Seattle : Washington

What Seattle is like for active adults
Choosing Seattle, Washington as your retirement community has many advantages. You get a walkable downtown with great public transportation. Many apartments and homes overlook harbors, lakes, parks, and mountains. Great boating, skiing, hiking are all at your doorstep, as are many cultural programs. Opportunities of every description for paid work or volunteering are all around you.

Seattle (population 537,000) draws in retirees who are looking for a bustling and diverse community. As a magnet for young people (average age here is 36) it has a youthful flair that helps keep people young. Originally a pioneer outpost, the Yukon Gold Rush transformed Seattle into a major city. It is the commercial hub of the Pacific Northwest.

There are many neighborhoods in the city for retirees - old and new, stand alone houses or apartments. If you are thinking of moving to Seattle you would probably want to visit or rent here first to get a feel for the many different neighborhoods. In the suburbs there are many developments to choose from. According to Data Quick the median selling price of a home in the 3 county Seattle market in May 2008 was $344,550 - down over 4% from the year earlier period. Median condo prices were actually up 1.8% year to year at $280,000, although sales volume was much lower. Only 6% of Seattle sales were foreclosures, a much better performance than much of the West Coast real estate market.

W
hat it is like to retire in Washington State. Here are our reviews of Bellingham and Walla Walla
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What is special about this retirement community
• A major city that remains manageable • Great parks and views of harbors, lakes and mountains • Downtown shopping • Charming Neighborhoods • Seattle Public Library is perhaps the best public library in the country • Space Needle • Pioneer Square • Experience Music Project • Fishermen’s Terminal • 3 Professional sports teams • No income tax
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What is not special about this retirement community
• Have to be ready for an urban environment • It is expensive • Summers are a lot nicer than winters here
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What kinds of people like retiring here
Active adults 55+ will like living here because it is one of the world’s great cities in a beautiful natural setting. There is a strong economic base with ample opportunities for work – paid and volunteer. It is a great place for both culture and outdoor activity.
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Local economy is driven by
Big business, Tourism, Services. The Emerald City has a large tax base with large employers such as Boeing and Microsoft in the area.
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Climate and Physical Environment
Seattle is located in northwestern Washington on Puget Sound. From here you can get to the Olympic Peninsula, the San Juan Islands and British Columbia by boat or car. Winters tend to be wet and dark, and summers are beautiful with long, long days.
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Cultural environment
Seattle has a cultural scene that befits one of the world’s great cities. The Seattle Symphony is in the Benaroya Hall. Leading cultural institutions include the Seattle Opera, the Pacific Northwest Ballet, the Seattle Art Museum, and the Experience Music Project. There are 13 professional theater companies and scores of amateur productions. There is an annual Film Festival along with the International Children’s Theater Festival. The University of Washington also has a major cultural impact on the region. The Seattle Public Library is outstanding and a popular tourist attraction.
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Medical facilities
There is an array of major hospitals, including the University of Washington’s Teaching Hospital.
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Transportation
Seattle-Tacoma Airport is one of the busiest airports in the country. Amtrak has a major station here. The trolleys and buses of Metro Transit provide excellent public transportation around town. The state ferry system has an extensive network.
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Facts about SEATTLE
  • State: WA
  • Environment: Urban,Suburban,College Town,Coastal,Lake,
  • City Population: 100,001+
  • Median age of Population: 25-44
  • Avg Jan Temperature: 41-60
  • Median HH Income: 41,001-60,000
  • Average Home Price (MLS): $300,001-$500,000
  • Annual Property Tax on a $200,000 house: NA
  • Total Crime Index: 111-120 (high)
  • Cost of Living Index: 111-120 (high)
  • Culture Index: 121+ (very high)
  • State Sales Tax: Yes
  • State Income Tax: No
  • Name of the Guide: jfb

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 Edit these facts

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1. Overall Retirement Ratings Discuss

1. Rating: 3.5/5 ( 6 votes cast)

2. Expense:
Inexpensive to Luxury Discuss

2. Rating: 4.0/5 ( 5 votes cast)

3. Taxes:
Inexpensive to Expensive Discuss

3. Rating: 3.1/5 ( 7 votes cast)

4. Culture:
None to Cosmopolitan Discuss

4. Rating: 5.0/5 ( 5 votes cast)

5.Recreation:
None to Summer camp Discuss

5. Rating: 5.0/5 ( 5 votes cast)

6. Transportation:
Boondocks to World Hub Discuss

6. Rating: 4.0/5 ( 5 votes cast)

7. Security:
Dangerous to Ft. Knox Discuss

7. Rating: 2.9/5 ( 7 votes cast)

8. Medical Facilities:
None to Excellent Discuss

8. Rating: 5.0/5 ( 4 votes cast)

9. Political Situation:
Conservative to Liberal Discuss

9. Rating: 4.2/5 ( 5 votes cast)

10. Environmental:
Oblivious to Ultra-Green Discuss

10. Rating: 4.0/5 ( 5 votes cast)