McCleary, WA

Set among the thick evergreen forests of Grays Harbor County, McCleary offers a quiet, laid-back lifestyle roughly 25 minutes west of Olympia. Home to around 2,000 people, the town gives residents a peaceful, rural feel while keeping the conveniences and jobs of the state capital within an easy commute along Highway 8. McCleary originally grew as a logging and mill town at the turn of the twentieth century, and that unpretentious Pacific Northwest character still runs through its neighborhood streets today.

ATTRSounderBruce / CC BY-SA 4.0

Community connections run deep here, with local families gathering at Beerbower Park and kids attending the town's close-knit school district. Every summer, the town celebrates its heritage with the McCleary Bear Festival, a beloved tradition since 1959 complete with a parade, soap box derby, and its famous bear stew. Outdoor lovers have Capitol State Forest right next door for miles of hiking and trail riding, while ocean beaches are less than an hour away. If you are looking for affordable living, friendly neighbors, and quick access to both nature and the city, McCleary is well worth considering.