Washington State doesn’t offer retirees year-round sunshine like Florida, but it does have plenty of characteristics that make it an attractive place to spend your golden years. Retiring in the Evergreen State means unlimited access to all the Pacific Northwest offers, including vibrant cities, charming small towns, and stunning natural landscapes.
With relatively low property tax rates and no state income tax to match, it’s no surprise that many retirees move to the state.
To give you a sense of what’s on offer, we’ve compiled a list of the ten best places to retire in Washington State. Stick around if you’re considering the move!
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Best Places to Retire in Washington State
1. Olympia
First up is Olympia, Washington’s capital. Easily one of the best places to retire in Washington State, this city offers many retirement communities, excellent healthcare services, and many things to do.
In terms of things to do, you can enjoy the nearby nature conservation areas, play sports at one of the many recreation centers, and visit the Washington State Capitol Building.
Of course, you can also enjoy the shops, restaurants, bars, and attractions in the city center.
Olympia is also a more affordable place to live, with house prices, cost of living, and utilities costing less than the state average.
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2. Gig Harbor
Gig Harbor is considered one of the best places to retire in the United States. It’s situated on Puget Sound and offers a picturesque lifestyle and plenty of outdoor opportunities.
You can spend your days exploring the nearby parks and forests like McCormick Forest Park and Sehmel Homestead Park, meeting friends at local cafes, and playing sports in the recreation centers.
Admittedly, the tax burden, cost of living, and house prices in Gig Harbor are higher, but the extra costs are worth it. You can choose from a wide range of retirement communities offering independent and assisted living, and you’ll have access to several world-class medical centers.
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3. Yakima
Located in central Washington’s Yakima Valley, Yakima is a great option if you dream of spending your retirement sipping wine at wineries, watching sports, enjoying festivals, and exploring the great outdoors.
Fun festivals such as the Washington State Fair occur yearly, the Capitol Theater hosts shows regularly, and Yakima Area Arboretum’s Botanical Garden is a relaxing place to walk.
As far as the standard of living is concerned, Yakima is also an excellent option. The cost of living falls below the national average, housing is more affordable, and two hospitals and multiple retirement communities offer independent, assisted, and memory care living.
4. Hoquiam
Hoquiam offers all the perks of retired life in Washington State without the expensive Seattle price tags. This gorgeous Grays Harbor County town features breathtaking scenery, historic attractions, well-maintained hiking trails, vibrant art galleries, and quirky breweries where you can grab a cold beer with friends.
Simply put, you’ll never get bored or struggle to find things to do in Hoquiam.
That’s not all that’s good about Hoquiam either! This charming town also has a cost of living that’s more than 20% lower than the state average, so your money will go further.
To top things off, the town has many medical centers and a wide range of senior living neighborhoods/communities.
5. Wenatchee
If you’re looking for an inexpensive place to retire with plenty of things to see and do, Wenatchee could be perfect. With a favorable cost of living, low taxes, and affordable housing, Wenatchee is ideal for retirees on a budget.
It’s also a solid option for nature enthusiasts, as the city is home to stunning mountain scenery, a pleasant climate, and the Columbia River. Some of the most popular things to do in Wenatchee include hiking, boating, fishing, and golfing.
Factor in a healthy economy, sufficient medical providers, a low crime rate, and multiple retirement communities, and it’s no surprise this city is a popular choice for retirees.
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos
6. Sequim
If you want to surround yourself with other retirees, move to Sequim. Sequim has the highest percentage of residents age 65 and older on this list at about 37%. Therefore, the city has plenty of retirement communities to choose from.
There are 1.34 retirement communities per 1,000 residents. You’ll also have easy access to recreation centers, of which there are 1.94 per 1,000 residents.
Better yet, Sequim’s tax burden is around the state average, and there are almost seven medical centers per 1,000 residents.
Popular attractions in the city include Purple Haze Lavender Farm, John Wayne Marina, and Dungeness River Nature Center.
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos
7. Walla Walla
Next up is Walla Walla, one of the best places to retire in Washington State if you’re a wine enthusiast. This quaint small town in Southeastern Washington is famous for its award-winning vineyards and wineries.
Therefore, you can spend your golden years sampling local wines, enjoying the scenery, and indulging in the finer things in life.
Walla Walla is an affordable place to retire. Taxes, healthcare, housing, utilities, and transportation all fall below the national average.
For retirees, Walla Walla offers access to multiple retirement communities, excellent healthcare options, and several recreation centers.
8. Federal Way
Federal Way is one of the best places to retire in Washington State if you love big city life. Conveniently located within the Seattle metropolitan area, you’ll have access to all the perks of the city while living somewhere with a dense suburban feel.
Federal Way has countless cafes, restaurants, parks, and activities, so you’ll never get bored. When not indulging in city life, enjoy the great outdoors at PowellsWood Garden, Dash Point State Park, and West Hybloes Wetlands Park.
Federal Way has some of the best retirement communities in the state, namely the Village Green Senior Living, which offers a comfortable, active, and rewarding lifestyle.
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos
9. West Seattle
West Seattle is another great option if you enjoy big-city life. It often ranks highly for overall livability due to the wide range of facilities, high standard of living, many parks, and local recreation.
The sheer volume of world-class medical centers and the melting pot of different cultures help, too. Nature trails and waterways surround this urban center, meaning retirees can stay fit and healthy.
Aside from having everything retirees need to live happily and healthily, West Seattle has many things to do. Popular attractions include Alki Beach Park, West Seattle Farmers Market, and Admiral Theater.
Photo Credit: Deposit Photos
10. Sunnyside
The final Washington State retirement destination we have for you is Sunnyside, a quaint town tucked away in Yakima County. Sunnyside is a top choice for retirees who seek a little bit of everything but somewhere quieter.
Offering an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, Sunnyside has good vibes and a hometown feel. You can spend your golden years relaxing in the parks, exploring local history, and tucking into local wines at Steppe Cellars Winery.
Sunnyside offers all the amenities retirees need, including several medical centers, recreation centers, and retirement communities offering independent and assisted living. To top things off, the cost of living is 28% lower than the national average!
The Bottom Line About the Best Places to Retire in Washington State
So, what do you think of our list of the best places to retire in Washington State? Is Washington State somewhere you could see yourself spending your golden years?
In our opinion, Washington State offers everything retirees need to live a fulfilling retirement. However, there might be somewhere else you prefer to live.
With that in mind, why don’t you read some of our other retirement destination articles so you can narrow down your options?
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Jack Bolton is a content writer and blogger from the UK. He has a strong passion for travel and has an endless bucket list that he’s making his way through!
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