Are you planning to move to Olympia, Washington and are looking for the right neighborhood for you? Then this tour of Olympia neighborhoods can help. Come along with me as I take you around town!
South Capitol Historic District neighborhood
Where is the South Capitol neighborhood?
Just a few blocks south of the capital campus is Olympia’s historic district with homes on the historic registry. This is the South Capital neighborhood.
What kind of homes can I find in the South Capitol neighborhood?
If you are looking for vintage homes with character and style, this neighborhood has it! It is the only neighborhood in Olympia with this distinct architecture.
As the capitol dome and state buildings were being built in the 1920s and 30s, a surge in home building in this neighborhood began. Here you can find period revival houses like Mission, English Renaissance, French Eclectic, Queen Anne and Colonial rival styles. But the most common is the Craftsman.
This is a sought-after neighborhood and not too many homes come up for sale. For 2020, homes prices on average were in the mid-$500,000 price range.
What draws people to this neighborhood?
Many buyers are drawn to this area because they love older homes, the location to the campus and to downtown Olympia, the tree-lined streets and sidewalks, and residents feel at ease to walk or bike.
Interesting facts about the South Capitol neighborhood
- Many homeowners will offer room rentals to out-of-town legislators during the session for extra income.
- On-Street Parking Permits – some residents in the South Capitol neighborhood who park on the street will need a parking registration permit. But the fee is nominal at $10/per year.
- In 1991, the South Capitol neighborhood was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. If you own a historic property on the Olympia Heritage Register, additional approvals are needed for any exterior remodeling or changes to ensure the changes don’t negatively affect the original character of the home.
Eastside Olympia
As you leave downtown Olympia heading east, you’ll surprisingly be in east Olympia!
Where is the East Olympia neighborhood?
There are two east neighborhoods – the upper eastside north of State Avenue and the lower eastside south of State Avenue.
What kind of homes can I find in the East Olympia neighborhood?
In east Olympia, you’ll find typically the smaller homes (1,000 -1,500 square feet), ramblers, and homes built in the 1920-1960s. There is much more variety of housing here than the South Capitol neighborhood including condos with water views and views of Swantown Marina, and more historic homes just north on State Avenue on Olympia Avenue.
With the variety of homes here, sales prices for 2020 typically range from $250,000 to $500,000 with most homes in the $300,000 to $400,000 price range.
What draws people to this neighborhood?
The eastside neighborhood offers some good finds and value for those looking for a modest home but in a great location with a quick walk to downtown, the marina, and the Farmer’s Market. Notable features in the Eastside are the San Francisco Street Bakery, a 30-year fixture on the corner of San Francisco and Bethel, and the Olympia Little Theater on Miller, which is the oldest live theater in Olympia. This theater was established in 1939 and continues to produce live theater.
Going further east and still north of State Avenue, you’ll find newer homes (1990s to 2020s) and some homes on acreage. This is also where St. Peter Hospital is located and medical buildings and services.
South of Downtown Olympia – Carlyon and Wildwood
Carlyon and Wildwood?
South of downtown Olympia are a variety of suburban neighborhoods like the Carlyon and Wildwood neighborhoods featuring homes built in 1930s-1970s. There is a wide variety of homes from bungalows under 1,000 square feet to vintage estate homes up to 5,000 square feet. The typical sales price is for this area is about $300,000 to $500,000.
South of Downtown Olympia – more modern options
If you are looking for something a little more modern and for a home that is on something larger than a city lot but close to everything, the south neighborhoods are for you.
These suburban neighborhoods are worth checking out:
Holiday Hills – access to Ward Lake, homes built in the 1970s and are on ¼ acre lots with prices about $400,000 to $600,000.
Whitmore Glen – newer neighborhood built in the 2010s, smaller lots but sidewalks throughout, with prices $450,000 to $550,000.
Woodfield Estates, Briarwood, Marie’s Vineyard – homes built in the 1980s to 1990s, many two-story homes, approximately 2,000 square feet. Prices in the $400,000s.
What draws people to these south neighborhoods?
The South neighborhoods offer newer homes that offer a great location to amenities like Olympia High School, Pioneer Elementary School which is next door and Washington Middle School. Shopping and restaurants including the Starbucks in the Old Grange Building on Yelm Highway and Henderson. And of course easy access to downtown Olympia by car, bike or bus.
Vintage homes aren’t for everyone and this area gets buyers in homes that are in the modern era.
West Olympia
West Olympia – neighborhoods closest to downtown Olympia
From downtown and across the 4th Avenue bridge is West Olympia.
What kind of homes can I find in West Olympia?
This neighborhood offers a variety of homes. The homes on the eastside of this neighborhood are the most coveted as some offer water views, views of the dome, and some are historical estates including a 3,330 square foot estate homes built in 1922 currently listed for $1.25 million.
But most homes are not million-dollar estates! Many are 1,000 to 1,500 square foot ramblers building between 1940-1970. For 2020, home prices range from $250,000 to $450,000.
Further west, you can also find plenty of newer homes (1990s+) in established subdivisions.
What draws people to West Olympia?
The diverse housing in West Olympia appeals to buyers who are looking for vintage homes, waterfront properties, urban homes, suburban homes, and like the location to downtown Olympia and the amenities West Olympia has to offer. Some of the West Olympia amenities include the Westfield Shopping Mall, Capital High School, Evergreen State College, Capital Medical Center, and freeway access.
For folks that live on the hill closest to downtown Olympia, they love the carless options to easily get to the downtown Olympia waterfront.
Conclusion
This tour of the neighborhoods and areas in the city limits of Olympia is meant to help you narrow down areas you’d like to explore more. I work with many buyers who are relocating here and have never been here before and this guide is meant as a general overview and starting point.
If I can help you with your home purchase here in the Olympia, Washington area, please call or email me! I’d love to have a conversation with you about your next move!
Direct: (360) 359-0689
Email: francine.viola@francine
For more on living in Olympia, be sure to check out my other posts:
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