For retiring people health care will be an important aspect in choosing a place to retire. Here in Southwest Washington and across the Portland-Vancouver Metro Area, healthcare for seniors is in pretty solid shape.
Clark County, Washington has two major hospitals, Peace Health Southwest Washington Medical Center and Legacy Salmon Creek. The region also has a tremendous variety of cottage healthcare organizations in the area. Kaiser Permanente has a strong foothold in the region with several medical offices in Clark County and two large hospital complexes in nearby Portland, OR.
Clark County offers a substantial advantage in personal transportation as traffic flows more smoothly, more often than neighboring Portland. Although Portland has a much better than average public transit system, retirees often find that public transportation does not provide the access they need, when they need it. There can be security concerns as well especially in the winter months when we have only eight hours of daylight.
Having convenient access to a variety of local health care professionals becomes increasingly important as we get older. I am fortunate to be able to see my doctor, fill prescriptions and get 90% of my health care needs serviced at a facility less than five minutes from my house.
Having all of this great health care located locally and being free of state income tax shines a warm and friendly light on South West Washington State and Clark County for those seeking to retire full time or even part time.
For veterans, Vancouver has a local VA hospital and a PX shopette near Fort Vancouver. Portland has a very large VA hospital complex as well that serves the entire region. Once again having a convenient local VA hospital and medical complex nearby with easy in and out access is wonderful.
Check out these links to some of the local healthcare organizations serving Southwest Washington State and the greater Portland-Vancouver metro area.
Providence
Kaiser
Legacy
Peace Health
Veterans Administration
Healthcare, Taxes, Mild winters and gorgeous scenery all combine to create a retirement wonderland. So it's time to Retire to Washington.
