9 Best Small Towns to Retire in Washington in 2024
Seniors searching for the ideal small town to retire in America prioritize different factors to curate the ideal golden years experience. While some crave serene natural surroundings, others focus on maximizing the value of their hard-earned savings. These many considered factors make the Evergreen State the perfect example of a state that caters to all needs and preferences while maintaining its environmental and financial advantages.
With state tax exemptions, exceptional air quality, natural abundance, favorable climates, and friendly locals, retirees are captivated by Washington for being a perfect balance of all factors that make an ideal retirement town.
From secluded agricultural hubs like Wenatchee, where countryside living reigns supreme amidst endless orchards, to beach towns with year-round Mediterranean climates like Anacortes, read along to find your ideal new hometown in 2024.
Gig Harbor
Known as one of the most picturesque small towns on the Olympic Peninsula, Gig Harbor ranks on almost all lists of Washington's best towns to retire. Renowned for its relaxing waterfront settings, beautiful marinas, and booming tourist scene, Gig Harbor blends natural abundance with welcoming local events and a thriving local business scene.
Aside from its tourist appeal, it is also a desirable retirement spot due to its location near major cities like Seattle and Tacoma, allowing seniors to enjoy big-city healthcare amenities while living every day like a vacation.
Despite being a highly desirable vacation town, the senior population in Gig Harbor accounts for over 30% of its residents with a vast array of senior living options like The Lodge at Mallard’s Landing, Caldera Care, and Islandview Adult Family Home enjoying scenic waterfront views. However, with its desirability and endless attractions comes a hefty price tag that ranks the small town as one of the most expensive places to retire, with home prices valued at an average of $870,000 in 2024, according to Redfin reports.
Snohomish
Snohomish defines the small-town experience with welcoming locals and a heartwarming vintage feel, amplified by antique shops and old-time businesses of its historic downtown. Snohomish is the perfect retirement destination for those seeking a laid-back countryside lifestyle and tight-knit community without venturing too far away from major cities. It has many living options, like Pacifica Senior Living Snohomish. The town sits 31.5 miles from Seattle and is bordered by smaller nature-centric and farming communities like Three Lakes, Fobes Hill, and Roosevelt.
Average home prices in Snohomish are valued at around $710,000 in 2024. Seniors relocating to Snohomish are promised an active lifestyle of endless outdoor potential, fresh farm-to-table produce, and the opportunity to engage with and become part of a caring local community. Whether hiking the trails of the 1,300-acre Lord Hill Park or attending local events like the famous Wine Festival, Snohomish has something for all interests and appeals.
Centralia
Centralia is the perfect retirement town for seniors looking for a balance between city and small-town atmospheres. Differentiating itself with a suburban setting and a sizeable population of 18,629, Centralia is also known for its abundance of outdoor recreational potential with First Borst Park and Rotary Riverside Park being some of the most notable nature-centric destinations in town.
It is one of the most affordable small towns to retire, with average home prices of $385,000. The best places to get a better sense of Centralia's unique character include downtown Centralia Square Antique Mall, Historic Fox Theatre, and Rectangle Gallery & Creative Space. Meanwhile, Stillwater Estates, Centralia Point Assisted Living, and Memory Care, along with the Providence Rossi House, offer seniors relocating to Centralia the advantage of choosing from a broad range of independent and assisted living options.
Additionally, Cooks Hill St houses the majority of healthcare options in town, with some of the top-ranked facilities being Providence Centralia Hospital, Health and Hope Medical Outreach, and Valley View Health Center’s walk-in clinic.
Anacortes
State-renowned as the ultimate small-town summer escape, Anacortes is also an ideal retirement town for senior nature lovers seeking an active lifestyle, thanks to its Cape Sante Park.
Located on the waters across from Sidney, British Columbia, Anacortes is one of the most popular towns among watersport enthusiasts, appealing to seniors who want to dock their boats near their waterfront homes. However, watersport fun and recreational activities are just a few of the town's appeal, with other factors being its year-round music events and exceptional Mediterranean climates with rainy winters and hot summers.
The free summer community concerts that take place from June to August, the Waterfront Festival, and the Anacortes Art Festival are some of the most notable events that provide a better sense of the local community in Anacortes. Seniors looking to own a home in the paradise-like small town can expect to pay $698,000.
Wenatchee
Ranking for its low crime rates and countryside ambiance, Wenatchee is nicknamed the “Apple Capital Of The World” for its endless orchards, and it tops the Forbes list of the best places to retire in the West. Wenatchee combines an agricultural edge and a small-town atmosphere, with iconic destinations being the Pybus public market, the walkable Ohme flower gardens, and McGlinn’s public house for a social setting enhanced by fine dining, local wines, and more. Entertainment also plays a crucial part in the small-town experience, with live plays and music held at the Numerica Performing Arts Center.
With average home prices valued at $469,000 and renting costs of $1,100 for a one-bedroom apartment, Wenatchee is a median balance between affordable and expensive senior living in Washington.
Highgate Senior Living offers attentive care while emphasizing the homely suburban element, giving seniors the option of well-rounded care while enjoying a community of newcomers and locals.
Sequim
Known for its favorable climates and being surrounded by the majestic Olympic Peninsula, Sequim holds the nickname the Lavender Capital of North America. Highlights and attractions of Sequim include the John Wayne Marina, New Dungeness Lighthouse, Purple Haze Lavender Farm, and the nearby Dungeness National Wildlife Refuge.
Despite its unique environmental setting that blends vast farmland with scenic waterfront vistas, Sequim's home prices also play an important factor in attracting retirees. With estimated prices of $521,500, it is a relatively affordable retirement destination compared to similar vacation towns like Gig Harbor and Anacortes, yet it is considered a remote community for its far-out location. Adding to the town’s retirement appeal is an extensive range of healthcare facilities like Jamestown Family Health Clinic, Olympic Medical Cancer Center, and many more.
Hoquiam
Despite all of the best small towns in Washington enjoying a vibrant natural setting, Hoquiam is home to multiple natural attractions that make it a top choice among nature enthusiasts. Seniors prioritizing natural richness in their ideal retirement town will enjoy easy access to places like Ocean City State Park and Gary's Harbor State Wildlife Refuge when relocating to Hoquiam. Hoquiam also ranks as one of the best places to retire in Washington for its affordability element, with home prices valued at $206,500 in 2024.
The town has no shortage of senior living communities either, with some of the top-ranked being Riverside Place Memory Care for assisted living, Channel Point Village for a socially independent lifestyle, and Westhaven Villa Assisted Living, surrounded by backdrops of the lush Fry Creek. Better yet, Hoquiam is 112 miles from Seattle for seniors who need easy access to big-city amenities. The town also has its own top-notch medical centers like Harbor Regional Health Emergency Department.
Walla Walla
Walla Walla is a well-rounded balance of all elements that make the small towns of Washington one of the best retirement places. The town is mainly known for being a significant wine producer, featuring over 3,000 acres of vineyards and 130 wineries. Beautified by a lively central district featuring entertainment spots like The Little Theatre of Walla Walla, the 1907 Walla Walla Symphony, and the 120-year-old Gesa Power House Theatre, there is always something fun to do in town.
Despite being a highly desirable small town and tourist hub, home prices in Walla Walla in 2024 are valued at a fraction of the cost of other popular communities, with the average home price being $462,500, according to Redfin reports.
Trustwell Living at Whitman Place, Wheatland Village a Generations Community, and Quail Run Retirement Community stand out as some of the top-rated assisted living options in Walla Walla, while Providence St. Mary Medical Center is the town’s primary healthcare facility.
Sunnyside
Sunnyside is an agricultural community known for its endless events, wine production, and cultural edge. With 300 days of sunny weather, Sunnyside lives up to its name with desirable weather and endless outdoor events.
Some of the town's most notable community festivals include the Sunnyside Summer Ale Fest, Cinco de Mayo, and the famous Lighted Farm Parade. Shopping and dining can be enjoyed at the town’s central East Edison Ave, as fresh farm-to-table dining in Sunnyside also contributes to the desirable lifestyle.
Locally renowned dining options in Sunnyside include Bon Vino’s Restaurant, Co Dinn Cellars, Javi’s Chicken and Churros, and more for you to explore and find your favorite local spot. Amplifying the town’s retirement appeal is its affordable housing market, with 2024 home prices valued at just $450,000.
The nine best small towns to retire in Washington offer seniors a diverse array of environmental settings and lifestyles that accommodate all budgets. From scenic waterfront views of Gig Harbor to calm countryside ambiances of Snohomish, Washington is a well-rounded balance of elements that makes for an ideal retirement community.
