Best Places to Retire

This special edition of Northwest Prime Time features our 11th Annual Best Places to Retire Survey. Read about the best places in Washington that have achieved national acclaim this past year as great places to live and to retire. Some interesting Northwesterners weigh in about the neighborhoods they’re glad to call home. Enjoy.

What’s hot in 2012 retirement destinations? The Sunbelt states still count, but the bottom line during today’s economy comes down to overall affordability. The annual arbiters of best places to retire say this year a bigger than ever bias has been placed on issues such as the average price of a home, cost of living, and tax burden to retirees.

How do the scores add up?

Albuquerque, New Mexico is the best place to retire, according to Forbes. Flagstaff Arizona ranks as Money/US News’ best place to retire. BertSperling.com says Minneapolis/St. Paul is #1 this year. Cities that overlapped on most of the major player’s lists (Forbes, Money/US News, AARP, TopRetirement.com and BertSperling.com) are as far-flung as: Tucson, Arizona; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Austin, Texas; Albuquerque, New Mexico; San Antonio, Texas; and Ithaca, New York.

TopRetirements.com, an online tool for researching retirement destinations, published their 6th annual list of the 100 most popular places to retire. They report: “Florida dominates the list of best places to retire, taking 26 of the spots, followed by North Carolina (11) and South Carolina and Arizona (7 each). Other top states this year include Tennessee, Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi. The highest ranking non-Sun Belt city is Bend, OR at #37, according to TopRetirements.com.

But, Washingtonians don’t despair. Our state wasn’t forgotten on TopRetirements’ list, with four spots in the top 100: #81 Bellingham; #85 Spokane; #91 Seattle; #92 Walla Walla. And our region shows up on other national “Best Places to Retire” surveys.

Northwest Retirement Spotlight

Washington’s Best Places to Retire in 2012

1.Vancouver/Portland ranks high with AARP, TopRetirements.com, Money/U.S. News, Sperling and others. The area has been noted for its mix of cultural vibrancy, character, charm, outdoor recreation and pleasant walk-able neighborhoods.

2.Spokane hit CNN/MONEY’s top 25, which reports that low housing and utility costs along with unlimited outdoor recreation, the college scene, and quality healthcare that rivals that of much larger cities, makes Spokane a top retirement destination. Spokane has been called one of the best places to play golf in the country. MONEY/US News also recommends nearby Cheney “as a place to retire on Social Security alone.”

3. Port Townsend: AARP’s 2012 “Best Places” survey says that historic Port Townsend might be the place for you if you are looking for a small town with a big sense of adventure, top boating, cultural opportunities and majestic mountains a short skip away. They also note the area’s rainfall is far less than Seattle. Port Townsend was also noted twice this year in Where to Retire magazine.

4.Wenatchee: AARP Magazine called Wenatchee, with its apple orchards and ever-burgeoning wineries, the Northwest’s very own Garden of Eden. They cite the low cost of living, small town hospitality with big city amenities, an endless array of recreational options, and stunning views, not to mention nice weather throughout the year, offering 300 days of sunshine along with four-distinct seasons.

5.Walla Walla: TopRetirements.com, AARP, Where to Retire, and others have named Walla Walla one of the best places to retire in the country. Famed for sweet onions but also home to some of the best wineries in the country, Walla Walla offers up small town, pastoral charm with many grand opportunities for the cultural life.

6.Seattle: TopRetirements.com, Sperling, Kiplinger’s and others continually rank Seattle as a top city for retirees. With its strong arts & cultural scene combined with outdoor amenities, outstanding services and unrivaled healthcare, volunteer and educational opportunities plus a plethora of wonderful neighborhoods, make Seattle a “Best Place” year after year.

What other places in Washington made the list this year? In addition to the top six destinations listed above, other suggestions from those in the know include Whidbey Island, Richland, and perennial favorite Bellingham. Hoquiam and Oak Harbor made the list in the ebook “The Top Cheapest Places to Retire in the U.S. in 2012” by Tom Corley.

Vancouver/Portland

57-year old Barb Holbrook works as an office manager, and is looking forward to retirement. She and her husband plan to travel in retirement, but will keep their roots in Vancouver. “We moved here in 1985 from Bend, Oregon [another top-rated retirement destination]. Vancouver has really grown since then, but still retains that small town quality. The downtown has been revitalized and is absolutely wonderful. The Farmer’s Market is fabulous - beyond compare,” says Barb. Two of her six grandkids live in Vancouver, with four more not too far away. “We are close to the beach and the mountains. Being on the I-5 corridor makes it easy to travel.” Jill Daniel, Marketing & Communications Manager for Vancouver USA Tourism says that although Portland receives more of the media limelight than Vancouver, the cost of living is better in Vancouver. “The housing prices in Vancouver are far more affordable than Portland.” She notes that the tax structure for home ownership is also more beneficial. “We have less crime here and also so many activities. It is truly community-centric,” adds Jill.

Spokane

“Spokane is a big city with a small town atmosphere,” says 59-year-old Shelline Totten. There is a lot to do here and I like having four seasons. Summers are nice and winters aren’t too harsh.” She also likes the atmosphere and amenities that Spokane has to offer. “It is big and bustling, but in contrast to Seattle, Spokane is less hectic and the traffic is controllable!” She braves Seattle and Portland traffic quite often since her five daughters and three grandkids all live on the ‘westside.’ “But they visit here frequently, too. They love the lakes and mountains and hiking around here.” She and her husband are retired and travel quite a bit. “Spokane offers so much. And the arts and cultural scene is growing.” Shelline was recently granted recognition for her work as a volunteer at one of Spokane’s many senior centers. “It fulfills me.”

Port Townsend

“In Port Townsend you don’t retire,” says Elisabeth Mention. “There are too many incredible things to do!” 68-year-old Elisabeth was born in Hollywood and worked at the Getty Museum in Los Angeles for 32 years. “Then, when it came time to retire we remembered Port Townsend from a trip we took to the wooden boat school there.” They were drawn to the natural beauty and historic areas. “And every person we met was wonderful. It was a visceral reaction – it felt right.” They moved in January 2005. When her husband died two years ago, the community rallied around her. “It made all the difference.” She stays connected in part through her daily walks. “I love to see my neighbors in their gardens or on the porch,” says the avid gardener. “The thing that sets Port Townsend apart from many other small but lovely places is the cultural opportunities – there’s a lot going on.” Centrum at Fort Worden offers year-round music, dance, lectures, and workshops. Her daughter has since moved to Port Townsend and her late husband’s grandchildren visit from France whenever they can. “They love it here.”

Wenatchee

Chuck Johnson knows Wenatchee. He should – he is President of the Board of Directors for the Wenatchee Valley Visitors Bureau. “Naturally, we have the weather going for us – 300 days of sunshine!” says Chuck. “The Columbia River goes right through the middle of Wenatchee, dividing it from East Wenatchee.” Chuck lives in East Wenatchee with his wife. He describes the beautiful parks, golf courses, wineries, and nearby Mission Ridge Ski Area… not to mention the wonderful walking trails, including a loop trail on both sides of the river with its “gorgeous views. “A perfect place to walk, jog or bike.” According to Chuck, “Wenatchee is a great place for retirees! I think about 60% of the people in our subdivision are retired.” His son and daughter both live in Redmond, but they and the grandkids love to visit. “School is out and our granddaughters are coming soon – so it will be the pool, hot dogs and hamburgers and ice cream!”

Seattle

Chandler Clifton retired in 2010 as an instructor at Edmonds Community College. Since April of 2011 he has been leading book groups and the men’s group as a volunteer at the Wallingford Community Senior Center. The 68- year old truly loves living in Seattle with its network of inviting neighborhoods. “One of the first things to recommend Seattle is the library system,” says Chandler. “I also find the weather charming,” admits the Louisiana native. “I don’t care for unrelenting sunshine and don’t miss summers of 98 degrees with 98 percent humidity! The climate is nice here.” He appreciates Seattle’s transportation system and enjoys the plentiful free music and entertainment. “There is incredible jazz and a wonderful early music scene in Seattle.” Looking for something to do on a Tuesday afternoon? Chandler recommends visiting Wallingford Senior Center’s community café – open to the public. “Delicious food, inexpensive prices – and the setting at the historic Good Shepherd Center is priceless.”

Richland

With a father in the British army, Egypt-born Michèle Nairn Boston grew up traveling the world. She moved to the State’s in 1973, and though she still enjoys traveling, she put down roots in Richland in 1975. At age 62 she is retired along with her husband. “When it was time to retire we discussed where else we might like to live, but we decided that we had everything we needed right here.” They enjoy occasional visits to Seattle and Portland, which makes them truly appreciate the lack of traffic congestion in Richland. “And we find the weather most agreeable here,” says Michèle. “It has great access to the Columbia River. Last year we started canoeing and we also enjoy the great bike trails. Richland does a fabulous job of linking all the trails to the other cities.” She also appreciates the good healthcare system in Richland and the low crime rate. She enjoys the walkabilty of her neighborhood. “If you are from a big city it will take an adjustment to scale back a bit,” she says, “but any detriments are far outweighed by the benefits.” She and her husband are great animal lovers and share their lives with two rescue dogs, Ellie and Huey. “Ellie is the quintessential Disney shaggy dog. Little children come up to ask, ‘Can I hug your dog?’ We’re one big happy family,” says Michèle.

How to Choose a Retirement Destination

What do the experts tell us about how to choose a retirement destination? Affordability, lifestyle, security, and access to health care are top issues with retirees. Factors range from cost-of-living factors and the economic viability of a place to community life and access and outdoor recreation. Familiarity with a place is a key consideration, along with appealing cultural lifestyles.

The experts advise factoring in state income tax, sales tax rates, median home prices & property tax. After that, other issues come into play, such as weather, quality of healthcare, crime rates, easy transit (think availability of public transportation and airport). Plus, of course, opportunities for active retirement lifestyles and “livability” factors such as recreation, a thriving senior center and other services for seniors, volunteerism, arts & entertainment, walkability, and others. College towns get an automatic boost because of the educational and cultural enrichment they offer. Job availability is an important factor for those seeking post-retirement careers.

Of course, many retirees base their own “best place” decisions first and foremost on personal factors, especially a sense of community: familiarity and proximity to family & friends. In fact, U.S. News & World Report (Jan. 2012 – “The Real Best Places to Retire in 2012”) says most “best places” lists miss the most important element – the human element. Staying in your current area close to friends, family and community is the best place for many. Or consider moving to be near your children, move back to your hometown, or to join beloved friends.

The first major survey in 10 years of retirement relocation preferences of the 78 million-strong Baby Boom generation shows that a full third of boomers are open to moving across state lines to find a place where taxes and housing costs are low, that has a welcoming climate, and quality health care is readily available. The decisions they make about where they will retire will have a huge impact not only on their families’ finances but on the communities to which they move. ”As the Boomer generation is so vast, a community need only attract three-tenths of one percent of relocating Boomers to add $1 billion per year in new income to its economy, creating jobs, new business and significant economic opportunities.

These articles appeared in the July/August 2012 issue of Northwest Prime Time, the Puget Sound region’s monthly publication celebrating life after 50.