Seattle, Washington
What It Is Like to Retire in Seattle
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 737,000 in 2020), 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. The presence of the University of Washington, one of the country's leading organizations, makes Seattle a college town. Originally a pioneer outpost, the Yukon Gold Rush transformed Seattle into a major city. It is the commercial hub of the Pacific Northwest. See our Washington State retirement guide, and our reviews of Bellingham and Walla Walla.
Where to Retire in Seattle and Home Prices
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. There are active adult communities to choose from (see link at top left). According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), the median selling price in the second quarter of 2023 was $793,300 in the Seattle/Tacoma/Bellevue area.
What Is Special about Seattle
• 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
What Is Not Special about Seattle
Have to be ready for an urban environment. It is expensive. Summers are a lot nicer than winters here.
Who Will Like Retirement in Seattle
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 and volunteer. It is a great place for both culture and outdoor activity.
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.
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.
Restaurants & Cultural Scene
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 several professional theater companies and scores of amateur productions, and 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.
Crime
The crime rate is well above average in Seattle.
Medical facilities
There is an array of major hospitals, including the University of Washington's Teaching Hospital.
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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