We can't wait to call you neighbor!

You’ve taken a look at our part of the world and thought, “hey, I could see myself living in or near Olympia.” Well, aren't you the smart and savvy one! We’re so excited to welcome you and help put those initial impressions into action.

Olympia is in Thurston County, and is of course, Washington State’s capital city. Eight other communities (Lacey, Tumwater, Yelm, Tenino, Rainer, Bucoda, Grand Mound and Rochester) likewise call Thurston County home as do three tribal communities, the Nisqually, Chehalis, and Squaxin tribes. For those of us who live and work here, Thurston County is ideal for a whole host of reasons, but we’ll start with a few that resonate with a lot of us.

We Love the Water Here

We like living near the Puget Sound (huge source of lots of fun and incredible seafood!). We like spending time on the lakes, exploring, floating, and fishing on rivers and streams. We also happen to like rain. It isn’t a secret—winters here are a little on the soggy side BUT that wet stuff makes for incredibly green, vibrant scenery that’s a whole lot easier to drive in than snow. We love to grow things and all that rain makes for wild gardens and natural spaces. It also happens to feed the wealth of products grown in and around the area.

We Love Our Food and Drink

Folks in this neck of the woods are probably not going to shy away from a good meal and living this close to the Puget Sound and lots of local farms means farm to table is a way of life for a whole lot of us. The food we buy for our homes is some of the best you’re going to find—from the community farmer’s markets, local butcher shops, seafood markets, independent farms, and ranches. That local bounty also means we get to enjoy some truly amazing culinary fare in our restaurants when we don’t feel like cooking ourselves. Our proximity—both to local sourcing and other larger cities (Seattle/Tacoma and Portland) means we also enjoy more diversity of people, and therefore more diversity of cuisine. Thurston County is also home to beer, wine, cider, and distilled spirits enthusiasts with tons of opportunities to enjoy truly handcrafted works of liquid art.

We Love Our Fresh Air & Natural Beauty

It may sound simple, but there’s a lot to be said for being able to enjoy the freshness of coastal air every day with views of Mt. Rainier, misty farmlands and prairies, towering stands of oak and fir, and of course, Puget Sound. And being able to take in these simple joys each day whether we’re walking our dog (yep, this place is pretty darned pet friendly), hiking through Capitol State Forest, traveling a pretty rush hour-free roadway to and from work, or from the comfort of home while working remotely—just adds to our quality of life.

Explore and experience Olympia, and beyond

Just Beyond Olympia

Putting Your Plans Into Action

Of course, there is a whole lot more to why we choose to live and work in Thurston County, but these simple things really count for a lot. That said, we know there are a lot of nuts and bolts that must fit just right when you’re trying to decide whether to relocate—either yourself, your family, or your company—to a new location, so we thought we’d put together some resources to help you put your plan into action.

Work Here

The diversity and economic health and stability of our area means we offer opportunity for a variety of skill levels, areas of expertise and employment needs. Government is by far the largest employer in the region offering fair pay and benefits as well as security. Look for current Thurston County government jobs available here. Other key markets provide growing employment opportunities here as well: higher education, healthcare, public utilities, and hospitality, to name a few.

The hospitality sector generates thousands of lifestyle-sustaining jobs and millions in tax dollars, keeping the economy humming and our communities vibrant. Learn about Pac Mountain’s Next Gen strategies for career development in the hospitality industry.

Find Your Dream Home

Because Thurston County is home to nine municipalities of varying size and location, the types of housing and real estate you can choose from is equally varied. Whether you are looking for a rental property, a new home, office space, or a location to park your RV while working remotely, odds are, you’ll find an ideal location here.

Grow Your Network

Get out and meet new friends, colleagues and neighbors by attending local events, or join a local organization or service club.

Build (Literally) Your Own Dream

Find the local team of experts that can help bring your dream to life whether it’s a brand new home, a remodel or you’re ready to construct that commercial property to take your company to the next level.

Discover Our Wellness Experts

Ensuring you can access quality healthcare is an important part of making the decision to move to an area. Thurston County is home to both Providence, and Multicare healthcare services.

Keeping The Lights On

Thurston County communities have the infrastructure in-place and ready to welcome you, your family and business and make sure your day-to-day needs are met. Access information about local utilities.