Northwest Best Places to Retire Annual 'Round-Up'

Each year, Northwest Prime Time summarizes national “Best Places to Retire” lists for notable Northwest locations that achieved national acclaim as great places to live and retire. AARP defines a livable community as one with affordable and appropriate housing, a supportive community and services and adequate mobility options – all of which together facilitate personal independence and the engagement of residents in civic and social life. It’s a place where people can get to where they want to go, living comfortably and in good health, and being able to remain active and engaged. Importantly, the elements that make a community livable are useful for people of all ages, not just Americans 50-plus.

The organizations that rank best places to retire typically look at such factors as a strong local economy, low cost-of-living, scenic beauty and outdoor recreation, climate, access to quality healthcare, housing, transportation, services for seniors, healthy infrastructure, being near a major university, walkability and other active lifestyle considerations, and having dynamic downtowns with an array of dining, shopping and cultural experiences.

Read on to learn what topped the national lists in 2017 for “Best Places” in Washington State retirement destinations.

This year, Forbes ranked Wenatchee as one of the top 25 ‘Best Places to Retire” in the country. They call Wenatchee a scenic, sunny small city with good doctors, low crime rate and low cost-of-living

Forbes came out with their annual list in April. This year’s report, “25 Best Places to Retire in 2017” recommends ONE Washington State city. They write: Around four million Americans are retiring each year and several times that number are thinking about it. Retirement often means living on less income, but it also presents the chance to relocate to an area with lower costs or one that better suits your retirement plans—whether they involve recreation, culture, education, volunteering, being closer to family or even working part-time. In Forbes’ The 25 Best Places To Retire list, college towns beat coastal towns this year. Their picks are located in 20 states and across all four continental time zones. While the list includes big and small cities, and skews a bit toward warm or moderate climates, hardier climates have their advocates, especially since such places often fare better on the Milken Institute’s Best Cities for Successful Aging (successfulaging. milkeninstitute.org), which rates communities on how well they meet needs in a variety of areas including health care, transportation and community engagement. So…TA DA… Wenatchee has bragging rights about being a ‘best place’ – the only city in Washington State on Forbes’ list – right along with the likes of Savannah Georgia, Boise Idaho, Colorado Springs Colorado, Green Valley Arizona and Port Charlotte Florida. Forbes describes Wenatchee – the Apple Capital of the World – as a scenic, sunny Columbia River city of 33,000. PROS: median home price is $225,000; good doctors per capita; minimal rain; no state income tax and very low crime rate. And notably, Wenatchee receives a high rank on the Milken Institute for successful aging. CONS: The cost of living is 11% above the national average (but still below Seattle and environs). Only four ‘best places’ have maintained a place on Forbes’ list for three years (Athens Georgia, Fargo North Dakota, Lincoln Nebraska and San Marcos Texas – with Fargo making the cut for seven years running! But wouldn’t you rather live in Washington than North Dakota?).

Seattle is a perennial favorite on “Best Places” lists, but its high cost-of-living and congestion saw it fall out of the national spotlight as a best place to retire. Photo courtesy VisitSeattle.org

While Seattle and environs makes almost all of the “Best Places to Live” lists, in recent years it has been bumped out of “Best Places to Retire” lists because of congestion and cost-of-living issues. Visiting or living in Seattle made the list of the “100 Things to Do in America Before You Die.”

Spokane wins this year’s award as Washington’s “Best Place to Retire” – it was cited most often in the national “Best Places” surveys. Spokane’s advantages: lower cost-of-living, abundant sunshine, high-quality medical care, cultural and educational amenities, easy access to nature, 33 golf courses and more than 20 wineries (with only half the rainfall of Seattle)

Spokane wins this year’s award for being cited most often in the national ‘Best Places to Retire’ surveys. Kiplinger. com lists Spokane as one of their “top cheapest places where you’ll actually want to retire,” not only because of its affordability but because of access to nature including mountains, lakes and rivers, 33 golf courses, and numerous wineries, breweries and distilleries. US News & World Report also calls Spokane one of the top places to retire in the country on a modest budget. “Spokane might be best suited to active retirees who love the outdoors.” They note several nearby ski resorts, high performing hospitals and a low median cost of living. Time magazine rated Spokane as the best in the west for the top 10 cities to retire – again, the only Washington State city to make the list. They cite Spokane’s affordability, including the tax burden, access to high quality health care, and the benefits of being a university town. “There is always something interesting going on her,” says Wayne Sheehan, 76, who moved to Spokane from Texas in 2014 with his wife Marilu. The downside: Spokane can feel somewhat remote, especially for those wanting to travel.

Niche.com lists Vancouver as Washington's top city to retire

Niche.com lists Vancouver as Washington’s top city to retire, followed by Bellevue, Spokane, Tacoma, Seattle, Kent, Everett, Carlsborg (near Sequim) and Grays Harbor’s Aberdeen Gardens. Redfin calls the Woodbridge neighborhood of Bellevue the second “hottest” neighborhood in the country, while the Wall Street Journal said the San Juan Islands has “the hottest luxury home market in the country.” Business Advice Source said Bellingham is the third best place to live in America (Northfield, Minnesota topped their list). US News called Jefferson County (think Port Townsend) as a retirement haven.

Where to Retire magazine has highlighted several Washington State towns and cities this past year. They advise taking a road trip to the sunny south-central Washington cities of Ellensburg, Tri- Cities and Walla Walla to check out these popular retirement destinations. Where to Retire highlights the tax-friendly benefits of living in Vancouver, Washington. Wenatchee was recommended, in part, for its revitalized and thriving downtown. Head to Port Angeles, they proclaim, for a multifaceted outdoor life, and Port Townsend was featured for it’s “balmy beach locale.”

According to Wallethub.com, Washington has one of America’s best economies, is a top “Greenest” state, and is considered the sixth “Safest State in America” (Vermont is #1). Seattle is one of the top “Healthiest Cities” and Washington is considered a top “Happiest State” despite the gray skies! SeniorAdvice. com lists Seattle as a top gay-friendly retirement destination.

Despite all the raves and reviews of far-flung places, being near family and friends always ranks as the very best retirement destination for most retirees. Wherever your retirement takes you, Northwest Prime Time wishes you a happy and healthy adventure.