Rochester allows for a countryside home within commuting distance of Olympia
Rochester is a quiet, rural community that offers a peaceful place to call home in the greater Olympia area. "You get more bang for your buck. The price of homes down there is a little more affordable," says Jason Munoz, a Realtor and owner of Munoz Home Group with Keller Williams South Sound, who has over a decade of experience. "It's more rural and has more space. There are fewer people, so you have more of a small-town feel." The community is on U.S. Route 12 just off Interstate 5, offering convenient regional commutes. Nearby natural areas and recreation sites allow residents to escape into nature, while the spacious lots and tall pines provide a natural feeling at home.
Spacious lots provide room for gardens, farms and backyard activities
Homes in Rochester are often midcentury ranch-style or manufactured houses, although there are some vintage Craftsmans and bungalows from the early 1900s. There is little new development, but buyers can find some 21st-century homes. Properties are almost always a quarter-acre or more, with many being at least an acre. The lot sizes make it ideal for gardening, small-scale farming, or simply enjoying extra space. Some homes come with outbuildings like barns or workshops. Munoz says there are no homeowners associations in the area, so buyers can use their land however they want. The median sale price is around $550,000. The Black and Chehalis rivers pose a significant flood risk to the area. Rochester has a CAP Index crime score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Forests and wildlife areas offer hiking and hunting opportunities
Natural recreation surrounds Rochester. "There's a lot of hunting and fishing in the area. Actually, you can find pretty much whatever outdoor activity you want," says Larry Weaver, broker/owner with Dreamweaver Real Estate and fourth-generation area resident. "There's basically endless trails at Capitol State Forest, and it's an hour and a half to ocean beaches and an hour and a half to snow skiing in the Cascades." Capitol State Forest has over 100,000 acres of public land for hiking, horseback riding, camping and wildlife viewing. Wildlife areas like the Scatter Creek and Black River units offer more hiking options, plus hunting for pheasants and other birds. Rochester Park is a green space within the community with baseball fields, a playground and walking paths.
Highway 12 is the spot to be for shopping and dining in Rochester
Rochester's commercial activity is centered along Highway 12 and includes chain and locally owned businesses. Highway 12 Drive-Inn is an old-school fast-food spot serving burgers and milkshakes. Talking Cedar in nearby Grand Mound is a restaurant, distillery and brewery serving traditional pub food and house-made drinks. Lucky Eagle Casino & Hotel has multiple dining options, plus slots and table games. Groceries are available at Bailey's IGA Market or Country Corner Market. Olympia and Tumwater have more shopping, including stores like Costco, Walmart and Home Depot on I-5.
Highways offer convenient commutes throughout Washington
Highway 12 and I-5 offer commutes throughout Washington, making Rochester a convenient spot for people working in the larger cities. "Most people in the area these days commute to Olympia, a few to Centralia," says Weaver. "There's hardly ever any traffic on the way to either town, so it's pretty easy to get around." Olympia is about 21 miles north via I-5, while Centralia is about 11 miles south. Rural Transit operates a bus route in the area that connects Rochester to Tumwater.
Rochester schools prepare students for careers
Rochester Primary School earns a B-minus from Niche, while Rochester Middle School and Rochester High School each receive a C-plus. The high school offers several career pathways, including agriculture and engineering and robotics. Students are required to take at least two semesters of career and technical education courses to graduate.
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Matthew Atkins
