About Washington

A Guide to 55+ Active Living Communities in Washington

Written by Melissa McClave 

Planning Your Active Retirement in Washington State

From the state’s mild four seasons to its excess of outdoor activities, Washington is a paradise for 55+ seniors that plan to stay active during retirement.

While cities on the western side of Washington like Seattle are known for their rainy climate, towns that lie east of the Cascade Mountains are shielded from the rainfall and remain dry for most of the year.

As a result, outdoor activities abound! Water sports are popular among seniors, especially skiing, boating and fishing. Head to the Cascades for mountain sports such as hiking and mountain biking. During the winter months, snow sports such as cross country skiing, skating, and snowshoeing are favorites for seniors planning an active retirement.

Washington is also known for its food scene, especially its vineyards and coffee shops. Seattle is the original home of Starbucks, but there are plenty of local coffee shops, wineries, breweries, and farm stands all across the state.

Washington senior community is politically liberal and culturally diverse, welcoming Asians, Native Americans, Hispanics, African Americans and Scandinavians.

Housing designed for active seniors is vast in Washington with options such as waterfront communities, golf course communities, mobile home communities, luxury apartment rental and more!

Should you want to travel, the largest airport is the Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA) offering flights to destinations throughout North America, Asia, and Europe. King Country and Spokane airports also have domestic and international flights. Cruises are available off coastal ports, many of which offer whale watching expeditions.

Top Areas to Retire in Washington

Still deciding whether or not Washington is the retirement location for you?

Check out the benefits of living in these senior friendly regions that are all popular retirement destinations.

Seattle Metropolitan Area

As the location of Washington’s biggest city, the Seattle Metropolitan Area is an ideal place to retire for those who like to visit the city. Towns like Covington are a short drive away from shopping districts, high class restaurants, and all the city’s best entertainment venues.

Nearby suburbs like Bow Lake, allow for a more relaxed lifestyle while still offering access to the amenities of the city. You’ll also find year round fishing and water sports at the private lake.

Redmond is renowned for its cycling trails and the state’s only indoor bike track, all surrounded by a welcoming community.

Western Washington

To the west of the Cascade Mountains lies Western Washington. 55+ active adults can swim in the ocean just off the coast, or traverse the rainforest hiking trails of Olympic National Park.

The region includes Olympia, Washington’s state capital. Nearby cities like Lacey are urban with surrounding woodlands perfect for outdoor activities. Lynden is full of museums and historic sites. Ferndale is a popular choice for retirees thanks to its Victorian homes and Native American roots.

Black Diamond is more suburban with fishing, hiking, and mountain biking. Bonney Lake has multiple local parks with hiking trails and water sports. The waterfront port and brewery scene of Bellingham make it an attractive place to retire as well.

Eastern Washington

Eastern Washington is rich with history and natural areas, such as Lake Chelan State Park. Just outside the urban metro of Spokane is a 10,000-acre riverside park. Ellensburg is rich in culture with art showcases, boutique shops, and even a touch of Wild West influence at the rodeo.

Kennewick and Richland are two of Washington’s Tri-Cities. They’re part of wine country. They are also known for sunny weather, outdoor activities, and offering seniors a lower cost of living.

Live Each Day to the Fullest in Washington

Among the coffee shops and parks of Washington’s cities lie countless things to see and do. Head outside for mountain biking, fishing, and numerous other outdoor activities.

Keeping Busy Within 55+ Communities

Master planned communities in Washington designed for 55+ active adults offer an abundance of things to do!

Some golf course communities have their own private 18-hole golf courses, while others located in rainy areas have golf simulators inside. Community pools in the state may be indoors or outdoors as well, depending on the climate.

Finding Community at the Clubhouse

Community clubhouses in 55+ active adult communities provide a space for like-minded residents to meet for poker games and book clubs. They often host live music and lectures, or painting parties, and estate planning classe.

Some clubhouses are equipped with full kitchens, providing residents a place to gather for special holidays. It’s also handy to have a place to gather with fellow sports enthusiasts as you cheer for a the home team. Washington has a professional sports team for every season.From spring through summer, the Mariners shine. In autumn, it’s time for the Seahawks’ 12th Man to make some noise. In winter through to spring,  the Sonics tickle the boards in the NBA. If soccer is your sport, the Seattle Sounders have games from February through October; giving plenty of opportunities to have a community watch party. 

Exercise at the Fitness Center

Sticking to a workout routine is instrumental to staying healthy. Fitness centers in 55+ active adult communities have all the equipment and group classes you’ll need to devise a manageable workout routine. The convenience of having an on-site gym makes exercise easy on the days where your schedule doesn’t allow for an outdoor adventure. 

Some communities offer on-property indoor or outdoor courts for team sports. These include basketball courts and pickleball courts. Some offer indoor and outdoor pools, for year round low-impact water exercise. 

Walk or Bike the Trails

You don’t have to visit Washington’s national parks to get exercise in a scenic environment. Many 55+ communities have their own trails that pass through gardens or around the property. Walk or bike on-property to stay active during retirement. Many communities have their own maintenance crew to clear the trails of debris and snow.

Off-Property Sights and Activities

Outdoor activities are very popular in Washington. Especially in its mountainous regions. Adventurers can find a place to practice their rock climbing skills, and cross country skiing.  Some pursuits like hiking accommodate for a range of intensity levels, depending on your level of fitness and skill. Washington’s ski lodges are open for business all year round. When the snow melts, they invite mountain bikers to take on the downhill runs. In the winter, they offer skiers a groomed slopes for every level. 

Spend the morning playing a round of golf, or go fishing at a lake or in the Pacific Ocean. There’s always an active adventure near your community. 

Explore the States’ Parks

Washington has some of the most renowned national parks in the country, including Olympic National Park and Mount Rainier National Park. Hike among mountains, fields, and even volcanoes, or ride your bike up and down the well-marked paths.

Be sure to bring your binoculars so you can do some birdwatching and nature photography as well! Washington is the temporary stop for many migratory birds, plus a few permanent residents like the Bald Eagle!

Visit Washington’s Casinos

Washington has multiple casinos, many of which are operated by local Native American tribes. These include Ilani and Snoqualmie Casino. The waterfront Suquamish Clearwater Casino Resort also offers high class services like upscale dining and a spa.

Play Water Sports

Retirees flock to Washington’s waterways and coastlines for water sports in the warmer months. These include boating, canoeing, and kayaking.

Fishing is popular any time of the year .Freshwater bass and trout are abundant in the lakes that dot the state. Anglers fishing this part of the Pacific Ocean may be lucky enough to catch  salmon and halibut. 

Reasons to Retire in Washington

Washington has an exceptional outdoor culture which appeals to many active 55+ adults. It’s become a popular spot to retire for those who want to spend their days hiking and mountain biking at locations across the state. There are also winter sports like skiing, ice skating, and ice fishing. When the lakes thaw, many retirees return to their favorite water sports such as kayaking, boating and waterskiing.

Washington also has legalized cannabis. Many active older adults find that cannabis use is helpful in managing pain and other chronic conditions. Legalization has legitimized cannabis use and lessened the stigma around it.

The Best Community Types for Seniors

Master planned communities in Washington built for seniors looking for single story, low maintenance living range from affordable bungalows to luxurious accommodations.

Age Restricted Communities

Are you interested in living among people your own age? Do you want to feel like you’re part of a community?

Age restricted communities offer residents exactly this, often with the added benefit of amenities specifically designed for seniors.

Manufactured Home Communities

Washington’s manufactured home communities are ideal for those who want to downsize once the nest is empty. These budget friendly homes in Washington are often located near coastlines, parks, and other outdoor activity hotspots.

Low Maintenance Communities

Are you looking to spend less time doing chores and more time staying active? If so, consider retiring in a low maintenance community.

Low maintenance communities often include lawn care, snow removal, and even onsite management. Some low maintenance communities are designed as condominiums (condos), where residents don’t have to worry about maintaining the building exterior. Others are luxury apartment rentals providing a low maintenance lifestyle and the flexibility to easily relocate if you find something that better fits your needs.

Golf Course Communities

Take advantage of Washington’s sunny days when you retire in a golf course community.

Many of these communities are located on the eastern side of the state, which is sheltered from the rain by the Cascade Mountains.

Washington Healthcare Solutions

Various healthcare companies operate within Washington. Many of these companies provide care ranging from routine doctor's visits to emergency care and chronic condition management.

Some of the most notable regional healthcare systems in the state include Evergreen Health, Providence, and PeaceHealth. Kaiser Permanente, the largest HMO in the nation, also operates in Washington.