Port townsend : Washington

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 (see link at top right). 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.

The median home price in Port Townsend in late 2009 was $250,000.

Edit | History

What is special about this retirement 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

Edit | History

What is not special about this retirement community

Once you get here it is hard to get anywhere else - you need a ferry to get off the peninsula.

Edit | History

What kinds of people like retiring here

People who like the outdoors. Those who like living in and around beautiful Victorian homes. Small town living that is also seasonal

Edit | History

Local economy is driven by

Tourism, construction, healthcare

Edit | History

Climate and Physical Environment

Located on the northeast tip of the Olympic Peninsula. It is about 45 miles from Seattle across Puget Sound

Edit | History

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.

Edit | History

Medical facilities

Jefferson General Hospital

Edit | History

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!)

Edit | History

Valuable Links

Wikipedia on Port Townsend
Port Townsend City-Data
More community reviews at Topretirements
Port Townsend Chamber of Commerce Web site
Mini-guide to retirement in Washington

Edit | History

Was this review helpful?

Yes

Please share your opinions on this community in the Forum
Register to become a Site Guide to Edit these sections or Add a Community If you have suggestions on how Topretirements.com could improve these reviews, contact us.
Suggest a community we want to know about your top retirement spots

Please note that all contributions to Topretirements may be edited, altered, or removed by other contributors. If you don't want your writing to be edited mercilessly, then don't submit it here. By submitting content and/or photographs here you agree to give Topretirements.com the rights to use them in any manner without cost or attribution.You are also promising us that you wrote this yourself, or copied it from a public domain or similar free resource (see Project:Copyrights for details). DO NOT SUBMIT COPYRIGHTED WORK WITHOUT PERMISSION!

Forward to a Friend | print

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): $300,001-$500,000
Annual Property Tax on a $200,000 house: 2000-4000
Total Crime Index: 81-90 (low)
Cost of Living Index: 111-120 (high)
Culture Index: 81-90 (low)
State Sales Tax: Yes
State Income Tax: No
Name of the Guide: retirement guy

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

Add Your City Photo here

Vote on the Ratings for Port Townsend

Total Ratings

1. Overall Retirement Ratings Discuss

Currently 0.00>/5
1
2
3
4
5