 to 50 inches per year. We're looking at Olympia, Mount Vernon, and Bellingham for mid-sized to small cities, big enough to have amenities but small enough to feel homelike. We also plan to find a home outside the commuter belt to Seattle so we'll be protected from the heavy daily traffic and urban sprawl. Perhaps people who live there could let me know if Olympia is far enough away from Seattle for this to be true. We'd love to have a genuine downtown we could walk to on a pleasant day for morning coffee, a visit to the library, and maybe some light shopping. I don't mind driving, but dislike living in a situation where I am absolutely dependent upon the automobile. A four or two year college is on our list too, and all three cities have that. I've always wanted to settle in a college town.

Between Olympia, MV and Bham, I would choose Olympia. It definitely has all the amenities and retains the small feel. Bham is great, but the gas prices will always be higher there than the rest of the state. Mt. Vernon is beautiful, but doesn't really have as much amenities that both Bham and Oly provides. However, for all three, you have to be car-dependent (unless you live closer to town).

Olympia is one hour away from Seattle. Its very different from Seattle. Also has a great downtown. If you're concerned about the sprawl, that's Lacey and Yelm. For the rural experience, Boston Harbor is it.

[Ultrarunner]

Originally Posted by Inkpoe

Between Olympia, MV and Bham, I would choose Olympia. It definitely has all the amenities and retains the small feel. Bham is great, but the gas prices will always be higher there than the rest of the state. Mt. Vernon is beautiful, but doesn't really have as much amenities that both Bham and Oly provides. However, for all three, you have to be car-dependent (unless you live closer to town).
Olympia is one hour away from Seattle. Its very different from Seattle. Also has a great downtown. If you're concerned about the sprawl, that's Lacey and Yelm. For the rural experience, Boston Harbor is it.

I just love the area out towards Boston Harbor... hard to believe it's only minutes from the State Capital

[TATU67]

I have lived in Black Lake area from 2001 to 2004. It is rural but close enough to downtown Olympia, ( We love the wildlife). We had a very small drug problem, but those folks stayed to themselves and with that crime was nill!

[makishadondistu]

Originally Posted by Marilynnanne

I live in the South Capitol neighborhood and have three duplexes that I rent furnished to people in some sort of transition, or just vacationing. I really love Olympia. I have one furnished home in SE Olympia that is in a really great area close to a trail. Olympia is so full of parks and fun happenings. Today Santa Clause will be taking a trip through town on an electric trolley and the whole city will be alive with Christmas happenings. Next Saturday will be the toy run (thousands of motorcycles rolling through town throwing candy and delivering toys). Our Farmer's Market is the pride of Olympia, and you will certainly go broke trying out all of our great restaurants. My absolute favorite place in all of Olympia is, of course, the Historic South Capitol neighborhood with it's museum, Frog Pond Deli/Market, wonderful mix of architecture in the vintage and antique homes, and the best place to walk your dog (as is demonstrated by the many people who DRIVE to South Capitol to walk their dogs). One family, relocating from Alaska, lived in one of my furnished homes just long enough to fall in love with the neighborhood, and bought a wonderful large historic home just a few blocks away. Their plans changed so dramatically just from the experience of living in this coveted neighborhood.

How may I contact you about your rental price?

[fluffydelusions]

Originally Posted by makishadondistu

How may I contact you about your rental price?

That post was from 2009 though...

[Drew8888]

Originally Posted by Sandy Nelson

Pomona,
If you're interested, the neighborhood has a website at www.southcapitolneighborhood.com

Umm, that webpage is for South Perth, Western Australia.