Your Complete 2026 Guide to Relocating to Thurston County's Military-Friendly Community
Strategically positioned between Washington's State Capital and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Lacey has emerged as one of Thurston County's most dynamic and family-friendly communities. This rapidly growing city offers the perfect blend of suburban comfort, military-friendly amenities, and economic opportunity.
With a median home price of $475,000, Lacey provides significantly more affordable housing than the Puget Sound region while maintaining excellent schools, abundant retail options, and easy access to both government employment in Olympia and military installations. The city's newer housing stock, modern infrastructure, and welcoming atmosphere make it particularly attractive to military families and young professionals.
Whether you're relocating for a military posting at JBLM, seeking state government employment, or simply looking for an affordable Pacific Northwest community with excellent amenities, Lacey offers an exceptional quality of life in the heart of beautiful Thurston County.
Newer homes with contemporary designs
Safe streets and welcoming communities
Hawks Prairie and major shopping centers
Woodland Creek and Regional Athletic Complex
St. Martin's University and South Puget Sound Community College
From retail-adjacent Hawks Prairie to established Woodland Creek, discover Lacey's most sought-after communities
Lacey's premier retail and residential district. Home to major shopping centers, restaurants, and newer subdivisions. Perfect for families who want walkability to amenities.
Established neighborhood with extensive trail systems and community parks. Woodland Creek Community Park offers playgrounds, sports fields, and natural beauty.
Mature neighborhood surrounding Olympia Country & Golf Club. Tree-lined streets, established homes, and a strong sense of community. Popular with retirees and professionals.
Surrounding St. Martin's University campus. Mix of student housing, family homes, and convenient access to I-5. Ideal for educators, students, and commuters to Olympia or JBLM.
Lacey offers significant savings compared to Seattle while maintaining excellent quality of life
Lacey is served by the highly-rated North Thurston Public Schools district, one of Washington's top-performing school systems. The district serves over 16,000 students across elementary, middle, and high schools.
Private Catholic university offering undergraduate and graduate programs. Beautiful 380-acre wooded campus with strong liberal arts, nursing, and engineering programs.
Comprehensive community college with transfer programs, professional-technical training, and continuing education. Serves 6,000+ students annually.
Lacey is ideally positioned between Joint Base Lewis-McChord and state government employment, making it a top choice for military families and veterans in the Pacific Northwest.
Easy access to JBLM while avoiding on-base housing waitlists. Quick commute to all base facilities.
Strong military support networks, veteran services, and understanding of deployment cycles.
North Thurston schools experienced with military children's unique needs and transitions.
Abundant shopping, dining, healthcare, and recreation options for military families.
Comprehensive bus service throughout Thurston County with routes connecting Lacey to Olympia, Tumwater, and regional destinations.
Growing network of bike lanes and trails including the Woodland Creek Trail and Chehalis Western Trail connections.
Direct I-5 access via multiple interchanges. Highway 510 connects to JBLM. Easy access to State Route 101 for coastal destinations.
Most Lacey residents work locally in government, healthcare, retail, or education rather than commuting to Seattle. This creates minimal traffic congestion compared to Puget Sound communities. The strategic location between Olympia and JBLM makes Lacey ideal for dual-income families where one spouse works in state government and the other at the military base.
Let Next Phase Moving handle your relocation to Lacey with our professional, military-friendly moving services. We understand the unique needs of Thurston County families.