If you like to get out on the weekends you are only a couple of hours from the coast or the mountains. You are about an 90 minutes south of Seattle and a couple of hours north of Portland.

I'm not 100% sure of Olympia - but down here in Portland it is an allergy sufferer's nightmare with the damp winters and the mold and pollen. The eastern parts of both states are much drier.

Also, once again not being able to speak for Olympia, but in general this area has been the slowest to bounce back economically. We still have a higher than average unemployment rate so be careful if you come out here with out employment unless you are in a field that is still doing well.

Once you survive the winters, the summers are wonderful. Mild weather - no tornados, no earthquakes, no blistering neverending heatwaves.

Good luck on your decision.