One feature that sets Olympia apart from many Northwest cities and growing communities is the downtown district. From the capitol campus to the Farmers Market stretches a hub of activity that gives Olympia a flavor that leaves many Northwest communities tasting bland by comparison. While many cities and growing communities sprawl wherever there is land to build, it’s nice to live in a community that still maintains a central hub that is more than a strip mall or the crossroads between two cities. Where else can you find the combination of recreation, shopping, dining and entertainment that are available in downtown Olympia? As a former Seattleite, I moved my family to Olympia with the intention of connecting with the community; something we found to be a challenge in Seattle. Since moving here in July of 2007, we’ve spent more time enjoying downtown Olympia as a family then we ever spent in downtown Seattle in the 11 years we lived there. I spent plenty of time in Seattle without my family. For fifteen years, I commuted to my downtown job a commute that kept me away from my family for up to 12 hours a day. I lived in two different worlds. One revolved around my family and rarely extended beyond a neighborhood block. The other centered on my job and encompassed little more than the building I worked in. These two worlds were night and day to me; they could never coexist. For my family, downtown Olympia has become a focal point for activities. My wife is comfortable going downtown on her own, something she never did in Seattle. Whether going to the Farmers Market or shopping the local businesses, she’s gained a new level of independence. As a family, we’d walked the Capitol Lake loop, toured the capitol building, and enjoyed downtown dining, the Lake Fair parade, Arts Walk, First Friday and more. There are probably many cities and communities in which we could feel safe. But our experience in downtown Olympia goes beyond that. We feel more than just safe; we feel welcome.