Schools and Retirement Revisited

I thought I'd revisit this from a post in 2015...

Henrietta Lacks Health and Bio Science High School,
Vancouver, WA

Washington State is very proud of its public education system. Although it does suffer from many government related issues, they are well funded and heavily protected by the state constitution's iron clad wording. There is no down side to a strong education system aside from it taking a larger chunk of the budget. Many seniors that no longer have children in the school system take a less enthusiastic approach. It is often the older crowd voting against school bond measures. So what does all of this edu-speak mean to retirees?

Retirees gain many benefits to a strong local school system. First of all a well educated population leads to high paying jobs that help the local economy. A strong local economy is good for everyone, including retirees. Secondly and often overlooked by those on the sunset trail, is the fact that a strong education system attracts families. Many retirees find themselves a great distance from their families and grandchildren. Washington State offers many wonderful benefits to retirees as it is often rated as one of the best states to retire in. It also offers some of America's best public schools and a strong economy. That means the family can come here to!

How good are Washington State's Schools? Right here in America's Vancouver we have nine traditional high schools,the award winning Clark County Skills Center, the Washington State School for the Blind, the Washington State School for the Deaf, Arts and Academics High School, a Health and Bio Sciences High School, two alternative high schools, and an alternative programs center. These fantastic public schools are not just limited to the 'Couv'. It is a statewide affair. Here in Clark County according to US News and World Report, we have eight nationally recognized high schools and two nationally top ranked high schools.

Education is not something retirees traditional concern themselves with, but it can make a significant difference in their lives whether by drawing their extended family to them or by enhancing economic conditions around them it is yet another reason to retire to Washington.