subject: Hot Retirement Communities Are...cooler [print this page] Warm weather has always drawn retirees from the cities of the North to the sunspots of the South. The biggest retirement communities in the United States are in Florida, Texas, Arizona, and California; and the most famous retirement destinations are certainly Palm Beach in Florida and Palm Springs in California. But sun isn't the only reason to choose a retirement spot, and in northern cities such as Providence, Portland, and Seattle retirement communities are growing quickly.
The sun is certainly a draw for many retired people. The perception is that they move to sunny places because those places afford more opportunities for recreation during their golden years, but in fact going to the sun can be more about health than recreation. Vitamin D deficiencies can be a serious problem for elderly people, and numerous lung, heart, joint, and autoimmune issues are worsened by cold, damp weather.
Not everybody has a medical need to chase the sun, however, and Seattle is an increasingly popular destination for those who do not. Seattle offers every bit as many recreational opportunities as any southern city, and the sun for which Seattle is so famous only keeps people indoors for about four months a year. In the Southwest, the sun keeps people inside for four months out of the year too; it's just too hot to go out. Both places offer about 8 months a year of quality recreation.
One key advantage of the retirement communities surrounding Seattle is cost. Real estate in the Northwest continues to get more expensive as the area continues to grow in population and economic importance. But Seattle is still far cheaper than major markets like Los Angeles and New York, so a people who have worked their whole lives in one of those markets can sell their home and buy a comfortable (even luxurious) place in a smaller market.
Seattle also unique in that it is surrounded by islands and peninsulas that are dotted with charming small towns. In some of these towns, the pace of life is reminiscent of an earlier period, but they are still very close to all the benefits of a major metropolis. And they are well connected as well. The Washington State Ferry system is the largest in the United States, and Seattle has an enviable public transportation system.
Seattle has, of course, earned its reputation for rain. Rain doesn't usually fall hard, but it does fall consistently for months on end, and for those who are used to the sun it can be hard to gaze at cloudy skies for that many weeks at a time. However, the Olympic Mountains to the Southwest of the city create a large rain shadow, so in many of the small towns the area is known for the rainfall is actually quite low.
Having a wet climate isn't without its benefits, one of which is that all that moisture keeps the temperatures around Seattle extremely mild. It does freeze and snow during the winter, but the cold spells are generally short. Winter temperatures are generally in the low 40s, and summer temperatures are generally in the low 70s, creating one of the country's most livable and comfortable climates year round.
The major retirement communities of the South will probably continue to dominate the attention of retirees, and for those who can afford them Palm Beach and Palm Springs will probably continue to be the most popular destinations in the country. But don't rule out Seattle retirement communities if you're looking for a good place to live that is mild, affordable, and recreationally diverse.
