Yes another year has come and just about gone. With this new year will come another 3.7 million people reaching age 65 in the US. Although retirement age varies widely depending on ones circumstances, 65 is the age that Medicare kicks in. Having stable and affordable healthcare is often the last piece of the "hey we can retire now" puzzle.
Retirees often try and choose a location close to their children and grandchildren. Sometimes the grand kids are in a state unfavorable to retirees. Places with a cold climate or high taxes. But Washington State falls into an interesting category for retirees. Washington has one of the nations strongest economies attracted a wide variety of workers from skilled labor, highly educated professionals, and unskilled labor. Thousands of working age people are moving to Washington every day to capture a high paying job in our amazing economy.
Washington unlike California and Oregon offers retirees a nice break from excessive taxation. Washington is not the low tax Mecca a la Nevada, but the lack of a state income tax is always very attractive. Washington also offers a nice variety of climate. Although there isn't really a true "warm" climate anywhere in the state, there is the 'sunny side' and the 'rainy' side for sure. On the eastern side there is abundant sunshine but the price is harder winters. On the wet side the climate is mild all year round with four seasons that are all pretty relaxed. Washington remains the best northern state to retire.
So if you are thinking about retiring to a new locale, don't forget to check out the Evergreen State.
