Washington State: For the Active Retiree

As one of the best states for retirees who love the outdoors, retiring to Washington state offers plentiful opportunities for such activities as hiking, golfing, and bird-watching, not to mention kayaking or sailing in places like the Puget Sound. From the states coastal region, where you can fish or whale-watch, to the Cascade Mountains, where you can ski or mountain climb, there are plenty of vigorous, outdoor activities for the adventurous retiree.

One of the most common places to retire within the state of Washington is Seattle and its surrounding area. With plenty of places to shop and dine, as well as attractions such as zoos and parks, the Space Needle, aquariums and art museums, Seattle is a great place to settle down and enjoy city-living. While the cost of living is high in Seattle and the surrounding area, the bustling city still frequently lands on lists as one of the top places to retire.

Other areas in Washington are much less expensive and equally enticing. Spokane, in the far eastern part of Washington, is a far cry from Seattle, boasting over 260 sunny days a year. The area sports 33 golf courses within an hour of town. Set among the pine forests, the Spokane surrounding area is home to over 76 lakes, perfect for kayaking, fishing or parasailing. Running through the center of town is the Spokane River as well as the 37-mile Centennial Trail, a perfect place to bike or walk.

Nestled between the Puget Sound and Mt. Baker, Bellingham is a great place for varied activities, from skiing to hiking to fishing. Mt. Baker, with its 38 hiking trails, gets over 700 of inches of snow per year, perfect for the avid skier. On the other side of Bellingham, the San Juan Islands are a great place for whale-watching. Closer to downtown Bellingham, you will find great areas to hike, such as the eight miles of trail surrounding Lake Padden or the 241 acres of Whatcom Falls Park, a beautiful area filled with waterfalls and indigenous trees. An artsy and very environmentally-friendly city, Bellingham was one of the first communities in the nation to ban plastic bags.

Another great city in Washington is Walla Walla, which is situated in the foothills of the Blue Mountains and is a great place to discover new vintages. With 1,800 acres of vineyards across the Walla Walla Valley and over 100 individual vineyards, Walla Walla is a great place for the wine connoisseur. Retirees can enjoy a wide variety of wine tastings as well as the scenic drives from vineyard to vineyard. In addition, the aspiring wine-maker can even learn the trade at the local community college.

With all of these great and varied places to retire within one state, it’s no wonder that Washington is such an exciting and popular place to retire. Trilogy at Tehaleh can give you the luxuries of the Trilogy active lifestyle, while you’re nestled northwest of Mount Rainier National Park, and just 39 miles southeast of the excitement of Seattle. Shea Homes at Jubilee has taken advantage of the gorgeous backdrop the Puget Sound offers, and has created and exciting and picturesque community to call home. For the adventurous soul, Washington is the perfect location to do exploring later in life, to never settle into a mundane lifestyle, and always stay healthy, active, and happy.