10 Welcoming Towns to Retire in Washington

Looking for a warm, welcoming place in Washington where retirement feels like a new chapter, not a slowdown? Between saltwater shorelines, evergreen forests, and those big Pacific Northwest skies, it's easy to stay active here (or simply enjoy the view). Better yet, Washington doesn't tax retirement income. From Anacortes to Hoquiam, here are some of the state's most inviting towns for your next home base.

Anacortes

Anacortes has the kind of age mix that often signals a retiree-friendly vibe: a median age of 48, with nearly 30% of residents in the 65+ bracket. That usually translates to built-in community, neighbors who understand your pace and priorities.

Water shapes daily life here. Perched on the northern tip of Fidalgo Island, Anacortes is wrapped by the Rosario Strait, Fidalgo Bay, and Similk Bay. You can spend mornings on easygoing trails like the Mount Erie Summit Trail, cool off at Cranberry Lake or Heart Lake, or plan a beach day on one of the area's pale-sand shorelines.

Healthcare is close, too: Island Hospital has served the region since 1962 and earned the 2022 Outstanding Patient Experience Award. As for housing, the median listing home price in Anacortes is $873,000.

Tumwater

Tumwater feels small and tidy, with just enough bustle to keep things interesting, and Olympia next door when you want bigger-city conveniences. You'll find plenty of local shops alongside familiar stops like Fred Meyer and Walmart Supercenter, so errands stay simple.

For quieter days, Tumwater Timberland Library is an easy retreat (especially if you're happiest with a good book and a long afternoon). And when you want to get outside, the trout-filled Deschutes River adds a strong outdoor angle, including spots that draw local boating fans.

The median listing home price in Tumwater is $560,000 (compared with $659,925 statewide in the same period). Olympia also brings strong medical access, including MultiCare Capital Medical Center, a 2022 recipient of the Patient Safety Excellence Award. Seniors 65+ make up a little over 13% of Tumwater's population.

Gig Harbor

Gig Harbor is the kind of place people describe as "quaint," and for once it's not an exaggeration, especially downtown, where the waterfront sets the tone. It's calm, relatively affluent, and close enough to Tacoma that you can dip into city amenities without living in the middle of them.

On a typical day, you might linger at Skansie Brothers Park and Netshed, tour the Harbor History Museum, or trade sidewalks for trees at McCormick Forest Park. And when the weather cooperates, beach time is always on the menu.

For healthcare, you don't have to cross the Narrows Bridge: St. Anthony Hospital (a 2023 Stroke Care Excellence Award winner) is right in town. About 26% of residents are 65+, so it's easy to meet peers and find senior-focused activities. The tradeoff is price: the median listing home price in Gig Harbor is $943,000 in July.

Walla Walla

If retirement means leaning into food, culture, and a little everyday indulgence, Walla Walla belongs on your shortlist. The town's wine reputation keeps growing, and you don't have to go far to find tasting rooms near downtown, places like Foundry Vineyards, The Walls Vineyards, and Seven Hills Winery.

Walla Walla University adds an energetic, intellectual undercurrent (it's been part of the community since 1892), and Walla Walla Country Club is a reliable go-to for golfers who like their afternoons unhurried and social.

Residents 65+ make up about 18% of the population, so you're unlikely to feel like the odd one out. It's also relatively affordable by Washington standards: the median listing home price is $497,000.

Clarkston

Clarkston sits in Washington's far east, right on the Idaho state line, and it's one of the more budget-friendly options on this list. The median listing home price is $386,000.

The Snake River traces the town's eastern edge, opening the door to outdoor days on and near the water. The surrounding bluffs, steep and mostly treeless, give the landscape a dramatic, wide-open feel. For a slower pace, locals rave about And Books Too for browsing and discovering new reads.

You'll also find Red Wolf Golf Club, a well-liked aquatic center, and even Rustebakke Veterinary Service for pet owners who want care close to home. Tri-State Memorial Hospital (serving the area since 1955) is in town, and residents 65+ make up about 14% of the population.

Sequim

Small, peaceful, and pleasantly unhurried, Sequim is made for retirees who prefer quiet mornings to a packed calendar. You're close to white-sand beaches, the Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge and its lighthouse, and the Olympic National Park, one of the region's biggest draws.

Golfers can spend plenty of time at The Cedars at Dungeness Golf Course, and healthcare options include Olympic Medical Center nearby. Jefferson Healthcare in Port Townsend is also within easy driving distance.

The median listing home price in Sequim was $727,500. The median age is 57, and residents 65+ make up about 37% of the population, one of the strongest senior shares on this list.

Port Orchard

Port Orchard leans into its waterfront setting. With Sinclair Inlet, sandy fringes along the shore, and a cluster of marinas, the town makes it easy to spend time near the water. The Veterans Living History Museum adds something special, too, more stories and conversations than glass-case artifacts.

For fresh air and easy outings, Port Orchard Waterfront Park offers a boardwalk and beach, and the Olympic Peninsula is right there when you want longer hikes. Seattle is also a realistic day trip for culture, sports, and dining.

Healthcare is convenient, with Harrison Medical Center-Bremerton nearby, so you're not forced to head into Seattle for routine needs. Residents 65+ make up about 14% of the population, and the median listing home price in Port Orchard is $600,000.

Lynnwood

If you like the idea of being close to Seattle without living in the middle of it, Lynnwood delivers. Downtown Seattle is roughly 20 minutes away, which means top-tier hospitals, major shows, museums, and restaurants are all within reach.

Day-to-day life is easy here: Alderwood Mall (about 1.3 million square feet) covers most shopping needs, and Puget Sound is only about 4 miles away. You'll also find a cozy library, a veteran museum, Lynnwood Recreation Centre, and nearby nature spots with trails and boardwalks.

Residents 65+ make up about 17% of the community, so it's not hard to find people in the same season of life. For healthcare, Swedish Edmonds Campus, twice honored with the Patient Safety Excellence Award, is close by. The median listing home price in Lynnwood is $800,000.

Snohomish

Snohomish is a classic "wander around downtown and lose track of time" kind of town. Between small shops, cafés, and antique stores, it's easy to fill a Saturday without trying too hard. When you want outdoor time, the Centennial Trail is a local favorite, and the Snohomish River adds options for floating and slow-water exploring.

You can also swim in Blackmans Lake, paddleboard the Pilchuck River, or settle in at Snohomish Library when the weather turns gray. (Some days call for a Dickens novel and a quiet corner.)

For healthcare, Providence Regional Medical Center is in Everett, about 10 miles away. Residents 65+ make up nearly 20% of the population. Home prices are higher here: the median listing home price in Snohomish is $1M.

Hoquiam

Hoquiam has deep roots in timber and lumber, and it's often noted as the earliest permanent white settlement in the Grays Harbor region. Today, it's a small coastal town with a lot of nature close at hand, streams, rivers, parks, and easy access to ocean air.

The Hoquiam River is a draw for relaxed float days, and the Grays Harbor National Wildlife Refuge is a standout for birdwatching. Add sandy beaches, local restaurants, and plenty of trails, and you've got a retirement setting that stays engaging without feeling hectic.

Residents 65+ make up about 22% of the town, so finding an active social circle is realistic. Harbor Regional Health Community Hospital is nearby in Aberdeen. Housing is also a major plus: the median listing home price in Hoquiam is $295,000, hard to beat in Washington.

Washington makes retirement feel outdoorsy, scenic, and surprisingly practical, especially with no tax on retirement income. But the best fit still comes down to community, safety, and everyday convenience. If you're narrowing your list, towns like Walla Walla, Anacortes, and Gig Harbor are strong starting points, each with its own rhythm and personality.