Lacey, WA

Sitting directly east of Olympia, Lacey gives newcomers a comfortable, quiet suburban base with quick access to the broader Puget Sound region. A big part of what makes the city easy to love is how connected it feels by bike and foot. The paved Karen Fraser Woodland Trail cuts right through central neighborhoods, linking up with the sprawling 23-mile Chehalis Western Trail. Along the way, Depot Park serves as a lively neighborhood hub, featuring a replica train station, a popular playground, and open lawns that host evening night markets packed with local food trucks, craft vendors, and live music.

ATTRWalter Siegmund (talk) / CC BY-SA 3.0

Getting around Lacey is simple, whether you are running errands or heading out for a commute along Interstate 5. Most daily shopping, dining, and medical offices are clustered along main routes like Martin Way, Pacific Avenue, and up in the bustling Hawks Prairie area. For public transportation, Intercity Transit operates out of the Lacey Transit Center, connecting you directly to Olympia, Tumwater, and nearby towns. Even better for your budget, local bus routes are completely fare-free, making it easy to hop on and explore neighboring communities without worrying about tickets or transit cards.

ATTROlympiaBuebird / CC BY-SA 4.0

At the heart of the community is Saint Martin’s University, a private Benedictine school established in the late 1800s. The campus brings classic Pacific Northwest college-town charm to Lacey, with historic brick buildings surrounded by tall evergreen woods. Locals often visit the campus for college athletic events, theatrical performances, and seasonal festivals. Surrounding the university are established residential neighborhoods, newer housing developments, and plenty of quiet pockets that make settling down here appealing.

ATTROlympiaBuebird / CC BY-SA 4.0

Community events and outdoor scenery keep weekends busy throughout the year. Huntamer Park in the civic center is the place to be during the warmer months, drawing crowds for the Lacey in Tune concert series, daytime kids' shows, and outdoor movie nights. If you enjoy hiking and birdwatching, the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge sits just a few minutes northeast of town. Its famous mile-long wooden boardwalk stretches over tidal flats and wetlands where the Nisqually River meets Puget Sound, offering fantastic views of herons, seals, and seasonal wildlife.