Washington's 11 Best Retirement Towns Ranked
Washington state offers retirees plenty of ways to stay active. Hiking in the Cascade Range near Yelm and whale watching in Puget Sound top the list. Add no state income tax and the appeal grows. Bavarian-themed Leavenworth and the railroad hub of Cle Elum offer alpine settings, while Washougal sits on the Columbia River and Moses Lake brings warmer eastern weather. Here are 11 of Washington’s best retirement towns ranked.
Friday Harbor
Friday Harbor is the most populous spot in the San Juan Islands, with a population of around 2,700. Sitting on the east side of San Juan Island, the town has long served as the archipelago’s commercial seaport and ferry hub for travelers heading to nearby Lopez and Shaw Islands. The average home value here is $859,471, but the views from the island are just as valuable. Accessible by ferry or private boat, Friday Harbor has a walkable downtown area featuring the medical clinic Eventide Health, which offers membership-based Direct Primary Care services near The Whale Museum and Fairweather Park. The assisted living facility, Village at the Harbor, and the Mullis Community Senior Center are up the street, providing easy access to Eventide Health. There are plenty of opportunities for whale watching with touring agencies like Western Prince Whale Watching Adventures in Friday Harbor, too. This maritime port is a great fit for whale lovers with a bit more savings who are seeking a slower, by-the-sea life.
Cle Elum
Cle Elum is defined by endless outdoor activities and is located east of the Cascade Range. With a population of just over 1,900, Cle Elum offers retirees a fairly tight-knit community feel, with the average home value at $591,266. KVH Family Medicine has stellar ratings for its Cle Elum clinic, and The Uplands, an upscale community for those over 55, is nearby. There is also the Upper Kittitas County Senior Center, which offers a wide variety of activities. Suncadia Resort is the perfect outdoor retreat, with seasonal activities, and the Teanaway Community Forest offers plenty of hiking and camping options for retirees. Although smaller, Cle Elum will appeal to those seeking a remote yet well-connected area to spend their retirement.
Gig Harbor
An affluent area in Washington state, the average home value in Gig Harbor is $820,740. Despite the price tag, this small town offers seaside privacy to retirees looking for tranquility in their golden years, with a population of about 12,600, keeping things on the down-low. Seniors can expect a variety of retirement communities and assisted living facilities to choose from, with Village Concepts of Gig Harbor, The Lodge at Mallard’s Landing, and Holiday Peninsula all residing in the area. With countless parks in the area to choose from, like Sunrise Beach Park, brand new locals are given the chance to get acquainted with Gig Harbor at their own pace, out in nature. The Harbor History Museum and Madrona Links Golf Course are worth checking out, as well. Gig Harbor strikes the perfect balance between peaceful senior living and easy access to the energy of Seattle for a little change when things get too quiet.
Leavenworth
This German Bavarian-themed town in the Cascade Range is perfect for retirees seeking a taste of Europe. Leavenworth is a popular tourist hotspot despite its meager population of 2,600. The average home value is around $659,000. This town is great for beer-drinking seniors with a particular taste for cultural exploration, with Oktoberfest happening every fall. Mountain Meadows Senior Living Campus offers aging residents peace of mind when planning for the future, and Cascade Medical supports family-centered care. There is plenty to do recreationally, whether it’s a lovely walk at the Waterfront Park or an educational stroll at the Leavenworth Nutcracker Museum, which houses one of the world’s largest nutcracker collections. Although relatively isolated, Leavenworth is a standout in Washington state.
Moses Lake
Closer to the drier, flatter eastern side of Washington, Moses Lake is a larger area with a population of nearly 27,000. The average home value is $364,481, making Moses Lake an attractive area for those with a tighter budget. Pioneer Village, a community for those over 55, is an option for independent living, but so is Avamere, which also offers assisted living. Moses Lake Community Health Center is specifically good for women’s healthcare. To keep retirees busy, there are plenty of green spaces, such as the Japanese Peace Garden, as well as Lions Field for sports and recreational activities. The warmer climate in Moses Lake will be great for getting outside, and the price tag for retiring here isn’t too bad, either.
Port Townsend
Port Townsend is truly the place for seniors, with roughly 10,400 residents and a notably older population with about 40% being 65 or older. Known for being an artistic maritime hub, with its annual Port Townsend Film Festival and Puget Sound Express whale-watching tour agency, this historical port remains a very liberal area of the Pacific Northwest. Average houses here are valued at around $633,223, making this a slightly more affordable option than wealthier areas like Gig Harbor. Port Townsend Senior Living at Cogir and Jefferson Healthcare, a top-tier medical clinic, are two places that can help keep seniors in good health. Not to mention going for walks at places like Fort Worden Historical State Park will keep spirits high. The artistic diversity and the allure of the sea in Port Townsend offer an ideal opportunity for those seeking a retreat in their twilight years.
Sequim
Sandwiched between Port Angeles and Port Townsend on the Salish Sea, Sequim falls on the smaller and more affordable side. The average home in Sequim is valued at $562,161, and the population is just over 8,100. Olympic National Park is about 20 miles away, making it perfect for day trips into the forest, and the Dungeness River Nature Center is nearby for retirees seeking reconnection with the natural world. With a clinic specializing in oncology, Sequim’s Olympic Medical Cancer Center provides appropriate care to cancer patients, while Jamestown Family Health Clinic treats both tribal and non-tribal residents. And, Trustwell Senior Living offers both respite and assisted living services. Sherwood Assisted Living also offers memory care. Sequim’s location offers proximity to top-tier healthcare, but the town is tucked away enough that nature remains close and central to town life.
Snoqualmie
Raging Snoqualmie Falls may be the first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Snoqualmie. With an average home value of $1,122,657 and a population of around 13,800, this is a larger town with deep pockets, making it a good fit for more outdoorsy retirees. Twin Falls Natural Area is only about 10 miles away, and the Cascade Range is nearby, making for some beautiful hiking for more energetic seniors. And Snoqualmie Valley Health recently opened a new clinic just down the road in North Bend, where Snoqualmie Valley Elder Care is less than ten minutes away from Snoqualmie by car. The Northwest Railway Museum is perfect for history buffs, with a restored 1890 depot.
Yelm
Known as the gateway to Mount Rainier National Park and about 20 miles from Washington state’s capital, Olympia, more active retirees might enjoy living in a true small town like Yelm, with just over 11,000 residents. Taking frequent hiking trips up into the Cascade Range, with an average home value of around $489,021, will seem like paradise to some folks looking to save a bit of money while keeping their bodies in shape. With senior health facilities like Prestige Senior Living Rosemont and Easthaven Villa Assisted Living and Memory Care in Yelm, there can be a plan for aging in place. Nearby day-trip options like Pioneer Farm Museum & Ohop Indian Village, as well as the local trails such as the Yelm-Rainer-Tenino Trail, will keep retirees physically and mentally occupied. Yelm is the perfect happy medium for older people who want mountain life with a variety of small-town activities.
Washougal
Located on the north side of the Columbia River, overlooking the Oregon-Washington border, Washougal is a medium-sized area with a population of around 17,900. The average home is valued at $640,872. Black Pearl on the Columbia is a great venue for events, such as retirement parties. Washougal River State Park is a perfect picnic spot for hiking and swimming, while Steamboat Landing Park, closer to downtown, provides beautiful waterfront views. Nearby Camas Physical Therapy clinic and the assisted living facility Arcadia Senior Living at Lookout Ridge prioritize the health of older adults. Washougal is a place to consider for those seeking access to plenty of walking and hiking options, while remaining close to larger cities like Portland and Vancouver.
Wenatchee
With a population of around 35,000, Wenatchee, in central Washington, is known for its rural setting, apple orchards, and proximity to the Cascade Range. The average home value here is $491,478, making it a good option for retirees looking to save money. Ohme Gardens and Stemilt Creek Winery will keep older people satisfied with plenty of walking and wine to fill their retirement days. Wenatchee has great healthcare, including Columbia Valley Community Health Center, and retirement communities like Wenatchee Senior Living by Cogir, among others. This central hub of agriculture, nature, and wineries will certainly attract older people looking for relaxation and indulgence in nature.
Make a Plan for Retirement in Washington State
Choosing where to retire is an important decision. Washington state offers multiple options for those looking to relocate or move within the state. Whether looking for something by the sea or a bit more inland in the dry eastern part of the state, this section of the Pacific Northwest is perfect for those looking to retire and enjoy an endless supply of outdoor activities. There is also some breathing room for future retirees' specific budgets and lifestyle choices, making Washington a versatile state.
