Retire to Kalama?

Kalama Wikipedia Page

Kalama, Washington could be an ideal spot for retirees looking to get away from the city yet remain close enough to tap the urban resources including healthcare services. Kalama is located about 30 miles north of Vancouver, WA and is a rather charming town. The downtown area is located on the eastern frontage of I5 and the town is built up on the hillside. It features a mix of modest to very nice homes many with picturesque views of the Columbia River and the coastal mountains. The town proper has a population of roughly 2400 people and like many smaller cities it has as many or more people living in the rural outskirts as in town.

There are a great many properties located along the Kalama River with excellent fishing and nice views. The town has a mix of older and modern homes that are built on the hillside. Kalama for now, is an excellent value as modest 3 bedroom homes can still be found at or around $200,000. I recently wrote an article on my Real Estate Blog about the new La Center casino and the effect it may have on real estate in both Woodland and Kalama. Kalama is a value for now, but that may change soon.

Google Earth View

Kalama is close to services from both the Longview-Kelso area and the larger Greater Vancouver and of course Metro Portland-Vancouver. One downside is that there is not much in the way of medical services and mainstream shopping right in town. A short drive would be needed. Upside is that the downtown area of Kalama is charming and has some great antique shops and dining opportunities.

This great little town is worth a look and should make the short list for retirees looking for the Western Washington wet and mild side of the state.

Goldendale is Golden for Retirees

Goldendale, WA lies at the east end of the Columbia River Gorge. This city of 3,500 people is the seat of government for Klickitat County. It lies roughly 100 miles east of Vancouver and the Portland Metro Area.

It is popular among retirees because unlike the areas of Washington that lie west of the Cascades, this area gets 300 days of sunshine each year. Goldendale is situated at a little more than 1,600 feet above sea level. Summers are very warm and very dry. Winters are chilly and about 21 inches of snow falls from November to March. Less than 20 inches of rain falls over the whole year and that makes it as dry as Sacramento, CA.

For retirees that want a beautiful scenic area in which to live, with relatively dry weather but with four seasons; Goldendale should be high on the list. Although snow falls routinely in the winter, the roads stay mostly clear and the snow tends to be of the preferred light and fluffy variety that is easy to clear. Unlike the very nearby Gorge, Golden is less windy. Many wind farms have been built just a few miles south near the gorge, but the town itself doesn't get near as much wind as the Gorge communities. Personally I am not a big fan of wind that hits harder than a stiff breeze, so Goldendale has another advantage in that regard.

Goldendale is a place for people that want to be away from the "city". It is definitively rural. For people that need to have urban amenities, Tri-Cities, Spokane, Vancouver, or Seattle may be a wiser choice among Washington cities.

Overall Goldendale is a great place to retire. Retires interested in this area may also consider White Salmon which lies on a bluff overlooking the Columbia River. I wrote about this a little in another blog, here.