A Good Place For A Senior (Seattle, Tacoma: apartments, how much, allergies)

[donsabi]

Not being familiar with Washington I am hoping for some suggestions on where to settle. I am an active senior who has lived in PA, NJ, DE, NC, SC, and TN. PA is too cold and SC too hot and humid. TN is pretty good. I would like to be near a VA hospital. I like fresh seafood. Can someone suggest a good location for me. Thanks.

[Hemlock140]

Being near a VA hospital is the easy part, and all of the western part of the state has good fresh seafood. The question is how much you can afford in housing. Western WA, especially the Seattle area is much more expensive than most of the areas you have been. I'd consider Port Angeles, Bremerton, and Vancouver as the most likely choices. Vancouver has the added benefit of being 15 minutes to Portland Oregon. For less rain, more sun and hotter summers, and lower cost of living, Wall Walla, Yakima and Wenatchee. Though they are farther inland the seafood is still good, but not as plentiful.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by Hemlock140

Being near a VA hospital is the easy part, and all of the western part of the state has good fresh seafood. ... Though they are farther inland the seafood is still good, but not as plentiful.

Vancouver VA runs a bus to Portland VA. You will have to settle for Steelhead, Salmon, and sturgeon for local seafood. (~$3/ # from Indian fisheries. )

[donsabi]

Thanks for the posts.

I noticed on Craigslist there are a few 55+ apartments in the Seattle/Tacoma area that seem to have reasonable rents. I no longer want a single home.

Is the weather the cause of any health issues? i.e, where I am at seasonal allergies are a nightmare.

[amaiunmei]

Northern Pennsylvania lies along the the 42nd parallel, yet all of Washington state is well north of that point (the border between Washington and Oregon lies partially along the 46th parallel). Given that Seattle is unquestionably north of PA - a state you dubbed "too cold" - are you sure that you want to live further north?

I find my seasonal allergies reduced here; Portland has massive seasonal allergy triggers yet Seattle has fewer of them, IMO. YMMV

[sll3454]

DH had bad allergies in NC. Here he has had mild spring allergies, and his fall allergy season was nonexistent.

[StealthRabbit]

Originally Posted by donsabi

Thanks for the posts.

I noticed on Craigslist there are a few 55+ apartments... I no longer want a single home.

For a NICE place that is quite reasonable for the great location... look into this senior co-op.
http://silverglen.org/. Full market rate re-sellable when / if you have to leave.


Personally, I would be very careful of places in Tacoma. There are some nice ones, and plenty of crummy ones.

Do you desire / need public transit now or in future? Consider the senior services van transport available. I can only speak for Vancouver C-Van (part of C-Tran transit). It is superb.