Why should I retire in WA. and where? (Seattle, Spokane: high crime, colleges)

[HPY1]

Originally Posted by gsc3zny

I am looking to retire in 6 years. I will be leaving Ca and am looking for a lower cost and nicer better run state then CA. I have been looking in Trulia at Tacoma area as well as Spokane. I am looking for low crime, good health care, not a racially diverse area. I am white, so what. Flame me if you want, at least I'm honest.

The only reason I would is because of the tax situation in WA and if so here is what I would consider.

1) Western Washing milder winters and summers - lots of clouds
2) Eastern Washington hotter summers colder winters - lots of blue sky.

In reality, I'd look into Eastern TN. It is milder there than in the midwest yet still has a friendly tax climate.

Just my $.02

[Transmition]

When you say "not a racially diverse area" do you mean mostly white or would mostly black/Asian/Indian/Hispanic be okay?

[Beenhere4ever]

Retire in WA. I'd do it if I wasn't tied down. Might untie myself to be able to do it. I think there's enough variety in the state to meet every individual preference.

[cadence75]

Tacoma has an amazing hospital selection. Tacoma General rated 2nd in country and they are building many more.

[downnice]

Bainbridge island

[Giesela]

Maybe for the OP its a matter of degree. What does he mean by less diversity. 10% non caucasion? 40?

[pw72]

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned that Washington is one of just a handful of states that will not tax your Social Security.

[PS90]

Well, OP, you certainly succeeded in wigging-out the PC freaks.

A comment like "I'm looking for a non-racially-diverse neighborhood" does not automatically make that person a bigot. Especially since everyone's cumulative knowledge of this poster is 2 posts on an anonymous internet forum.

Sheesh. Pretty soon, a person won't be able to say "I will only buy an American car" without being called a bigot.

[lady fern]

I would cross Tacoma right off your list. It does have several hospitals but lots of crime as well.
Thurston county just south of Tacoma does offer property tax relief to seniors and disabled vets but the threshold for household income is rather low. Welcome to the Thurston County Assessor's Office
There are a number of retirement communities in the area, the oldest being Panarama City which has private housing, an assisted living, and a long term care facility on over 1000 acres in Lacey. Many newer communities for those 55 and older have sprung up as well as several full service communities on golf courses. There is no income tax in WA, which is often a draw for retirees. Olympia has around an 8.9% sales tax on everything except for unprepared food. The sales tax rate will vary with each city. Property taxes vary as well. I pay around $3500 for a house in Olympia.

[Brookdale46]

I'd consider Sequim on the Olympic peninsula. It is a well-known retirement area to begin with, so its medical facilities (and those of near-by Port Angeles) may be geared to an older population. Sequim is not diverse and the crime rate is low.