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| What Port Townsend is like for active adults |
Port Townsend Washington is located on the extreme northeastern tip of the Olympic Peninsula, just across Puget Sound from Seattle. Port Townsend was a thriving port settlement before Seattle was founded - unfortunately the Union Pacific Railroad bypassed it, sending the thriving community into an economic tailspin. While bad for the people who lived here then, this event was serendipitous for the many baby boomer retirees who are now thinking about making it their retirement community.
The reason is that Port Townsend had an incomparable stock of great Victorian buildings and houses that were never "remodeled" (read: butchered). Port Townsend is considered one of the prettiest towns anywhere, and keeps getting named to all of the "best 100 places to retire lists". Most of the town is preserved as a national historic district. It has an incomparable setting on the water and with views of the Cascade Mountains to the east and the Olympic Mountains on its west. Along Water Street the lovely brick buildings are home to bed and breakfasts, restaurants, offices, and galleries. Victorian homes and churches surround the county courthouse high above the water.
Although many people in retirement choose to live in one of the Victorian homes in the downtown, the Port Townsend area is also home to many active adult communities. Two of the most popular are the Kala Point and Cape George developments which are about 4 and 8 miles from town respectively. Prices vary in these developments, starting just under $200,000 and ranging up over $1 million. There is also an assisted living as well as a nursing home in town.
A search on Yahoo Real Estate in late 2007 found 268 homes for sale in the MLS for a median asking price of $362,000. Average housing cost is estimated at around $200,000. |
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| What is special about this community |
| Stock of Victorian homes and brick buildings. The town's National Historic Landmark status. Great views of mountains and water. Retirement community options. Recreation in the adjacent Olympic National Park. Named to several "best places to retire" lists |
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| What is not special about this community |
| Once you get here it is hard to get anywhere else - you need a ferry to get off the peninsula. |
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| What kinds of people like living here |
| People who like the outdoors. Those who like living in and around beautiful Victorian homes. Small town living that is also seasonal |
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| Local economy is driven by |
| Tourism, construction, healthcare |
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| Physical environment |
| Located on the northeast tip of the Olympic Peninsula. It is about 45 miles from Seattle across Puget Sound |
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| Cultural environment |
| There is a busy local artist and crafts population. The library is well financed. Nearby Fort Worden State Park has a thriving arts center called Centrum. Many other activities revolve around the outdoors and parks: Fort Worden State Park, Olympic National Park, and old Fort Townsend State Park. |
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| Medical facilities |
| Jefferson General Hospital |
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| Transportation |
| The local Jefferson Airport has air taxi service to various points. Although Port Townsend is close to the mainland, you must either make a long drive or take a ferry. So it can take a long time to get off the peninsula (should you ever want to leave!) |
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Active Adult Communities in Port Townsend |
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| Port Townsend Active Communities |
| Facts about PORT TOWNSEND | | State | : WA | | Environment | : Coastal,Small Town, | | City Population | : Less than 10,000 | | Median age of Population | : 45-64 | | Avg Jan Temperature | : 41-60 | | Median HH Income | : 20,001-40,000 | | Average Home Price (MLS) | : $100,000-$200,000 | | Annual Property Tax on a $200,000 house | : 2000-4000 | | Total Crime Index | : 81-90 (low) | | Cost of Living Index | : | | Culture Index | : 81-90 (low) | | State Sales Tax | : | | State Income Tax | : | | Name of the Guide | : |
| | Can you add to or correct these Facts? Or do you have a photo of this community we could use? If so, please click on |
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Vote on the Ratings for Port Townsend |
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Update Your Ratings |
Overall Retirement Ratings
1. Rating: 0.0/5 ( 0 votes cast)
Expense:
Inexpensive to Luxury
2. Rating: 0.0/5 ( 0 votes cast)
Taxes:
Inexpensive to Expensive
3. Rating: 0.0/5 ( 0 votes cast)
Culture:
None to Cosmopolitan
4. Rating: 0.0/5 ( 0 votes cast)
Recreation:
None to Summer camp
5. Rating: 0.0/5 ( 0 votes cast)
Transportation:
Boondocks to World Hub
6. Rating: 0.0/5 ( 0 votes cast)
Security:
Dangerous to Ft. Knox
7. Rating: 0.0/5 ( 0 votes cast)
Medical Facilities:
None to Excellent
8. Rating: 0.0/5 ( 0 votes cast)
Political Situation:
Conservative to Liberal
9. Rating: 0.0/5 ( 0 votes cast)
Environmental:
Oblivious to Ultra-Green
10. Rating: 0.0/5 ( 0 votes cast)
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