Senior Living in Seattle Area | Retirement Communities and More

Senior Living in the Seattle Area

Downtown Seattle and Mount Rainier, seen from Kerry Park in the Queen Anne neighborhood.

Sure, Seattle is popular among the young and trendy. However, it’s also a great place for the young at heart. While 66% of the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue metro areas are between 18 and 64 years of age, a full 13% of the city’s residents are over age 65.

Best Neighborhoods for Seattle Seniors

Seniors, just like any other segment of the population, vary in their idea of what makes a great neighborhood.

To some, walkability is a key characteristic. Seattle’s Ballard neighborhood is very walkable, with plenty of public transit options. It’s also full of great restaurants, quirky local shops, and plenty of parks and entertainment options. Ballard has a very strong sense of community, and it feels good to live among friendly neighbors.

Queen Anne is a very popular option among wealthy retirees with a love for charming older homes and a passion for the arts. Here, you can experience all the excitement of downtown but retreat to the tranquility of your tree-lined residential enclave. From Kerry Park to the Queen Anne Farmers Market, retirees will find a lot to love about this neighborhood.

West Seattle residents run the gamut from young couples to urban seniors. It’s a bit removed from the urban center, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Plus, it’s more affordable than many other parts of the city, making it ideal for retirees who want to save some money. The Junction shops, Alki Beach, and welcoming residents – West Seattle certainly has a lot going for it.

Madrona may be right around the corner from trendy Capitol Hill, but it’s a lot more laid-back. The neighborhood offers excellent walkability, a diverse culinary scene, and lots of natural wonder given its numerous trails and stunning Lake Washington sunsets.

Seattle Arts, Culture and Attractions

The Seattle Art Museum is among the best in the Pacific Northwest, and you’ll be happy to learn that it offers discounted memberships for seniors.

The Seattle Pinball Museum is a bit on the noisy side, but it features pinball machines from the 1960s to the present. Longtime pinball lovers will find plenty of nostalgia here.

Of course, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Pike Place Market. It’s a lively atmosphere, full of local retailers and colorful fishmongers. It’s more than a shopping experience – it’s a feast for the senses.

Seattle sports fans have almost too much to take in. Key Arena hosts NCAA and WNBA games. University of Washington basketball games ("Go Huskies!") take place at Alaska Airlines Arena. SafeCo Field is where the Seattle Mariners play. Centurylink Field is home to the Seattle Seahawks NFL team and the Seattle Sounders soccer team.

Dressing for the Weather in Seattle

Yes, it does rain frequently in Seattle, but not as much as you might think. If you want to look like a local, leave the umbrella at home and don your L.L. Bean boots and a raincoat. Oh, and summers in Seattle are glorious. They’re your reward for putting up with all the clouds. Average highs range from 47 degrees in January to a mild 75 in July and August.

Getting Around the Emerald City

For seniors who love a good stroll, Seattle is pretty close to ideal. It has earned an overall Walk Score of 73, which means most errands can be accomplished on foot. For longer-distance journeys, Seattle offers a network of light rail, buses, streetcars, monorail and bike-sharing. Seniors who love the city life but want to save some cash can probably do without a car in Seattle.

Seattle Senior Services

Seattle features several senior centers throughout the city. At the Senior Center of West Seattle, Rainbow Bingo is a big hit. The Southeast Seattle Senior Center is known for its top-notch musical performances and movie nights. At the Pike Market Senior Center, the meals are hot, the social activities are hopping, and all the services are free.

Aging and Disability Services is the Area Agency on Aging for Seattle and King County, planning and coordinating services for older adults.

Living Costs for Seniors in Seattle

For those coming from New York or San Francisco, Seattle might seem pretty affordable. For everyone else, the city will look pretty pricey. According to Payscale.com, the cost of living in Seattle is 24% higher than the national average. On the senior housing front, Washington State is the 11th most expensive state for assisted living, at an average of $4,500 a month.

On the plus side, Washington residents pay no taxes on retirement income. Washington also has no state income tax - good news for retirees who want to get a part-time job.

Low-income seniors in Seattle will be pleased to learn that the Seattle Housing Authority operates more than 20 affordable senior housing apartments in the city, with fees assessed on a sliding scale.

Seattle: Maybe a Bit Expensive, But Worth It

There you have it: Seattle is above average for living expenses, but it’s also above average for entertainment and natural wonders. It’s a younger city – perfect for those who find that being around youthful energy keeps them feeling spry. Sports fans, art lovers, and outdoorsy seniors love Seattle, as do music fans, gourmands and liberal grandmas. All in all, Seattle is a great place to retire.

Learn More in After55.com's Seattle Retirement Guide

Retiring in Seattle: Getting Back to Nature in the Pacific Northwest

Downtown Seattle and Mount Rainier, seen from Kerry Park in the Queen Anne neighborhood.

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Explore Senior Housing in the Seattle Area and Washington

Expand or narrow your search for senior living and retirement communities in the Seattle area at the top of this page. See cities within the Seattle metro, select specific senior housing types, or even look across all of Washington. After55.com is dedicated to helping you or your loved one get the most out of senior living around Seattle.

Senior Living and Retirement Communities in Seattle Area | 28

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EXACT - Mill Creek, WA 98012 47.87601 -122.18984

EXACT - Auburn, WA 98002 47.291940897703171 -122.20962345600128

EXACT - Seattle, WA 98133 47.72645 -122.34916

EXACT - Seattle, WA 98125 47.72944 -122.29188

EXACT - Pacific, WA 98047 47.26353 -122.24742

EXACT - Renton, WA 98057 47.476908713579178 -122.21789069473743

EXACT - Seattle, WA 98118 47.539333343505859 -122.28546142578125

EXACT - Edmonds, WA 98020 47.79259 -122.3712

EXACT - Bellevue, WA 98008 47.61849 -122.1276

EXACT - Seattle, WA 98104 47.597042083740234 -122.31884765625

EXACT - Lynnwood, WA 98037 47.82884 -122.2824

EXACT - Burien, WA 98168 47.4907264709473 -122.29557800293

EXACT - Auburn, WA 98002 47.315517425537109 -122.22915649414062

EXACT - Seattle, WA 98106 47.520240783691406 -122.33513641357422

EXACT - Seattle, WA 98133 47.723804473877 -122.347351074219

EXACT - Federal Way, WA 98003 47.31252400 -122.33198100

EXACT - Federal Way, WA 98003 47.3100 -122.2668

EXACT - Lynnwood, WA 98036 47.817085266113281 -122.31514739990234

EXACT - Renton, WA 98055 47.466999053955078 -122.20420837402344

EXACT - Seattle, WA 98107 47.667255401611328 -122.38341522216797

EXACT - Mercer Island, WA 98040 47.58229 -122.2382

EXACT - Seattle, WA 98125 47.727424621582 -122.295356750488

EXACT - Seattle, WA 98133 47.730485424399376 -122.34768278896809

EXACT - Kent, WA 98042 47.358023822307587 -122.1611613035202

EXACT - Seattle, WA 98109 47.6410102844238 -122.345603942871

EXACT - Bellevue, WA 98005 47.6180229187012 -122.17414855957

EXACT - Seattle, WA 98125 47.728702545166016 -122.29180908203125

EXACT - Issaquah, WA 98029 47.564651817083359 -122.03677318990231

Senior Living in the Seattle Area

Explore Senior Housing in the Seattle Area and Washington

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EXACT - Mill Creek, WA 98012
47.87601 -122.18984

EXACT - Auburn, WA 98002
47.291940897703171 -122.20962345600128

EXACT - Seattle, WA 98133
47.72645 -122.34916

EXACT - Seattle, WA 98125
47.72944 -122.29188

EXACT - Pacific, WA 98047
47.26353 -122.24742

EXACT - Renton, WA 98057
47.476908713579178 -122.21789069473743

EXACT - Seattle, WA 98118
47.539333343505859 -122.28546142578125

EXACT - Edmonds, WA 98020
47.79259 -122.3712

EXACT - Bellevue, WA 98008
47.61849 -122.1276

EXACT - Seattle, WA 98104
47.597042083740234 -122.31884765625

EXACT - Lynnwood, WA 98037
47.82884 -122.2824

EXACT - Burien, WA 98168
47.4907264709473 -122.29557800293

EXACT - Auburn, WA 98002
47.315517425537109 -122.22915649414062

EXACT - Seattle, WA 98106
47.520240783691406 -122.33513641357422

EXACT - Seattle, WA 98133
47.723804473877 -122.347351074219

EXACT - Federal Way, WA 98003
47.31252400 -122.33198100

EXACT - Federal Way, WA 98003
47.3100 -122.2668

EXACT - Lynnwood, WA 98036
47.817085266113281 -122.31514739990234

EXACT - Renton, WA 98055
47.466999053955078 -122.20420837402344

EXACT - Seattle, WA 98107
47.667255401611328 -122.38341522216797

EXACT - Mercer Island, WA 98040
47.58229 -122.2382

EXACT - Seattle, WA 98125
47.727424621582 -122.295356750488

EXACT - Seattle, WA 98133
47.730485424399376 -122.34768278896809

EXACT - Kent, WA 98042
47.358023822307587 -122.1611613035202

EXACT - Seattle, WA 98109
47.6410102844238 -122.345603942871

EXACT - Bellevue, WA 98005
47.6180229187012 -122.17414855957

EXACT - Seattle, WA 98125
47.728702545166016 -122.29180908203125

EXACT - Issaquah, WA 98029
47.564651817083359 -122.03677318990231