8 Best Towns In Washington To Retire Comfortably

Washington is an ideal state for retirement if you want to enjoy nature without the high West Coast costs. Take Ocean Shores, where coastal living on a peninsula offers wide beaches and a senior-discount golf course. In Sequim, residents live near the Olympic Mountains with lavender fields and seasonal festivals. Then there's Port Angeles next to Olympic National Park and Aberdeen with its arts scene. Each of the eight Washington towns ahead offers its own version of small-town living below the state median home price of about $605,000.

Sequim

Sequim is an excellent place to retire if you want to enjoy the great outdoors and beautiful vistas that only Washington can provide. The town, which sits near the Olympic Mountains, is most famous for its lavender fields, giving it the nickname of the "Lavender Capital of North America." To celebrate the unique industry and beauty of the town, Sequim holds its annual Lavender Festival in July. The festival is full of delicious food, live music, and tours of the local lavender farms.

If you're trying to stay active in retirement, you have several options for outdoor activities. Sequim Bay State Park has hiking trails and fishing piers that make for an exciting day out in nature. And the Carrie Blake Park in town is perfect to take your dog or grandchildren to for a picnic. The best part of Sequim is it won't break the bank, as the median home list price is $602,498, right around the state's median.

Ocean Shores

Ocean Shores is the place for you when you can't get enough of the water. Sitting on a peninsula with the Pacific Ocean to the west and North Bay to the east, Ocean Shores provides beach life at an affordable cost. The median home list price sits at just under $400,000, making it quite affordable compared to much of the rest of the state.

There are few better ways to enjoy your retirement than to wake up with nothing to do and spend the day on the beach. The most popular beach in the area is the North Jetty, though it is rarely overly crowded. If golf is your game, the Ocean Shores Golf Course is an excellent Par 71 course that offers discounts for seniors. And after a day enjoying some golf or the beach, head to Galway Bay Irish Pub for delicious food and drinks and that classic Irish pub feel.

Port Angeles

If having a chance to be out in nature is your number one priority in choosing where to retire, look no further than Port Angeles. There's no shortage of opportunities to get outside and get some fresh air here, especially since you are right by Olympic National Park. Seniors are eligible for a discounted America the Beautiful pass that lets you enter the park at a reduced rate for continued enjoyment throughout the year.

Anglers will find plenty of opportunities for fishing, especially at Port Angeles City Pier & Hollywood Beach. When the weather isn't conducive to hiking or fishing, the Port Angeles Fine Arts Center has an extensive gallery and hosts regular classes for interested artists. Living this close to a national park won't break the bank either, as the median home list price of Port Angeles sits at $505,833.

Aberdeen

The birthplace of legendary Nirvana frontman Kurt Cobain, Aberdeen represents one of the most affordable places to retire in Washington. The town has a median home list price of $311,317, almost half the state's median. But don't let the low cost fool you; Aberdeen is an artsy city on the rise with a lot to offer seniors.

The Aberdeen Art Center is a popular destination around the town, with an extensive gallery of local art and free classes every first Friday of the month. For live performances, the Driftwood Players theater hosts regular plays and other stage shows with some of the finest local talent in the area. And for something off the beaten path, take your grandkids to see the International Mermaid Museum for a day they are sure to remember for a lifetime.

Omak

The coast isn't the only place in Washington to enjoy retirement, as there are plenty of affordable opportunities inland. Omak is one of those cities. Sitting near the border with Canada, Omak has affordable homes, with a median home listing price of $391,317. The highlight of the year in the community is the Omak Stampede. Held every year on the second weekend of August, the event features a rodeo, suicide race, and Indian Encampment sponsored by the Colville Confederated Tribes.

Outside of Stampede weekend, many retirees find themselves enjoying golf at the Okanogan Valley Golf Club. The nine-hole layout is perfect for a quick game, and club members get discounted rates. For live entertainment, the Omak Performing Arts Center always has a new concert or play on the docket.

Clarkston

Sitting on the eastern edge of the state, Clarkston is a quiet retirement community on Washington's border. The town takes its name from William Clark, one-half of the legendary duo on the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Across the Snake River in Idaho, you'll see Clarkston's sister city of Lewiston, named for Meriwether Lewis. Living in Clarkston is affordable compared to other parts of the state, with a median home list price of $429,438.

Anglers looking to snag steelhead trout can book a trip with Reel Time Fishing in town to take a journey to the Clearwater River. Camping is another popular activity in Clarkston, with Chief Timothy Park the best place to pitch a tent or rent a cabin if you want to enjoy some peace and quiet in nature. And if bowling is your game of choice in retirement, Lancer Lanes and Casino offers 16 lanes and regular leagues and tournaments.

Moses Lake

Moses Lake is the ideal retirement community for you if nothing sounds better than a day at the park. This large town has beautiful parks throughout, such as Blue Heron Park. This 24-acre park is right next to the water, with areas for picnics, fishing, and brisk walks. McCosh Park offers pickleball courts and an amphitheater where you can enjoy live music throughout the year. And for tranquility in your life, the Japanese Peace Garden in town gives you a look at a traditional Japanese-style garden that is wheelchair accessible.

Retiring in Moses Lake gives you a front row seat to the annual Moses Lake Air Show. You'll have a chance to see aerobatic performances from planes of various vintages, both civilian and military. And the best part about Moses Lake is its affordable nature, with a median home list price of $418,150.

Yelm

"The Pride of the Prairie," Yelm is the perfect place to put down roots to retire if you want to enjoy a quiet retirement at an affordable price. With a median home list price of $485,492 and a growing community, Yelm offers plenty to do while still maintaining a small-town feel. The highlight of the year is the town's Prairie Days celebration, one of the longest-running festivals in Thurston County. The event includes live music, a parade, and community bingo. If you're a movie buff, Yelm Cinemas is one of the finest theaters in the county. And there's plenty to do outside as well, including a picnic at Longmire Community Park or 18 holes at Tahoma Valley Golf Course.

Comfortable Retirement in Washington

Perhaps no place in America is as perfect for retirement for those who enjoy the great outdoors as Washington. With plenty of community parks, national parks, golf courses, and fishing piers, there's always something to do outdoors throughout the year. The best part is, if you know where to look, retiring in Washington can be quite affordable. So start making plans to set down roots in any of these communities and enjoy a comfortable retirement.