I didn't want to move. But it didn't take long for Leah to see city living in a pleasing light. And I'm able to walk to the Capital Mall. It's a lot of fun. The reasons given by the Hitchenses for embracing the urban lifestyle embody what Olympia is trying to achieve, says Steve Hall, assistant city manager.
Urban living is an opportunity for people to connect.
The Growth Management Act is about building communities, not just building homes. There are other practical reasons why the Hitchenses moved. Dave Hitchens, a professor at The Evergreen State College, also says he won't miss all the yard work he left behind. And, he says, being hooked up to city water and sewer service is a lot better than trying to maintain a septic system and a private well. Hitchens' comments echo one of the goals of the state Growth Management Act, which is to funnel growth into urban areas served by sewer and water utilities.