"New Urbanism" - a trend coming to a city near you.

Have you come across the term "New Urbanism"? Not sure what it means? It refers to the new concept that is actually an old concept, of living in close proximity to the city. Communities used to naturally develop around a city core, but then extended into suburban sprawl. With land getting sparser, traffic getting denser and the cost of gas going higher, the idea of living in the city is gaining popularity again. The city offers amenities that are easily reached by public transportation or by foot, smaller yards with low maintenance, and close proximity to neighbors. Since lots in the city are small and priced at top dollar, "urbanism" almost always means smaller homes and multi level building. The advantages of this are lower energy costs and less home maintenance. Other positive side effects are re-energized town centers with a vibrant economy, because going to town for dinner is only a short trip by bus, versus a 20 minute drive from the suburbs, and it means not having to worry about parking. New urban housing doesn't just have to mean town homes, condos and apartments.

These homes in Tumwater show what urban living can look like.
The "Overlook" homes come in several floor plan styles and are around 2000 sq. ft. They offer 3 bedrooms, 2 1/2 baths and a 2-car garage. The yard requires next to no maintenance and is landscaped with drought resistant plants. The intelligent lay-out takes advantage of every nook and cranny and makes these homes seem much larger than they are. The ecological design includes a high degree of insulation, bamboo and linoleum flooring, locally produced cabinets, no VOC paint, high energy efficient appliances and much more. The best aspect of these homes is the rooftop deck that takes advantage of the fantastic views of Puget Sound, Mount Rainier, the Olympic Mountains and the capitol dome.

These views are unmatched anywhere in Thurston County. Shopping and dining are just a 5 minute car, or 10 minute bus ride away. South Puget Sound Community College is within walking distance, and access to I-5 and Hwy 101 is less than 5 minutes.

Tumwater is currently the only place where this type of housing exists in Thurston County. I would welcome seeing more innovative and urban design options for housing being developed in Olympia, where a multi faceted city center is just waiting for more inhabitants.

Sandy Nelson
Olympia Realtor®, GRI, ASP, Built Green
360-789-7505
www.SandyNelsonRealEstate.com

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