Washington's 10 Best Retirement Towns Ranked
Washington is one of the few states in the country that doesn't charge a personal or corporate income tax. Add this to the untamed natural allure, vibrant cultural scene, and relatively mild climate; the culmination is a perfect pad for retirees to spend their golden years. The Evergreen State provides seniors with a range of options, from vibrant cities to charming small towns and hidden rural villages.
Washington's 10 best retirement towns find a balance between a slow pace of life, outdoor recreation, access to social and medical amenities, and robust communal life to improve the quality of life for senior citizens.
Battle Ground
This chilled-out village in Clark County has beautiful natural landscapes that call for outdoor activity around the year. It is home to Battle Ground Lake State Park, which provides 280 acres of recreational terrain with access to a pristine lake. Adventurers gather here for fishing, hiking, swimming, paddling, and nature photography. Also, Lewisville Regional Park adds 154 acres for complete outdoor immersion, set along the banks of the Lewis River. It has a 2.8-mile trail winding through meadows and forests for those looking to stretch their legs.
Downtown Battle Ground is an eclectic corridor with restaurants, cafes, galleries, and microbreweries. The Battle Ground Cinema invites movie lovers to catch the latest iterations from Hollywood. Battle Ground has multiple clinics and health centers that address any medical emergencies locally, including Kaiser Permanente. Also, the median home cost is $590,000.
Chewelah
Chewelah sits about 48 miles from Spokane and is recognized as an adventurer's haven with beautiful natural landscapes accessible around the year. 49 Degrees North Ski Area is the ultimate winter destination in Chewelah. The resort offers well-groomed skiing and snowboarding cascading the dense woodlands of Colville National Forest. However, those with tired legs can opt for an easygoing round of golf at Chewelah Golf & Country Club. This 27-hole championship course boasts plush greens and well-manicured fairways surrounded by spell-binding vistas.
Newcomers interested in the town's past can visit the Chewelah Museum to browse informative resources, highlighting everything from mining to electronics and homemaking. Providence St. Joseph's Hospital is always on hand to provide the needed medical attention in case of sicknesses and injuries. Lastly, the meridian sold home price in 2024 in Chewelah was around $475,000, below the Washington average.
Liberty Lake
Liberty Lake is a safe bedroom community in Spokane County, known for its family-friendly vibe, quality green spaces, and diversity of recreational opportunities. Residents take pride in its rich outdoor scenery, which offers escapes like Rocky Hill Park. This serene 13-acre oasis hosts several public amenities, including paved pathways, tennis courts, a playground, and a community garden to encourage activity amongst locals. Several trails cut through the community, inviting retirees to exercise with walks and hikes. This includes the scenic Liberty Lake Loop Trail, stretching about 8.6 miles past a forested section, and the delightful Liberty Falls.
As townsfolk gather inside TAC at the Lake for entertaining theatrical productions, the atmosphere is perfect for mingling and sharing a laugh while supporting homegrown talent. Meanwhile, Guardian Angel Homes Liberty Lake is one of the many assisted living facilities in the town that care for seniors in their later life stages. Recent sold home prices in Liberty Lake approximated $550,000.
Cheney
Home to Eastern Washington University, this adorable college town balances between a vibrant downtown area and a rugged backcountry teeming with outdoor opportunities. The walkable urban square invites lazy strolls to explore cute local attractions, and seniors will fancy checking out the town's backstory at the Cheney Historical Museum. However, the real fun awaits in the great outdoors across the sprawling territory of Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge. This 23,000-acre wilderness harbors numerous hiking trails through wetland habitats with a thriving bird and animal population.
Additionally, Fish Lake Regional Park provides an endless shoreline with access to diverse aquatic recreation, from swimming and fishing to canoeing and paddleboarding. MultiCare Rockwood Clinic is just one of the many local health centers providing primary care. For potential home buyers, the median price here is $449,500.
College Place
Walla Walla University is here, and its youthful population injects a jolt of vibrancy into the pedestrian-friendly downtown. Restaurants, pubs, and entertainment venues dominate the district, making for a chance to mingle and socialize at trendy spaces like Hop Thief Taphouse and Kitchen. Here, you can meet up with friends to enjoy innovative beers, craft cocktails, and delicious meals. At Enable Art, seniors can pursue their newfound love for art by signing up for classes to learn or improve their technique in a welcoming setting.
Meanwhile, College Place Lions Club serves as a vital community center where locals congregate for social events and recreational activities. Recently sold homes here averaged $460,000.
Connell
If you are keen on stretching your pension, Connell is easily one of Washington's 10 best retirement towns. This small town has a median home price of $279,000, which is below the United States average, and boasts a rich agricultural heritage. Older citizens will relish sampling its farm-to-table cuisine at Papa Ray's whenever they want to eat out. Elsewhere, Sunset Theatre entertains townsfolk with modern movies in a classic venue from the 1950s. The single-screen theatre was revamped with updated digital projection to enhance the watching experience.
Pioneer Park presents the ideal escape for those craving outdoor activity. This delightful sanctuary harbors amenities like picnic areas, quiet walking paths, water slides, and a pool, perfect for family day outs. Seniors in Connell can benefit from affordable housing and vital independent living facilities at Wheatlands Senior Apartments.
Darrington
Darrington is an adventure lover's dream come true, set in the North Cascades mountain valley, and dominated by rugged wilderness areas. It appeals to retirees who envision an active lifestyle in their golden years, with access to hiking excursions along the isolated Old Sauk ADA Loop. This 2.3-mile route winds along the Sauk River and delivers stunning views of rushing waters and local wildlife. Additionally, Backman County Park provides access to river-based recreation featuring bank fishing, kayaking, and canoeing.
After a long day in the great outdoors, seniors can unwind with a pint of great-tasting craft beer from River Time Brewing. The atmosphere is always welcoming and retirees can order a nice meal alongside the beer. The median home cost in Darrington is $475,000, but pensioners can opt for cheaper housing at Whitehorse Apartments.
DuPont
This Pierce County village has a curious past with ties to the DuPont chemical company, which manufactured explosives in the area during the early 1900s. The DuPont Historical Museum presents a vivid glimpse into the colorful history using a vast collection of photographs, archives, and artifacts from the bygone eras. A walk along the Sequalitchew Creek Trail Head allows senior citizens to exercise their legs and stay active in a laid-back setting, ideal for unwinding.
However, those who just want a quiet escape to sit back and relax can find the ideal spot at DuPont Powderworks Park. This 24-acre oasis has grassy lawns with shady patches from Garry Oak woodlands. Finally, pensioners trying to own a home in DuPont should be aware that homes in 2024 averaged a sale price of $544,500.
Tenino
If you plan to lead a simple life under the radar in your sunset years, this small village of Thurston County, less than 30 minutes south of Olympia, is an enticing prospect. Tenino is home to under 2,000 residents, and almost everybody knows everybody. This results in a strong sense of community, with the town boasting exciting outdoor escapes like Monarch Sculpture Park and Art Center. This unique outdoor area blends nature and art to deliver a gratifying time in the open. There is more room at Tenino City Park to reconnect with nature while exploring bike paths, walking trails, and picnic spaces.
Animal lovers can find inspiration at Wolf Haven International, which does an excellent job of providing a refuge for captured and displaced wolves.
If new experiences and interesting hobbies are what you plan for your retirement, Evergreen State has boundless options to spark your sunset years. Between its outdoor adventures, vibrant culture, and welcoming communities, the stars might just align to guarantee seniors a high quality of life. The best part is that you get to escape the chaotic city scene in Seattle and settle in the comfortable countryside setting of Washington's 10 best retirement towns.
