Living and Working in Olympia

  • Tacoma, 30 miles
  • Seattle, 60 miles
  • Pacific Ocean Coast, 70 miles
  • Portland, Oregon, 115 miles
  • Vancouver, British Columbia, 200 miles

It's the Water

Located on the shores of South Puget Sound, scenic Olympia is the capital of Washington state.

The comparatively low cost of living, award-winning education, and lifestyle opportunities create an outstanding environment to work, play and live. Home to a thriving arts community, Olympia transforms into a bustling metropolis during the legislative session, all the while maintaining its small-town charm.

And a lot more

The town boasts majestic views of the Cascade and Olympic mountain ranges and nearby Mount Rainier. Thurston County touts a community college, private university and public four-year college, making for a well-educated population.

Residents enjoy many outdoor activities, including hiking, skiing, biking area trails, as well as kayaking and boating on the many lakes and inlets.

  • The Capitol rotunda peeks over Budd Inlet in Olympia, Washington. [Photo: Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons, CC-BY-SA-3.0]
  • Mount Rainier or Mount Tahoma, dormant volcano and largest peak in the state, is an iconic Washington landmark. [Photo: Joe Mabel, Wikimedia Commons, CC-BY-SA-3.0]
  • From early learning to senior adult care, from Potato Day to Dairy Day, from gun rights to workers' rights, the Capitol campus hosts causes important to Washingtonians. [Photo: Save the American Dream rally, SEIU 775, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0]
  • As you round the bend out of Pierce County heading south on I-5, the beautiful Nisqually Delta means you're almost home. [Photo: visitolympia.com]
  • The Olympia Farmers market offers organic produce, local crafts, baked goods, meats, seafood, dairy products, plants, family entertainment and events.
  • Sand in the City at the Hands On Children's Museum boasts sand sculptures by local groups, master sculptors, as well as kids and families. [Photo: ThurstonTalk.com]
  • The maritime heritage of the entire Puget Sound area dates back tens of thousands of years. The first residents of the area, now known as South Sound, were the Salish people of the North Pacific Coast. [Photo: Jason Taellious, Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 2.0]
  • Washington's Capitol campus in Olympia. [Photo: Washington State Department of Transportation]
  • Our marine climate keeps Olympia green. [Photo: City of Olympia Twitter]
  • Olympia's vibrant arts culture shines from public spaces to galleries, Broadway theatre to street performers, chamber music to punk rock. [Photo: Ted McGrath Boardwalk Mural, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0, www.flickr.com/photos/time-to-look/16980211690]