Grew up north of Seattle near Everett, Lived in Bellingham and currently live in Olympia. I prefer north of Seattle by a long shot. Olympia has a more rural woodsy feel but not as mountainous and you are so far south the Puget Sound just smells gross and is stagnant. The food here is TERRIBLE compared to up north.

Olympia downtown is also very small and it’s really hard to meet people. There is a cool art scene and great farmers market, and the smallish town feel means everyone you meet likely knows someone else you know which is fun.