For those contemplating the best places to retire, Washington may be an intriguing alternative to the Sun Belt states. With easy access to the ocean, forests and mountains, along with a varied climate throughout the state, Washington offers older adults abundant opportunities to lead an active lifestyle in the midst of natural beauty.
Oftentimes when people think about living on the West Coast, California comes to mind. Many of those who would consider moving to the Golden State dismiss the possibility for financial reasons. By comparison, it’s easier to find affordable places to live in the Pacific Northwest.
As with other significant life decisions, your choice of where to retire will depend on a variety of factors and how you prioritize them. If Washington (and Gig Harbor in particular) isn’t already on your radar, here are some compelling reasons it should be!
#1: It’s Naturally Gorgeous.
Washington is well-known for rainfall that sustains lush, verdant ecosystems—hence, the state’s nickname: the Evergreen State.
What’s less known to people outside the region is the state’s dichotomous geography. Much of the eastern part of the state—which includes Washington’s wine country—is more desert-like.
Washington offers a diversity in landscapes that few other states can match, including more than 150 miles of spectacular shoreline; majestic forests populated with Douglas firs, hemlocks, red cedars, larch, spruce and pine trees; and vast, open vistas dotted with vineyards, orchards and fertile farmland.
Situated on Gig Harbor Bay in Puget Sound, just across the Narrows Bridge from Tacoma, Gig Harbor provides panoramic views with Mount Rainier as a commanding backdrop. You can admire the scenery while strolling around the waterfront, enjoying a summer concert in the park or hiking dozens of trails in the area.
#2: You Can Experience All Four Seasons Without Harsh Extremes.
Summers in Washington are usually quite mild, with daytime highs in the 70s in most areas west of the Cascade Mountain Range. Eastern Washington is hotter, with average daytime highs in the upper 80s to mid 90s. July and August are the driest months.
Fall and winter are cool in western Washington, with average daytime temperatures ranging from the mid 40s to the low 50s. Average nighttime lows during the winter generally stay above freezing. While western Washington does get snow, heavy snowfalls are infrequent.
In Seattle, you can expect around 165 days per year of sunny or partly sunny weather (yes, really!). In comparison, Yakima, in the south-central part of the state, has an average of 201 days with sun.
If you like fresh produce, you’ll be happy to know that Washington’s relatively temperate climate is well-suited for growing hundreds of different crops. In fact, according to Washington Grown, the state ranks second in the country, after California, in the number of agricultural commodities it produces.
#3: Exceptional Health Care Is Close at Hand.
When evaluating the best places to retire in the Pacific Northwest, older adults commonly include high-quality health care services on their list of “must haves.”
Among all states, Washington garnered the No. 10 spot for health care on U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 “Best States” list. The ranking was based on three subcategories: health care access, health care quality and public health.
The state placed seventh on United Health Foundation’s 2023 list of America’s Health Rankings, which took into account nearly 90 measures in five health categories.
And, according to WalletHub, Washington placed fourth among all states for the lowest rate of stroke and heart disease.
Based in Seattle, the University of Washington Medical Center consistently earns high marks not only as one of the state’s top hospitals but also in national and international rankings. Harborview Medical Center, part of the UW Medicine health system, is a designated Level I adult and pediatric trauma and burn center. The Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center serves as UW Medicine’s cancer program, and the Airlift Northwest air ambulance program is part of the same health system.
Other large health systems based in the Seattle area include Providence and its Swedish Health Services affiliates, and Virginia Mason Franciscan Health, an affiliate of CommonSpirit Health.
#4: There’s No Personal Income Tax.
If you’re planning to continue working (or if you have substantial income from other sources, such as Social Security or a pension), you may be interested in knowing that Washington is one of nine states without a personal income tax, according to AARP.
Do you plan to own your home in retirement? If so, property taxes are capped at 1% of your home’s assessed market value. And, estates valued at less than approximately $2.2 million are exempt from inheritance tax in Washington.
For some retirees, Washington rises to the top among the best places to live in the Pacific Northwest because of these tax incentives.
#5: Gig Harbor Stands Out as an Absolute Gem.
Fintech company SmartAsset named Gig Harbor the best place to retire in Washington state several years straight and more than once ranked this scenic seaside village among the five best places to retire in the entire country.
For quality of life, it’s hard to beat Gig Harbor. Although the city has grown quite a bit in the last 15 years, especially with the addition of Uptown Gig Harbor, it still retains its small-town appeal. And there’s no shortage of things to do and places to go, whether you’re a resident or just visiting.
While retirees constitute roughly a quarter of Gig Harbor’s population, the area is also very family friendly.
Gig Harbor offers an impressive selection of options for shopping, dining and entertainment. On top of that, Tacoma is only about a 20-minute drive away, and you can be in Seattle in less than an hour. Gig Harbor residents who enjoy traveling appreciate their proximity to the international airport and various cruise line terminals in Seattle.
Balmy summers in Gig Harbor are perfect for all sorts of water sports, golfing, hiking, biking and other outdoor activities. Even in autumn, when the temperatures drop a bit and the wet season begins, there’s an abundance of festivals and other community-wide events to enjoy in Gig Harbor, as you can tell by reading this blog post.
If you have grandchildren, they’ll love visiting you in Gig Harbor. For ideas about what to do while they’re with you, check out this blog post.
Enhance Your Retirement in Gig Harbor: Choose Heron’s Key
As you’ve probably deduced, we believe Gig Harbor is one of the best cities to live in the Pacific Northwest. If we’ve piqued your interest in learning more about our hometown, contact us and we’ll set up a time for you to visit our community.
While you’re here, you can chat with residents to get their take on what they love about Gig Harbor and Heron’s Key.
Chances are you’ll notice that Heron’s Key residents are active and involved in their community—not just here at Heron’s Key but also in Gig Harbor.
Come have a look around!
Featured Image: Patricia Thomas / Shutterstock
