Study: Best Cities to Grow Old in Washington

Sandy beaches and lots of sun are what most people think of when they're contemplating retirement, but the rugged beauty of Washington is a refreshing choice if you're looking for something different. The Evergreen State features vast stretches of dense forests and towering mountain ranges, not to mention the miles of coastline that are home to more than half of Washington's population. There's plenty of adventure to be had and these are the cities that are sure to keep retirees on their toes.

10 Best Cities to Retire in Washington

Bellevue, Washington

Study Methodology

Coming up with our top 10 wasn't easy, especially since there are so many great places to live in Washington. To make our job easier, we started by narrowing our list down to those cities that have a population of 20,000 or higher. From there, we used U.S. Census data to assign each city a ranking in five different categories. The cities that came out on top are the ones that ranked best overall based on these criteria:

1. Senior Population
   
2. Housing
   
3. Income
   
4. Recreation
   
5. Healthcare/social assistance

One obstacle many retirees face when moving to a new city is being able to connect with their peers. We looked at how each city ranks based on the percentage of residents aged 65 and older so you'll know where the largest senior populations are.

Apartment living certainly has its perks, especially if you don't want to deal with the added cost of owning and maintaining a home in retirement. If you're planning to downsize, you'll want to take a look at the percentage of multi-unit housing structures that are available in each city.

Where you choose to retire often depends on your budget and what kind of money you're bringing in from Social Security, retirement accounts or part-time work. We considered the median household income seniors 65 and up are earning in each city to give you an idea of how well off other retirees are.

The Pacific Northwest is an outdoor enthusiast's dream but we know that some retirees may prefer to spending their free time exploring local history or celebrating the arts. Our rankings considered the ratio of people to art, recreation and entertainment establishments in each city so you'll know which spots offer the widest range of activities.

Whether you're relatively healthy or you have an ongoing medical condition, you want to be able to get in to see the doctor when you need to. We looked at the number of people versus the number of healthcare and social assistance establishments in each city to give you an idea of where you'll find the best access to services.

10. Seattle

Seattle, Washington

• Population Over 65: 11.1%
  
• Multi-unit Housing Structures: 50.5%
  
• Median Household Income 65 and Over: $40,310
  
• People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 1,419.5
  
• People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 255.4

Seattle, Washington's most populous city, also happens to be one of the largest metropolitan areas in the Pacific Northwest. Almost 635,000 people make their home here and seniors over 65 account for around 11% of them. Multi-unit housing is plentiful and there close to 80 senior living communities in and around the metro area. If you're looking for a way to spend a rainy afternoon, you can check out the view from the Space Needle or see what's on display at the Pacific Science Center.

Did You Know: Seattle is the nation's most literate city, with the highest number of bookstores and libraries per capita nationwide.

9. Richland

• Population Over 65: 14.3%
  
• Multi-unit Housing Structures: 27.4%
  
• Median Household Income 65 and Over: $48,211
  
• People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 2,572
  
• People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 241.5

Richland is situated in southern Washington, close to where the Yakima and Columbia rivers merge. With just over 51,000 inhabitants, it's less than a tenth of Seattle's size, but that hasn't stopped it from becoming a popular destination for retirees. Seniors bring in a comfortable median income and housing isn't a budget buster. Richland's natural surroundings are ideal for outdoor recreation, including golf, hiking, rafting and biking along the Sacagawea Heritage Trail.

Did You Know: Olympic gold medalist Hope Solo was born in Richland.

8. Lynnwood

• Population Over 65: 13.3%
  
• Multi-unit Housing Structures: 42.5%
  
• Median Household Income 65 and Over: $39,002
  
• People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 2,591
  
• People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 188

Located near the eastern shore of the Puget Sound, Lynnwood is a smaller city of around 36,000 residents. Its close proximity to Seattle makes it attractive for working professionals, but there are a fair number of retirees who've settled down in the area. Multi-unit housing is plentiful, although home prices are higher compared to some of the other cities on our list. Summers are great for enjoying Shakespeare at the Lynndale Park Amphitheater, and there are a number of festivals that take place throughout the year.

Did You Know: Nearby Edmonds Marsh is an excellent spot for birding along the Sound year-round.

7. Bellingham

• Population Over 65: 12.9%
  
• Multi-unit Housing Structures: 46.1%
  
• Median Household Income 65 and Over: $36,808
  
• People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 1,551.6
  
• People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 175.3

If you head north out of Seattle toward Canada, Bellingham is the last major city before you reach the border. There are about 82,000 people living in the area and close to 13% are 65 or older. Bellingham, which has one of the lower ratios of people to healthcare, also rates well for multi-unit housing. Active seniors may enjoy a visit to the tasting rooms at the Masquerade Wine Company or a leisurely stroll through the Glen Echo botanical gardens.

Did You Know: Bellingham has also been recognized by Kiplinger's and AARP magazine as one of the country's best places to retire.

6. Kirkland

• Population Over 65: 10.1%
  
• Multi-unit Housing Structures: 49.8%
  
• Median Household Income 65 and Over: $45,363
  
• People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 1,877.7
  
• People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 165.1

Bordering Lake Washington, the city of Kirkland's waterfront views are just one of the things that retirees find so attractive. Although it ranks sixth overall, it scores the second-best rating in both the healthcare and housing categories. The median income for seniors is a respectable $45,000, although you may find buying or renting is a little more expensive. Kirkland has a lively arts community, which includes several galleries and performing arts centers.

Did You Know: Kirkland was the home of the Seattle Seahawks for 32 years.

5. Bainbridge Island

• Population Over 65: 17.4%
  
• Multi-unit Housing Structures: 16.4%
  
• Median Household Income 65 and Over: $62,147
  
• People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 1,011.4
  
• People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 280.3

Although it sits just across the Puget Sound from Seattle, Bainbridge Island is truly is a world apart. In addition to being the smallest city on our list, it's also one of the most affluent, with seniors earning a median income of more than $62,000. Residents enjoy the lowest ratio when it comes to entertainment and there are several golf clubs and parks on the island. Seattle is a short ferry ride away and you're also within driving distance of Bremerton.

Did You Know: At 1,761 feet, Gold Mountain is the highest peak on the Kitsap Peninsula.

4. Issaquah

• Population Over 65: 13.3%
  
• Multi-unit Housing Structures: 45.9%
  
• Median Household Income 65 and Over: $44,096
  
• People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 2,330.9
  
• People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 209.2

Located to the southeast of Bellevue, Issaquah is a thriving city of close to 33,000 people. Bordered by mountains on three sides, Issaquah is in a perfect spot for retirees who want to get back to nature. There are several ski resorts within a relatively short drive as well as plenty of parks and trails to explore throughout the city. The Cougar Mountain Zoo is the place to go if you want to get up close and personal with tigers, cougars and exotic birds.

Did You Know: Issaquah's name comes from a Native American word that means "sound of the birds."

3. Mercer Island

• Population Over 65: 20.4%
  
• Multi-unit Housing Structures: 26.1%
  
• Median Household Income 65 and Over: $65,682
  
• People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 1,391.8
  
• People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 324.1

Mercer Island sits in the southern park of Lake Washington, almost halfway between Seattle and Bellevue. Although it has one of the smallest populations on our list, at just under 24,000 residents, it has the highest percentage of seniors. The city ranks best overall in terms of the median household income for those 65 and up, at almost $66,000. Mercer Island has a reputation for being one of the area's more well-to-do communities so be prepared to pay a little more for housing.

Did You Know: The Lacey V. Murrow Memorial Bridge, which connects Mercer Island to Seattle, is the second-longest floating bridge in the world.

2. Edmonds

• Population Over 65: 18.5%
  
• Multi-unit Housing Structures: 34.7%
  
• Median Household Income 65 and Over: $54,686
  
• People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 2,693.3
  
• People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 210.4

Edmonds is another Puget Sound city and Lynnwood's closest neighbor. Seniors account for 18.5% of the city's 40,000 residents, giving it the second-best ranking in that category. The Edmonds Center for the Arts is the home venue for the Cascade Symphony Orchestra, the Sno King Chorale and the Olympic Ballet. There are also two local theatre groups that stage live performances through the year.

Did You Know: Edmonds is the birthplace of noted travel guru Rick Steves.

1. Bellevue

• Population Over 65: 13.8%
  
• Multi-unit Housing Structures: 45.5%
  
• Median Household Income 65 and Over: $59,207
  
• People per Art, Entertainment and Recreation Establishment: 1,470.2
  
• People per Healthcare and Social Assistance Establishment: 154.4

With over 126,000 residents, Bellevue is Seattle's largest suburb, known for its solid economy and scenic views of Lake Washington. Close to 14% of the population is over 65 and seniors earn one of the highest median incomes in our study. When it comes to healthcare and social assistance programs, Bellevue boasts the lowest ratio overall, with more than 800 providers. Art lovers have a multitude of galleries and museums to choose from and retirees can find plenty to do at one of the city's five community centers.

Did You Know: Although it recently closed, Bellevue's Rosalie Whyel Museum of Doll Art features was known for having one of the world's largest doll collections.

From smaller island towns to Washington's busiest hub, the 10 cities included in our rankings are nothing if not diverse. Even though they're all uniquely different, they share one thing in common - each of them made it onto our list because they represent the most exceptional places to spend your retirement in Washington...