Discover the Best Communities in Washington State
New luxury retirement communities in Washington State are welcoming active adults who appreciate upscale waterfront locations, low taxes, high-quality health care and abundant outdoor recreational opportunities.
Among the reasons that so many have found Washington State to be an excellent retirement destination are:
- Washington State is very tax-friendly for retirees.
- The high quality of life in Washington State includes great health care.
- Active adults enjoy an endless list of fresh-air recreations.
Tax-friendly Washington State
Washington State collects no income tax. That’s especially beneficial to retirees because it means that no income is taxed by the state from Social Security benefits, investment retirement accounts (IRAs), 401(k) plans and pensions. While there is an estate tax, it only applies to estates with a value in excess of about $2.2 million.
Property taxes in Washington State are a little below the national average with a statewide effective rate of 0.93% (around $930 per $100,00 of home value). Those annual payments can be even less for qualified seniors age 61 and over: Generous homestead exemptions for up to $70,000 in home value are available, plus “senior freeze” programs that keep property taxes the same even as values appreciate. The combined state and local sales tax rate of about 9.23% in Washington State is above the national average, but prescription drugs and groceries are exempt.
Washington State Health Care
Kiplinger named Seattle as one of America’s “Top 12 Cities to Retire for Good Health,” citing the area’s world-class medical services and the generally healthy lifestyle of its residents. A Washington Health Alliance report also found that the state’s top-ranked hospitals are below average in cost. Among those leading providers are University of Washington and Virginia Mason hospitals in Seattle, Evergreen Medical Center in Kirkland and the statewide Providence Health network.
The Good Life In Washington State
In addition to crime rates well below the national average and progressive environmental-protection standards, Washington State boasts a dynamic economy anchored by corporate headquarters for businesses like Amazon, Boeing, Microsoft and Starbucks. Those companies and others in the hi-tech sector have supported a thriving cultural scene that includes major venues for theatrical performances and music concerts, as well as top-tier museums, art galleries and gourmet restaurants.
Year-round outdoor recreations are a big part of the healthy Washington State lifestyle. There are more than 2,500 miles of marine coastline that include pristine beaches on the Pacific Ocean and sailing, boating, fishing and kayaking on Puget Sound. New upscale residential communities along the waterfronts offer scenic views and front-door access to all of those recreational amenities and more.
Washington State is also home to three national parks—Olympic, Mount Rainier and North Cascades—with spectacular hiking-trail destinations that range from coastal rain-forests to mountain peaks. There are also numerous access points to segments of the Pacific Crest Trail that runs from north-south through the entire state. But you don’t have to be a walker to enjoy Washington State’s splendor: Ski slopes in the highlands offer winter recreations, scenic highways traverse many national and state parks for leisurely tours and the all-weather paths in urban and rural areas are so plentiful that the League of American Bicyclists named it as the nation’s most bike-friendly state.
Research and Explore the Best Communities in Washington State
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Click to explore the following Washington communities. Request information from multiple communities by selecting the checkboxes to the right and completing the form below.
The Uplands 55+ Active Adult Community in Suncadia
Announcing a new way to live at Suncadia: The Uplands 55+. Exclusive to residents 55 and older, this new, private gated neighborhood will nestle high on a forested ridge overlooking the Cle Elum River valley. Creating the tight-knit feel of a private retreat — but with access to Suncadia’s resort amenities too.
The Uplands 55+ will be an intimate neighborhood of only 60 homes gathered around a private clubhouse, trails and a three-acre woodland meadow.
The community clubhouse will include indoor and outdoor gathering spaces including a pool, pickleball court and more. A large, protected meadow will provide another connection point for social events, nature walks and impromptu gatherings.
Port Ludlow
For retirees, active adults, and remote workers, Port Ludlow is an inviting resort-style community on the shores of Puget Sound in the state of Washington.
Westharbor Homes is building new Port Ludlow residences to the highest environmental standards with energy-saving appliances. In the Ludlow Cove Cottages and Olympic Terrace II neighborhoods, you’ll find a delightful variety of floor plans, including beachfront single-family homes, waterfront condominiums, and spacious villas with fairway views.
The amenities and activities at Port Ludlow start with play on the community’s 18-hole golf course, a scenic layout along the water and through the maritime forest. The 300-slip marina offers complete boating services and launches for kayaks and paddleboards. In addition, there are two community clubhouses with fitness centers, swimming pools, and tennis/pickleball courts. You can also enjoy 30+ miles of walking trails, more than 100 community social clubs, and genuine farm-to-table dining with fresh seafood always on the menu at the Fireside Restaurant.
The nearby towns of Chimacum and Port Townsend feature cafes, bakeries, artisan shops, and grocery markets, plus convenient health care services that include specialty practices. And just a 30-minute ferry ride away is the dynamic city of Seattle, home to some of the nation’s leading hi-tech companies, a thriving cultural arts scene, and major professional sports teams.
When you request more information below, you’ll be on your way to discovering the waterfront lifestyle in the Pacific Northwest at Port Ludlow.
Check out our 360 degree view of Port Ludow by clicking here!
Destination Northwest
Make this a year for exploring your frontiers. Take a virtual tour of the luxury retirement communities in Washington State, then plan a personal visit to discover your new healthy and active natural lifestyle.