Handsmill on Lake Wylie
Rock Hill, South Carolina
Olympia, Washington
What It Is Like to Retire in Olympia
If you have been looking to retire in a relaxed college town with ample access to the great outdoors and where something is always going on, then Olympia, with 55,000 (2020) people in southern Washington, might be the place for you. Outside Magazine recently named Olympia as one of the best college towns in America. There are 3 community colleges, led by Evergreen State College which creates a youthful presence here. The city is the capital of Washington and serves as a regional shopping, cultural, and entertainment center. There are many cultural activities which is one reason why this town is a popular home for retirees. There are plenty of open spaces and beautiful parklands. Olympia National Park is perfect for hiking and other activities. The presence of Puget Sound should appeal to sailors and fishermen. The area gets plenty of rain but it also has a relatively mild climate. All that rain results in a lush and picturesque environment that is second to none, with Puget Sound on one side and the Olympic mountains on the other. This diverse city has a wet but mild climate in the winter. For more information on taxes go to what it is like to retire in Washington State. Here are our reviews of Bellingham and the San Juan Islands
Where to Retire in Olympia and Home Prices
Retirees can live in town in nice neighborhoods, the suburbs, or in some of the active adult communities in the region. Zillow reports the median home value was $516,599 in mid-2023.
What Is Special about Olympia
• Small college town and the state capital • Relatively low cost of living • the evergreen forests of Olympic National Park • Puget Sound • Procession of the Species, a community arts-based festival and parade • One of Washington’s largest flea markets • Vibrant cultural scene
What Is Not Special about Olympia
Earthquakes, and rainy, cloudy weather with over 50 inches of rain annually, and year-round average of 75% cloud coverage.
Who Will Like Retirement in Olympia
Olympia attracts a community of who would like to live in a college town, who like culture, and who enjoy being close to one of the world's great outdoor environments. Here is a review of another great college town in WA, Walla Walla
Local Economy Is Driven by
The state capital, tourism, and 3 colleges drive the economy.
Climate and Physical Environment
Olympia is located on the extreme southern tip of Puget Sound on Budd Inlet. The majestic mountains of the Olympia National Park and Puget Sound provide a rare backdrop. Several strong earthquakes occurred here in 1949, 1965, and 2001.
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
Olympia has become a hub for artists and musicians, and there is a popular Mozart at a Music in the Dark concert. Theater companies include Capital Playhouse, Olympia Family Theater, Theater Artists Olympia, Olympia Little Theater, and Harlequin Productions at the historic State Theater. The Olympia Symphony Orchestra performs five regular season concerts at the Washington Center and two pop concerts. There are art galleries in some of the community colleges, as well as a film festival.
Crime
The crime rate is slightly above average in Olympia.
Medical facilities
Columbia Capital Medical Hospital. Providence St. Peter Hospital
Transportation
Olympia has a regional airport, with the nearest International airport in Seattle, about 50 miles away. Olympia's walkability is average compared to other cities.
Comments on "Olympia"
Sharon L Alexander says:
I have lived here for nearly 15 years now and I find some of these comments are wrong; especially about the weather. Like everywhere else in the U.S., the weather has changed. We don't get nearly the amount of rain as we used to. I originally moved here in 1963; lived here about 20 years before moving for my job. The weather here is much different than it was in 1963. If you love the outdoors, this is the place to be.