Where are people retiring in WA? (Seattle, Vancouver: sales, real estate, mortgages)

[WazzuCoop21]

So I'm curious to know where people are retiring in large numbers in WA. I've heard that Bellingham and Sequim have been attractive to retirees recently, but what other towns are getting or expected to get large numbers of retirees in WA? Any thoughts?

[LMB]

Sequim/Port Angeles, Bellingham, Anacortes and Lacey are the main retiree destinations I've heard about. We recently chose Poulsbo for our retirement after checking out Bellingham, Sequim, Port Angeles, Port Townsend, Anacortes, Whidbey Island, Camano Island, Mt. Vernon and La Conner. However Poulsbo was selected for our individual preferences--I don't think we're part of any kind of Boomer retiree movement to Little Norway. Uff da! :-)

[WazzuCoop21]

Well it does actually sound as if a lot of people are beginning to move to that area. Poulsbo looks as though it may be a new destination for retirees, considering it is much closer to civilization than say Sequim or Port Angeles. Looks like a neat area. I'm sure the real estate there will start taking off in the next few years if it hasn't already...

[Ultrarunner]

The ones I have talked to have several reasons.

Two California couples retired to the Port Orchard area to be closer to their adult children and grand children.

I have met several other retiree's that moved to Washington because they were able to cash-out their equity and retire their mortgages due to Washington States lower cost of housing. I've been told that being debt free is a wonderful feeling.

Also cited were the beauty of Washington, No State Income Tax for Estate Planning and great outdoors and Plenty of Water and Fresh Air.

[LMB]

Originally Posted by kdizzle

Well it does actually sound as if a lot of people are beginning to move to that area. Poulsbo looks as though it may be a new destination for retirees, considering it is much closer to civilization than say Sequim or Port Angeles. Looks like a neat area. I'm sure the real estate there will start taking off in the next few years if it hasn't already...

We love our location in Poulsbo. We're walking distance to the quaint little downtown, the library, the waterfront boardwalk, farmer's market, doctors/dentists and other health services. We've found many good restaurants within five blocks from our home (Mor Mor is one of our favorites). Central Market is less than a mile away, and Home Depot is close--which is a good thing since we have lots of home projects! There are nearby bike and hiking trails too. For the mall, Costco and other shopping, Silverdale is only 5 miles away. Harrison Hospital is in Silverdale and Bremerton also. There's a ferry shuttle stop only two blocks from our home. We plan to try it soon and take the Bainbridge ferry as walk-on, spend the afternoon at Pike Place Market in Seattle, then ferry/shuttle back home--all without a car! No, I don't work for the Poulsbo Chamber of Commerce!

We're actually back in Orlando right now, packing and arranging for our move next month. We've been splitting our residency between FL and WA for the last several months--we can't wait to get back to Poulsbo!

[StealthRabbit]

Vancouver / Camas / Washougal retirement community has always been strong and is growing (as we all age + lots moving in to be near kid / grandkids in Portland area.)

Benefits
1) excellent choice of medical care in region - including Kaiser and Veterans Hosp. + Adventist, (for diversity ) and Legancy sytem + many others
2) tax free income in WA - sales tax free OR (lot of folks shop for big items on the OR side (excluding cars...which have to be taxed to get plates)
3) huge accessible culture options - and great bookstores / theatre / music
4) numerous parks in Vanc / Portland
5) right leaning, but left has big media presence (and 40%+ vote)
6) ez access to very pretty beachs (1.5 hrs to Cannon Beach)
7) Mt Hood, Mt St Helens and Mt Adams within one hr
8) wind surfing Kite boarding haven (I have several retired friends who are 'Real' boardheads !)
9) 10 minute to a well served (and non-crowded) international airport (trips to Cali often $79 RT via Alaska specials)
10) Largest 4th of July celebration west of Mississippi R.

Varied employment and volunteer opportunities - diverse economy and residents + plenty of transients!

[cdelena]

Originally Posted by janb

Vancouver / Camas / Washougal retirement community has always been strong and is growing (as we all age + lots moving in to be near kid / grandkids in Portland area.)

Benefits
1) excellent choice of medical care in region - including Kaiser and Veterans Hosp. + Adventist, (for diversity ) and Legancy sytem + many others
2) tax free income in WA - sales tax free OR (lot of folks shop for big items on the OR side (excluding cars...which have to be taxed to get plates)
3) huge accessible culture options - and great bookstores / theatre / music
4) numerous parks in Vanc / Portland
5) right leaning, but left has big media presence (and 40%+ vote)
6) ez access to very pretty beachs (1.5 hrs to Cannon Beach)
7) Mt Hood, Mt St Helens and Mt Adams within one hr
8) wind surfing Kite boarding haven (I have several retired friends who are 'Real' boardheads !)
9) 10 minute to a well served (and non-crowded) international airport (trips to Cali often $79 RT via Alaska specials)
10) Largest 4th of July celebration west of Mississippi R.

Varied employment and volunteer opportunities - diverse economy and residents + plenty of transients!

That’s a good list that covers many of the things we looked for in a retirement home. After looking across the country at locations with good climate and natural beauty we looked hard at housing, taxes, and services. We are pleased with our decision to leave Texas for our new home in Clark County.