Olympia is the home of the State Capital, which is spilling over into Tumwater and Lacey. The state government adds more to the local population than JBLM, which is the home to between 44-50,000 assigned soldiers and airmen. Every year for the past 10, the state has added jobs in the Olympia area, and is expected to continue. The impact on the housing and real estate markets has been significant. Olympia’s consistent growth has come thru a steady stream of jobs, resulting in a steady stream of new residents.

The other big economic driver in the Olympia area, the port, has had a huge impact on the local real estate market, and home sales. The port of Olympia, and more significantly the Lacey Industrial Park, are replacing other ports on the west coast. With development ongoing, and several million square feet of warehouse space under construction, Thurston county, and Olympia/Lacey specifically, is rapidly becoming the shipping and distribution center for the Northwest. Current inventory distribution centers include Target, Kohls, Home Depot, Medline, and many others. Jobs, jobs, and more jobs. I mentioned being close to everything you could hope for. My wife Gayle and I have been here for almost 20 years, and we are finding new things to do all the time. (Get one of our relo packets, lots of recreation material). From Olympia, it is about an hour to the coast, with tourist and fishing towns. An hour in the other direction puts you in the mountains. Good skiing within 2 hours, great skiing is 3 hours. Mt Rainier is an hour, and St Helens is about the same. Seattle…an hour north, Portland…1 ½ hours south. There is so much more…MWR rec facilities, white water rafting….get a relo packet!

If you are coming to JBLM, I recommend a hard comparison of areas (and real estate) to the north, as well as south, of post. South is more rural, smaller towns, less crime, etc. Tacoma a suburbs equals big city and what goes with that. Don’t get me wrong, the Olympia/Lacey/Tumwater complex has over 100K population, so it has all services, just not the congestion and “density” of Tacoma and Suburbs.

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Real estate and home sales in Olympia (and all areas within 30 min of JBLM) is what I do. I pretty much exclusively work with the soldiers and airmen of JBLM, prior service and retirees . The services that I offer are not typical of most realtors, because of the nature of military relocations. I employ several local residents, not real estate agents, who support me…and you in your search for a home. Our Relocation Sponsor Heather Rowell assists (often works with spouses) regarding employment, schools, area knowledge, and activities. She also spends a portion of her day (again, often working with spouses) searching for homes in good neighborhoods. She knows the real estate market better than most realtors, will learn what you like and don’t like, and has a personality…unlike an auto-spam listing generator.

Please call or email if there is more we can do to help with your house hunt. I am available with advice on anything from VA loans  to military clauses…360-970-9977, phil@philsharphomes.com.