About Olympia's Eastside Neighborhood

Bigelow Park Olympia WA is one of many city parks located in the middle of Olympia's residential neighborhoods, offering a convenient place to play, relax, picnic and enjoy the beauty of nature.

This park is located at 1220 Bigelow Ave NE, Olympia and is just under two acres. Its name honors the Bigelow family whose roots in the community are deep and strong. Bigelow Park includes a welcoming playground area for the kids to work off some energy while parents relax or get the picnic set up on the picnic tables - and if it is one of our showery days, there is a picnic shelter available too.

So even if you don't live in the neighborhood where you can walk to Bigelow Park, it's a great place to drive for an outing at one of the best parks in Olympia WA.

Olympia, WA eastside neighborhoods extend to the east up the hill from downtown, and feature a variety of housing and some great parks. State Ave and 4th Ave are one way east/ west corridor streets that separate the eastside neighborhoods into the north side and the south side. State and 4th both still have some residential properties, though many have been converted over the years to commercial usage.

The neighborhoods to the north are often referred to as the San Francisco St Bakery area - and you know how good a bakery it is to be included in the area description! It sits roughly across the street from Roosevelt Elementary School and is also walking distance from Bigelow Park (named after the Bigelow family who once owned pretty much this entire portion of the NE side of downtown).

To the south of State and 4th, a water tower looms over the homes and serves as an easily spotted reference point.

To the upper portion of the hill, Lions Park is a popular play area and frequently has neighborhood group picnics.

The hilly contours of these neighborhoods provide some really nice views of the Capitol Building or even of Budd Inlet from portions to the north.

The beautifully tree lined Legion Ave. is one of my favorite routes to go down hill to the city center areas below.

Housing in these eastside Olympia WA neighborhoods include some multifamily properties, but is predominantly single family. Some of the homes are tiny (under 700 square feet), but there are also large homes - even a bed and breakfast! Most of the homes were built in the 1950's or prior, though some of the previously vacant lots have been snapped up so that there are newer homes intermingled with the classics.

To give you an idea of the wide ranging homes available; the current listings start at a low end of $119,500 and range clear up to a high of $487,000. The median price for these current listings is $224,900.

Popular for its easy proximity to downtown, the bus line, parks, schools - and the somewhat eclectic feel, the eastside neighborhoods of Olympia are a frequently searched region for buyers.

Eastside Neighborhood of Olympia, WA

Located in the heart of the city, the Eastside Neighborhood of Olympia, WA is a great place to call home. Vibrant colors, active residents, and diversity of styles are some of the things that make living in the Eastside Neighborhood appealing. Many long time Olympia residents are flocking to the neighborhood for its accessibility to downtown. A short walk, bike ride, or bus ride and you find yourself plugged into everything Olympia.

Map of the Eastside Neighborhood of Olympia, WA

View Eastside Neighborhood of Olympia in a larger map

History

The Eastside Neighborhood Association website offers a brief history of this historic neighborhood. They write:

"Originally separated from downtown Olympia by the waters of a tidal slough, this district was first known as “Swantown” after Scottish immigrant John Swan who settled here in 1850. Early east side development consisted mainly of small household farms and orchards. More homes and business followed, especially after electric streetcars began running up Fourth Avenue in 1892. By 1911 the Swantown Slough had been filled, connecting the east side directly to downtown."

Housing

There is an eclectic mix of architectural styles in the Eastside Neighborhood of Olympia, WA. Charming bungalows and craftsman classics make up a majority of the homes but you can likely find just about any style you desire.

In 2009, the average home in the Eastside Neighborhood of Olympia, WA sold for $222,158. It featured on average 3 bedrooms, 1.5 baths, and 1483 square feet of living space. Homes ranged in year built from 1901 all the way to 2000. The highest sale was $370,000, while the low was $145,000. The average price per square foot for all sales was $157.81.

Homes For Sale in the Eastside Neighborhood of Olympia, WA

April 3rd 2008 dawned bright & beautiful, with lovely blue skies. And lots of FROZEN grass. But we don't let a bit of sparkle get in the way of a nice clear spring morning around here, so off to one of our favorite places we went!

Nestled in the middle of one of the city's older neighborhoods, Lions Park is located between 7th & 9th and Frederick & Wilson (map here). It is about the size of two city blocks- 3.72 acres according the City of Olympia parks website.

If you haven't been to Lions Park, in Olympia's Eastside neighborhood, then you have missed a great part of Olympia. Located in the middle of the city, it has something to offer just about every conceivable user! And since it is just a few blocks from Ralph's Thriftway, it is a perfect place for a picnic. And the city does allow reservation of some of the amenities, like for a birthday party.

Some of the park's amenities:
Tennis court
Outdoor covered kitchen
BBQ stands
Exercise toys
Big Toys
Swings
Horseshoe pits
Softball field
Lots of picnic tables
Open fields to run and play on

And lots & lots of trees & birds & squirrels.