OK so Household incomes average around $76,930 in Olympia. With a population of 55,583, Olympia is a smaller city. Median household income is $76,930, which feels about average for the area. Crime rate is something to consider -Olympia sits at 476.7 per 100K. The food scene here is surprisingly good. Downtown has improved a lot in recent years.
Pros:
- Easy commute
- Good healthcare facilities
- Strong sense of community
- Active local events
Cons:
- Sprawl everywhere
- Lack of diversity
- Few job opportunities in some fields
- Poor road conditions
- Homelessness issues downtown
Night life is decent if you know the right spots. The suburbs are where most families end up. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. The weather takes some getting used to. The suburbs are where most families end up. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. There's a real sense of community in certain neighborhoods. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. The city has invested a lot in new development. Honestly, I think it's a great place if you know where to look. Property taxes are high but you get good services. People here are genuinely friendly, not just surface-level. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. Cost of living is definitely rising, but still manageable. Traffic can be rough during rush hour, no sugarcoating that. It's a very car-dependent city, for better or worse. The suburbs are where most families end up. It's not perfect, but the community is solid. The weather takes some getting used to. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. Public transit needs a lot of work honestly. I'd say it's better for families than young singles. It's changing fast -some good, some not so much. The parks and outdoor areas are a huge plus.
7 upvotes
29 Replies
Santiago Ward
Gonna give a different perspective here since most replies seem surprisingly good.
I've been here 13 years and it was the best decision I ever made. The thing nobody mentions is cultural scene. It's established and it affects daily life more than you'd think.
That said, the school system is legit. And if you're into rock climbing, this place is challenging.
Neighborhood matters A LOT here. The Pine Hills side vs the Midtown side are basically different cities. Make sure you visit both before deciding.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
40 upvotes
omahachef2024
The food scene here is pretty good. Tons of great sushi places. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now.
40 upvotes
Maya Roberts
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Uptown for 12 years. Moved from New York for weather. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is hit or miss. We bought in 2020 at k and it's now worth up a bit than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 3-bed in a safe area. Older homes are where the value is.
**Employment:**
healthcare is strong here. real estate is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are wild for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. The outdoor scene is pretty good - we have desert landscapes within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Uptown schools are solid. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Nightlife is limited. Not very walkable outside downtown. And job market can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For singles, I'd say this is a 5/10. Would recommend to anyone considering it.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
40 upvotes
boston_serenity
literally same
36 upvotes
Mason Ross
Hot take but I have mixed feelings honestly. I know a lot of people disagree but after 6 years here, that's my honest assessment.
33 upvotes
Roman Lopez
wish I knew this sooner
30 upvotes
John Cook
interesting, hadn't considered that
30 upvotes
Aria Diaz
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a project manager who relocated here from Raleigh about 4 years ago. The main reasons were cost of living and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Cost of living is very reasonable
- Strong job market in several industries
- Good internet infrastructure
Cons that are real:
- Summers can be brutally hot
- Far from beaches/mountains
Financially, we've found it challenging compared to where we came from. It's gotten pricier but still beats the coasts. Groceries are established, gas is solid.
Socially, I wouldn't want to live anywhere else right now. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
24 upvotes
Eliana W.
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a data analyst who relocated here from Portland about 8 years ago. The main reasons were a job opportunity and a job opportunity.
Pros I've experienced:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Good internet infrastructure
- Close to major attractions
Cons that are real:
- Can feel isolated
- Homeless population growing downtown
Financially, we've found it tough compared to where we came from. The market is competitive but not impossible. Groceries are developing, gas is excellent.
Socially, it exceeded my expectations. Definitely worth checking out..
23 upvotes
Adam Williams
I'm a lawyer and I've found it's been a really good experience overall. The community is surprisingly good and there's always something going on.
23 upvotes
Violet Adams
Real talk - this place is not for everyone, and I think that's OK.
If you value safety, you'll love it. The weather is genuinely underrated and I've found I'm still on the fence after all this time. My neighborhood (Cedar Grove) is manageable and I feel safe walking around at night.
But if you're coming from Portland, be prepared for the culture shock. walkability is completely different here. And Urban sprawl is real.
My advice would be to visit for at least a week before committing. Rent first, don't buy. And explore multiple neighborhoods - they're all different.
22 upvotes
Wesley Williams
I work in engineering here and it's not perfect but it works for me. The job market for my field is surprisingly good. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
18 upvotes
Mia Hernandez
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 11 years ago from Charlotte and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: If you look outside the main areas you can find deals. We're paying /mo for a 4-bed in East. It's excellent for what you get.
Jobs: The market is manageable right now, especially in hospitality. If you're in finance you might struggle.
People: Generally challenging. It took about 15 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: underrated. Tons of options if you like Thai.
Hope this helps!.
18 upvotes
Raymond M.
Weather-wise, the summers are decent and winters are reasonable. You get used to it after the first year.
17 upvotes
Isaiah White
yep
14 upvotes
Ryan
literally same
13 upvotes
aurora_chef
Great question. I'll try to be comprehensive here.
I'm a social worker who relocated here from San Francisco about 2 years ago. The main reasons were quality of life and school.
Pros I've experienced:
- Friendly community, easy to meet people
- Good airport with direct flights
- Diverse dining options
Cons that are real:
- Limited public transit options
- Urban sprawl is real
Financially, we've found it pretty good compared to where we came from. Older homes are where the value is. Groceries are growing, gas is tough.
Socially, it's been a really good experience overall. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
13 upvotes
Catherine S.
accurate
8 upvotes
Lydia H.
I work in hospitality here and I'm still on the fence after all this time. The job market for my field is better than expected. Would recommend to anyone considering it..
8 upvotes
Kai Cox
facts
7 upvotes
Brooklyn White
I've lived in Eastside for about 6 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
it's been a really good experience overall. When I first moved here from Seattle, I was surprised by cost of living. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Great outdoor activities nearby
- Strong sense of community
- The cultural scene scene is better than expected
The downsides:
- Limited public transit options
- Nightlife is limited
Overall I'd rate it 6/10 for retirees. Happy to answer more specific questions..
6 upvotes
Harper Smith
Alright, I'll give you the full rundown since I see a lot of surface-level answers here.
I've been in Lakewood for 5 years. Moved from Denver for retirement. Here's my honest, detailed take:
**Housing:**
The market right now is tough. We bought in 2023 at k and it's now worth down slightly than that. If you're renting, expect /mo for a decent 1-bed in a safe area. If you look outside the main areas you can find deals.
**Employment:**
marketing is strong here. government is hit or miss. If you're remote, you'll love the cost of living. Average salaries are manageable for the area.
**Quality of Life:**
I love the pace of life here. The outdoor scene is better than expected - we have beaches within easy driving distance. Dining has gotten so much better in the past few years.
**Schools (if relevant):**
Varies hugely by district. Lakewood schools are solid. If you have kids, this should be your number one factor in choosing a neighborhood.
**The Bad:**
I'd be lying if I said everything is great. Not very walkable outside downtown. Chain restaurants dominate. And outdoor recreation can be frustrating.
**Bottom line:**
For families, I'd say this is a 5/10. Your mileage may vary depending on what you're looking for.. Feel free to ask specific questions - happy to help.
6 upvotes
Naomi Clark
hard disagree but ok
6 upvotes
orlandolife2024
I'm a sales manager and I've found it's improved dramatically in recent years. The community is improving and there's always something going on.
6 upvotes
Emily R.
I've lived in Meadowbrook for about 3 years now, so I can give you a pretty detailed perspective.
the quality of life is solid. When I first moved here from San Diego, I was surprised by cultural scene. It took some adjustment but now I wouldn't trade it.
A few things worth knowing:
- Growing food and restaurant scene
- Decent public transit for the size
- The healthcare scene is tough
The downsides:
- Nightlife is limited
- Not very walkable outside downtown
Overall I'd rate it 5/10 for remote workers. Definitely worth checking out..
6 upvotes
Levi Gonzalez
+1
6 upvotes
Ryan Rivera
OK so I've been meaning to write this for a while. I moved here 2 years ago from Baltimore and here's my honest breakdown:
Housing: Buying is tough right now, renting is more reasonable. We're paying /mo for a 2-bed in Meadowbrook. It's solid for what you get.
Jobs: The market is growing right now, especially in legal. If you're in retail you might struggle.
People: Generally hit or miss. It took about 13 months to build a solid friend group.
Food: average. Tons of options if you like Indian.
Give it a chance - it might surprise you..
5 upvotes
Luca Harris
Saving this thread
2 upvotes
Gianna W.
Not gonna lie, the first year was rough. But once you find your neighborhood and your people, it's exactly what I was looking for. Definitely worth checking out..
All Countries
