O lympia is the Capital of Washington State, and is located at the tip of the Puget Sound about 60 miles south of Seattle, Washington and 110 miles north of Portland, Oregon. The scenery is just the absolute picture of beauty where the mountains of the Pacific Northwest meet the beauty of the sea. Olympia was "Cheetwoot" (the black bear place) to the Coastal Salish who occupied the site for many generations before the American settlement was established. Olympia's title of capital was often contested during the early years, but townspeople fought challenges for location of the seat of territorial and, later, state government. With only 42, 530 people calling Olympia their home, Olympia manages to retain its small town charm, while governing the state of Washington. Located in Thurston County, Olympia covers an area equivalent to 18.1 square miles.

The job market in Olympia is very diverse meeting all the needs of Olympia and the surrounding communities. There are many businesses in Olympia that offer a wide variety of services. Such businesses include, restaurants, boutiques, and newspapers, which are all staples of small town life. The median household income for the residents of Olympia as of 2000 was reported to be $41,068, according to the US Census Bureau.

Local sites and attractions provide a wide selection of cultural and recreational opportunities. Percival Landing Waterfront Park has a growing collection of outdoor public arts and historic interpretive sites. The Yashiro Japanese Garden, Priest Point Park and Watershed Park are just a few of the parks available to the public. Historic commercial and residential districts with walking tours, home tours and historic markers abound. The Olympia Farmers Market (second largest outdoor market in the state) is also a popular regional draw for much of the year. The State Capitol Campus is the area's largest attraction bringing in over 500,000 visitors annually to visit the Legislature, tour the stately buildings, grounds, gardens, and monumental art.

Contemporary and California designs, featuring open floor plans, skylights and vaulted ceilings, commonly influence housing styles. These homes also incorporate outdoor living space into their architecture, including decks, sunrooms, atriums and patios. The median home price in 2009 was $242,000, according to the Thurston Regional Planning Council. Whether you are looking for a cabin in the mountains or a house on the water, Olympia’s diverse housing choices hold something for you. Since the Cascade Mountains and Olympic Peninsula so nearby, outdoor recreation is extremely popular here. You'll find saltwater tidelands and ocean shoreline for sea kayaking and canoeing, fresh water lakes for fishing and boating, towering mountain peaks and rock faces for climbing, and protected forests for hiking and backpacking. The Mt. St. Helens National Volcanic Monument is just one such nearby park, a preserved testimony to the powerful blast that rocked this area back on May 18, 1980. There are also many opportunities for a host of other outdoor activities, including golfing at the majestic Tumwater Golf Course or The Indian Summer Golf and County Club.

For the 8,927 students currently enrolled in the Olympia School District, they envision a supportive environment, which promotes student growth and achievement of the highest standards. They build their capacity for success through leading edge programs and operations based on continuous improvement. If your mission is to continue your education, there are many colleges nearby such as Evergreen State College, and South Puget Sound Community College.

There are many special events and festivals in Olympia that are not to be missed, some of theses include Olympia Harbor Days on Labor Day weekend and Dixieland Jazz Fest in July. No matter where you are starting out or finishing up, Olympia, Washington is the perfect place to live, work, retire or raise a family. If you are considering moving here, or would like more information, please feel free to request a "free relocation package" today!