Walla walla : Washington

What Walla Walla is like for active adults

Walla Walla is the county seat of Walla Walla County in southeastern Washington. It is home to one of the top small private colleges in the country, Whitman College. With just under 31,000 residents it is a reasonable size and growing steadily. It makes an excellent retirement community - in fact Money Magazine at one point ranked it as the #1 place to retire in the country!

The Walla Walla area, infamous for an Indian massacre of white settlers in frontier days, now boasts wineries and the world famous Walla Walla onions. The charming downtown is being restored with bookstores, cute shops and restaurants. The main street is like that of Salt Lake City,wide enough to turn a wagon around in. Quiet residential streets and multiple parks give this small city a very livable quality. It is being called by some as the Napa of the North.

Active adults 55+ are attracted to Walla Walla because of its relatively mild weather, parks, ample housing opportunities, and beautiful environment. There is at least one 55+ development in the area. Home prices are in a great range, depending on location and type. Property values are still reasonable by Washingon State standards. The median price in the State of Washington is in the $260's, Walla Walla's median would be lower than that. A review of the MLS shows a few homes less than $100,000, with many in the $100's and $200's. A few grand homes are on the market for over a million.

For more information on what it is like to retire in Washington State. Here are our reviews of Bellingham, San Juan Islands, Olympia, and Seattle as retirement communities. Photo of downtown Walla Walla and Whitman Hotel courtesy of Williamborg and Wikipedia.

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What is special about this retirement community

• Beautiful setting – a desert surrounded by hills and mountains • College town atmosphere • Proximity to the Columbia River and great scenery • Its wineries bring lots of tourists to the area • Livable downtown and small town feel

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What is not special about this retirement community

• It is far from anything • Could become a small world unless you like living in small town

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What kinds of people like retiring here

Residents of the town come from all spectrums. Retirees who like living in a college town are attracted here. Prosperous farmers from this area find this town the center of the area.

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Local economy is driven by

The town is the regional commercial center for a large geographical area. Whitman College, business, tourism are important; its wineries are a major contributor to the economy.

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Climate and Physical Environment

Walla Walla is situated in the golden rolling hills of southeastern Oregon. The Columbia River valley passes nearby. Being in eastern Washington, Walla Walla has quite a different climate than Seattle. It is colder in winter and much drier, summers are warmer.

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Cultural environment

Whitman College provides a continuous cultural background for the community. In addition the town offers a variety of festivals. Bookstores and art galleries abound. There are 6 libraries within the area. The Whitman Mission historical site is interesting.

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Medical facilities

• Saint Mary Hospital is in Walla Walla • Walla Walla General Hospital

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Transportation

Walla Walla Regional Airport is just outside of town and very convenient

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Facts about WALLA WALLA

State: WA
Environment: College Town,Small Town,
City Population: 25,001-50,000
Median age of Population: 25-44
Avg Jan Temperature: 21-40
Median HH Income: 20,001-40,000
Average Home Price (MLS): $100,000-$200,000
Annual Property Tax on a $200,000 house: Less than 2000
Total Crime Index: 101-110 (slightly above average)
Cost of Living Index: 101-110 (slightly above average)
Culture Index: 101-110 (slightly above average)
State Sales Tax: Yes
State Income Tax: No
Name of the Guide: jb

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