Top 10 Reasons to Retire in Sequim WA

These are the Top 10 Reasons to Retire in Sequim WA. Already named one of the best places to live in America and one of the best places to retire in America and written about for many years in retirement magazines and online articles, Sequim WA is a little off the beaten path, which means it's still one of the best kept secrets in America. Located two and one-half hours drive from Seattle, Sequim is on the North Olympic Peninsula in the famous Blue Hole, also known as the Rain Shadow. In nature's amazing Blue Hole, Sequim only gets 16 inches of rain each year, one-third that of Seattle's 45 inches a year.
Sequim could not have been placed in a more ideal location between the grand Olympic Mountains to the south and the Strait of Juan de Fuca to the North. It is one of the most peaceful rural communities in America with one of the lowest of all crime rates, and the friendliest people. The cost of living is low, and the lifestyle cannot be beat anywhere in the world. Recreation abounds everywhere no matter what you like to do. Wild life and old growth trees in the Olympic National Park add to the wonder of living in the Sequim area.
Learn more about Sequim by reading the largest blog in the area with over 2,200 articles about Sequim and buying a home in Sequim at: SequimBlog.com or www.sequim-real-estate-blog.com

[@jamielumm9583]

Thanks to videos like this, housing prices have shot through the roof.

[@cmarunde]

Actually housing prices went up all over the United States, mostly by the same percentages as in Sequim. I have subscription data that shows this quite clearly on a map of all counties in the U.S., and Sequim is average in that regard when it comes to prices increases over the several years prices skyrocketed. It was far worse in areas of Florida, Tennessee, Idaho, and Texas. Now if a person wants low real estate prices, there are areas in the country where you can buy homes dirt cheap, like in Detroit, or in some desert areas of remote Nevada, but Sequim is not like those areas. Sequim is one of the most beautiful areas in the entire nation, so for prices to rise at the same average rate as most of the rest of the country is not really so bad.

[@peterandkodiak9762]

Reality is that most all areas in the Northwest are now being populated by ppl arriving and settling from other states, esp California and Montana. You can easily see how much raw land has been sold esp. in and around Sequim since the last four years through Zillow. True that parcels are larger, but the concentration of ppl esp mid city is getting higher. Shopping is not necessarily conveniently located. The builders are booked, but the wait time for building permits are long. The current infrastructure will not support the increase in population/demand despite TA widening highway 101 esp during the Summer Fest. season. Ppl arrive here from Kitsap, Jeff county and the Seattle area to experience the Summer festivals so the place gets crowded. 101/104 is the only route to ingress/egress from outlying areas. Major medical care is almost always shifted to Seattle metro area to Virginia Mason or Swedish especially for the critically ill. For critical patients, there is an airlift available from hospitals in the area. The area is called a "Blue Hole", true, but don't expect sunny skies in Fall/Winter. Plan to experience atleast six cold and rainy months from mid October through mid March. Though this area does not get much snow, we did experience three years of much snowfall 2017-2020. I am a local so I know.

[@jdmcarandmotorcycle]

😊

[@AuroraLakes]

Im a local too, and you are right. But he said electric was cheap. 😂 Electricity was never cheap here. Its about double to tripple the cost of what I paid in Puyallup. And its a monopoly, thete is no competition to switch to.

[@MarkWayUp]

very informative video - I can tell you really love living there!

[@virken]

i'm a pilot as well - but i do have to say - often times transiting the airport - the "blue-hole" has not been available when I needed it ;-(

[@cmarunde]

Yes, and after living here 28 years, I could be wrong, but it seems like it used to warmer much sooner in the spring.

[@mybronco5437]

I grew up in Sequim, I lived there 19 years, it is a special place, really beautiful all during the year but a caution to people looking to relocate here, if you haven't lived in a small town before you can get a bit stir crazy so be prepared to get creative keeping yourself busy. Sequim's weather really is a myth, it isn't that much better than other parts of Western Washington, I lived in Seattle for 34 years and consistently it was warmer, less cloudy days and not the wind (Sequim Valley gets lots of wind). Politics, o boy, there are some very strong minded people who very opinionated and stuck with very conservative ideas so be prepared for that (Tea Party, Q followers for example). Sequim is a great place to raise a family or retire to, just be sure to check it out and do your homework before you locate there.

[@garywjensen1]

It has become over crowded, people moving here want the necessities of California, from which they fled!

[@dougfriendly7676]

Those whacko right wingers are outnumbered by more than 2 to 1 as evidenced by the last local election. I personally rarely encounter any of them.

[@JohnLee-db9zt]

@@garywjensen1 No to Californicators in Sequim!

[@garywjensen1]

I would never raise a child here again, or at the very least send them to school here.

[@mvman4122]

Actually we moved to Idaho because of leftist politics taking over Sequim. People fleeing areas their “ progressive” ideas ruined are promoting same in Sequim.

[@rosefaulk7646]

Thank you Chuck for the video. It shows how proud you are of this growing community. The comments on this feed have a few different opinions and a bit comical but that’s the nature of the internet everyone is entitled to their opinion. Trust me it’s in all towns. As we all know, small towns are not for everyone and that’s ok. However, for some it’s very appealing and you hit the nail on the head with your top 10. I think you forgot about the ODT. I grew up a Navy brat and married Navy living in a lot of places. We are currently living in North Kitsap. We are considering one last move since we are closer to retirement and Sequim hits a lot of those boxes. It is always best to spend some time in any area before moving there. Just knowing NAS Whidbey Island is approx 50 miles NE and Naval Base Kitsap (3 bases) 60 miles to the SE. Don’t forget the Coast Guard station in Port Angeles. In my humble opinion that alone makes me feel safe. So to hear a growler or see a ship once in awhile makes me proud and safe. The positive definitely outweighs the negative any day. 😊

[@cmarunde]

Thank you very much. Love what you wrote.

[@gustavovazquez5535]

Amazing!! I’ll be there in two months! 👍👍👍

[@JohnLee-db9zt]

Still there?

[@jdmcarandmotorcycle]

Bought here a dealership 😊

[@khublakhan67]

Nice video. Getting ready to come check out sequim in march. Was wondering what kind of rules there are for building a tiny home on a nice plot of land there.

[@businessowner1170]

We just moved to Sequim Washington from another state and we had a choice to either move here or port Angeles we chose here and moved our cleaning company here we are mid-aged folks with kids reasons why we chose here is because of our business we've been doing amazing here with our professional cleaning business and we came here because its mostly older respectful folks meaning lower crime rate and not to mention its really beautiful here don't hesitate to retire here.

[@user-zt9ne3zc3s]

So are you still doing business? I have lived in Wisconsin most of my 60 years and can start collecting social security in January 2025. I love playing disc golf, so I am looking for somewhere to go that does not have LONG/ COLD/SNOWY winters like we have here. The summers are very mild here but extremely short. I work full time at a manufacturinf firm as a Custodian, and would like to work part-time 2nd shift so I can be outside and play disc golf. I have heard that people are concerned about an "imminent" earthquake up there because of the Subduction Zone"?? I don't want to pay more than $400-$500 month in rent, so I hear the rent and home prices are possibly very high

[@kbanghart]

​@@user-zt9ne3zc3sI live in California, yeah, I think pretty much anywhere that has good weather on the west coast will be high in rent unfortunately. And yes, I cannot imagine living in snow country like you said.

[@markwaters2665]

We have been looking for homes in the area for several months. Not impressed with the inventory and homes are over priced. You would think that with the area being touted as a good place to retire that builders would be busy building new homes. This is not the case. There are a few developments with a limited amount of new homes and/or condos. We still like the area, but will likely look elsewhere.

[@cmarunde]

mark waters, The reason the inventory is low is because the areas so darn attractive to retirees, they’re moving here and buying every home they can. That’s not really a matter of being unimpressed with the inventory, it’s much more a mathematical fact.You had a question about builders and why they are not building more homes, but the builders are booked 1 to 2 years out because of the high demand and they’re building homes as fast as I can. Unfortunately, I have been hearing from realtors throughout the region that all of the nicer areas in the northwest are experiencing the exact same issues.

[@dougfriendly7676]

Most of the locals here are complaining that there is way too much building going and, and much too quickly. Not really sure that your comment "this is not case" rings true at all.

[@virken]

chuck does a really nice job of accentuating the positives - but yes - at the end of the day - he is a buyers agent - and he benefits from encouraging us to settle in sequim...

[@cmarunde]

I'm not like your typical Realtor who just wants to sell homes, make a commission, and screw the clients if necessary. I have convinced many people not to make an offer or not to buy a home because I knew it was was in their best interests. There's a reason I'm not with a big franchise where selling is more important than the clients. I practiced as a real estate broker and then went to law school and practiced real estate law for 20 years, and then came back to representing buyers as I do now. Money is not my God. Perhaps you should read my book, "Success and Eternity." 100% of my clients who I have represented are not just pleased with the honest and professional counsel they got from me, they are giddy. It's pretty low to attack my integrity with a comment that disparages my character, especially since there's no basis for it, and you don't even know me. It's too bad that far too many people use the Internet and social media as a safe haven where they can throw stones at people and duck back into their holes.

[@jaredbaker5887]

The hospital is horrible! but the rest of the video is spot on! great video!

[@cmarunde]

Thanks. I would guess you had a bad experience with someone on the hospital staff maybe. I've had 26 years of nothing but fantastic experiences with the hospital and all the outpatient services. The doctors and nurses are incredibly kind and patient. I'm not doubting your experience, and I've heard from a couple of people over the years who felt the same, but I would also say that almost everyone I've talked to has an experience similar to mine. It would seem medical care is very particular to each patient, and impressions vary widely.

[@cmarunde]

Actually, the hospital is wonderful. Been there as a patient. I know from personal experience how well I was treated and how good the doctor and the nursing staff was. But I get it. A person has a bad experience once with a nurse or sitting in the waiting room like during Covid-19, and forever the hospital is the worst on the planet. It's not a fair assessment, but I understand why there are some people saying that. I could go on an on about all the specialized clinics and the incredibly devoted and humble doctors and nurses serving us from Port Angeles to Silverdale, but I won't do that here. A bad experience at a hospital can be had at any hospital in the United States, but that doesn't mean that hospital is horrible or that the health care in that town is horrible. It just means you had a bad experience. Talk to a hundred other people, and you'll hear how great they were treated.

[@user-xx8ll1sc8d]

Can someone tell me the name of the song and band singing the song for #7 Beaches? It’s 1950’s style: “You’re my sunset, when I’m with you, mysterious brunette, come see the view, this beautiful sunset …”. Love the sound of it.

[@ETfriend]

😂how did you know I’m in California? I’ve wanted to move to Sequim for years. ❤

[@deirdre108]

The truth is that the town of Sequim has no "charm" whatsoever if you're into that. Take an average suburban area with strip malls and no central "old town" and that's Sequim. It is flat so it's very walkable and bikeable. If you have lots of money, check out Port Townsend but you'll have to be rich to move there nowadays.

[@cmarunde]

I appreciate your comment, but I would add this: Many of my buyers have lived all over the U.S. and all over Europe and the rest of the world, and they are wealthy and could live anywhere, and they have all told me that they found Sequim to be the best place they have ever lived, not just for a half a dozen reasons, but 100 little reasons. The quality of life here is truly good. Maybe our state politics are ugly, but we're in the rural part of the state and living a quiet and wonderful life on the Olympic Peninsula. I don't know how you could say Sequim is flat. We live between the Olympic Mountains and the Strait of Juan de Fuca in a valley, and the topography here is up and down. We have amazing hiking trails in the mountains on the south side of Sequim. You might have a point when it comes to "charm," although that is quite subjective. Port Townsend has charm I think, at least downtown in the original townsite, but Port Townsend has a lot of other problems that chases people away, which we won't get into here.

[@jdmcarandmotorcycle]

@@cmarunde🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉❤

[@erindanelleavilaavilaguerr7251]

You will hate Sequim unless you know the homestead world, status concept, international and very much understand the US tribal homestead concept between. We love it knowing it our entire lives.

[@virken]

other sites seem obsessed about property crime in sequim - but no indication that it is an issue on chuck's videos?

[@bonnieyuse5876]

I LOVE LAVENDER! ❤

[@wiseguy9202]

One of the most beautiful areas but prices are a bit high in comparison with other places. I lived in Bremerton which was starting to become too expensive. Is Fat Smitty's still open? Love their burgers.

[@cmarunde]

Fartrell Cluggins, yes Smitty’s is still open.

[@wiseguy9202]

@@cmarunde That's fantastic I hope someday to get back there.

[@cmarunde]

Wise Guy, Just living in paradise here.

[@cmarunde]

Fatty Smiths is still open. I don't eat there. There's too much fat in their hamburgers.

[@wiseguy9202]

@@cmarunde did they change the recipe? I don't remember the patties being too fatty.

[@AuroraLakes]

As of today, June11-24 you can get a small empty lot with electric and water is 250k. And electricity is thru the roof here and was NEVER cheap here. Its about 3 times higher than Puyallup, where I moved from 30 years go. Crime is low, but I would never move here with kids. Its essentially a border town, so lots and lots of drugs, even 30 years ago.

[@paulie12345ish]

Keep going

[@rickburns4572]

Chuck, where were the surfers at???

[@cmarunde]

End of McDonnel Creek northwest of downtown Sequim about 4 or 5 miles as the crow flies.

[@rickburns4572]

@@cmarunde Thanks! Is there any way to park close and walk down the creek?

[@cmarunde]

The surfers were at the outlet of McDonnel Creek about 5 miles NW from Sequim as the crow flies.

[@mischevious]

I saw another video about the Air Force doing training exercises in that area with Growler jets. Did or will that come to pass and be a constant noise nuisance? And are my cats welcome too? No dogs, what about chickens? lol I’m interested in buying land. Eventually I’d like a small homestead for myself but I would be starting in my RV. Not quite ready to retire yet, background in swanky interior horticulture, so I may also want to start a business in the area and would need to build a few thousand feet of greenhouse space for this. Maybe you can help me find the right spot, reasonably priced land without the dream killing code and zoning issues. Thanks for the fun video, looks a lot like home.

[@cmarunde]

Haven’t seen any Growler jets or any USAF jets out here. Commercial flights at 30,000 feet periodically. Love it here. 26 years now with no plans to ever live any other place.

[@thesenate4040]

Yea they do a lot there is is a us navy air station nearby

[@cmarunde]

Mis chevious, Well, I’ve lived here 26 years, and I haven’t seen or heard any Growler jets. If they are around Sequim, they’re an endangered species. The best local MLS to find accurate info on listings is Sequim-Homes.com. I am a buyer’s agent, but I only deal with homes, not land.

[@mischevious]

Living in Sequim Washington - Chuck Marunde Thanks!

[@thesenate4040]

I live just outside of town a mile from the coast and I see helicopters surveillance planes and jets all the time

[@snuffyballparks6501]

Prefer Port Townsend to Sequim. Sequim has a big box store feel by comparison.

[@jotsingh8917]

Totally screwed up town planning with the usual crappy box stores and strip malls. Another $hithole town where you have to drive everywhere. Come on America, from coast to coast always the same shit. Is that all you can do?

[@dougfriendly7676]

I'm a retiree in Sequim and I have several friends who do not own cars and get by just fine. Some have bicycles or find it easy to walk to any products or services they need.

[@JohnLee-db9zt]

Are you Indian? If you are, you ain’t qualified to criticize. India is the world’s cesspool, literally. Poop everywhere.

[@cmarunde]

Well, aren't you Mr. Positive Happy Go Lucky.

[@panthergal7399]

Pristine beaches?? Lol..my favorite thing would be too get opportunities to see Orcas

[@aprillovesgolf7042]

False. Retire would indicate grow old here and enjoy a peaceful life. Please, do yourself a favor and retire where there is a work force. Elder care here is inefficient. Marijuana is legal. Workers are not drug tested prior to or during employment. Most older people, (over 65) in this town, stay locked indoors after 6pm. There are bums sleeping on sidewalks outside every mentioned "Big Box" store. Addiction is big business here, alcohol, marinjuana, gambling, over eating. Everyone in this town is related, getting related, previously related to someone. Come here when you're young and healthy enough to appreciate it and bring your own friends and family. You will have job security if you can offer services, especially health care, nursing and CNA's. It's a tough town. Retire away from here so you can get great care in your later years.

[@cmarunde]

I don't know what town you're talking about April, but you're not describing Sequim. Not even close. Are you sure you're not on marijuana?

[@aprillovesgolf7042]

@@cmarunde pray you don't end up at a local health and rehab facility. I'm active in this community. You need nurses, and housing is way out of reach. Sober 35 years. Nurse 35 years. Golfer 35 years. I will go back to CT when I need healthcare.

[@jamessylvestri347]

I am an x fisherman and port angeles seems a better fit more amenities ie a college health club golf course etc

[@chapmanhere3397]

Port Angeles is a sinking ship

[@JohnLee-db9zt]

@@chapmanhere3397 It’s already sunk. Drug addicts and the homeless have taken over.

[@rjh2772]

how is the inventory of rental property and how much

[@cmarunde]

Rental properties are very hard to find, and a descent 3 br 2 bath will rent for $2,600 a month. It's crazy.

[@rjh2772]

@@cmarunde I guess we won’t be coming

[@cmarunde]

There are virtually no rentals available here. It's bad.

[@Rawshella]

I am wanting to retire to Sequim. I loved your video. Where would I be able to swim year round in warm water? How about the cost of renting a studio apt? I will be 60 Jan. 2021 and my retirement income will be just under $2000 is this still the place for me, single white female with 80 pd. dog and I use medical marijuana and play piano so I need a space where I would be free to play without disturbing any one? You just seem to be THE MAN to ask, maybe become my first friend???

[@JohnLee-db9zt]

Warm water in Sequim? Affordable place in Sequim with only $2000/mo income? You’ll need at least twice that. That medical marijuana is affecting your judgement.

[@garywjensen1]

Time to move, the floodgates will be open!

[@jamessylvestri347]

Sounds great but I am single and dont need a large house

[@dougfriendly7676]

I am single as well and live very comfortably in a single wide mobile. There are plenty of those (and double wides) around although are less commonly available due to demand.

[@slickwilly4613]

What a puff piece!

[@JohnLee-db9zt]

But most of what he said is true if you want a nice place to retire.

[@cmarunde]

Thanks for the encouragement. It was both a lot of work and a lot of fun to make that video, but the encouragement I have gotten is that over 27,000 people have watched this video.

[@gregthornton4209]

Named one of the best places to live by Conspiracy Magazine...

[@dougfriendly7676]

@@LP-jn4tw I agree with you about Wayne's disgusting personal opinions but the marina was named after him because he used to vacation there and was the most famous personality who ever did.

[@JohnLee-db9zt]

Is that run by QAnon?

[@wasp7361]

@@LP-jn4tw John Wayne donated the land for the construction to build the marina.

[@JohnLee-db9zt]

@@wasp7361That was a good thing then. Don’t go woke on the dead.

[@cmarunde]

That's funny, but there's some truth here. Retirement magazines write articles on lots of towns that could be good retirement areas, but frankly they sell advertisements based on those articles. An article on Sequim gives their salespeople the opportunity to call on Sequim businesses to sell advertising.

[@robertasherrod3644]

I live in Sequim, all true. Please do not come, we like it small and friendly.

[@bussinjustin943]

Dont

[@rainernolywaika4224]

Can Donald Land there with his supersized Jumbo Jet ?

[@cmarunde]

No. LOL

[@billburgess4720]

Be sure to bring your six figure retirements as it's just as expensive as Hawaii...Or soon will be...

[@cmarunde]

Oh no, it’s nowhere near Hawaii in the cost of housing or living. You can buy a house in Sequim for $350,000 or even less if you want to buy a fixer-upper, and then the cost of living is one of the lowest in the entire country after that. Don’t forget Washington state has no income tax and our property taxes are very reasonable compared to every other state. People here fish and hunt and have organic vegetable gardens and live really inexpensively.

[@dougfriendly7676]

I've been able to live in Sequim for 22 years on an income that is considered poverty level by both federal and state. Living comfortably has a lot to do with how one manages whatever resources one has.

[@billburgess4720]

@@cmarunde I too have had a Real Estate business for six years in Puget Sound, so saying a mere $350K purchase price is reasonable is just proving my point. Reasonable to half the USA population would be something less than six figures if you know any people living under an overpass to ask. I currently live in the South...In three years, older used trailer houses on rented space has tripled. ANY adjustment in Social Security results in an immediate space rent raise equal to or greater that said COLA adjustment. Don't get me wrong, I am fine with the rich having a place to live but they will ALWAYS be able to afford a place,....Maybe something should be made available to the invisible millions the Politicians can't see...

[@JohnLee-db9zt]

@@billburgess4720 Sucks to be you.

[@cmarunde]

Not true. Once you own a home, and homes are not anywhere nearly as expensive as they are in Seattle areas, most of California, and certainly Florida, not to mention Idaho and Tennessee where home prices went crazy. I bought an amazing horse ranch here on 2.58 acres with a panoramic view of the Olympic Mountains for $385,000. Granted that was 6 years ago, and it's worth twice as much now, but the same home in California would have been $3 million. Other living expenses are extremely reasonable. Property tax rates are less than 1%, and my annual HOA dues are only $250. How much are your HOA dies in CA or Florida or anywhere for that matter. You can grow your own vegetables to save money and eat healthy, fish if you want to eat fish, avoid processed foods if you shop at one of our family owned farm stores, and our Costco food prices are standard. We don't have the bond issues and taxes most cities and counties have, and here's a biggie--since we don't have temperature extremes either hot or cold, our electric bills for heat and air conditioning are extremely low. My electric bill for 1,850 sq.ft. is an average of $95 per month. Sequim is definitely not more expense, but once you get your home purchased, you can live very affordably compared to anywhere in the country.

[@mshkacox9058]

Venomous, not poisonous snakes and spiders...

[@cmarunde]

Quite right. Thanks. Somehow my whole life I've used the phrase "poisonous snakes," but you are absolutely correct. The snakes aren't poisonous--they are venomous. Thanks!

[@oldpicker49]

never retire in washington

[@natejaxson7612]

Stay away

[@Shattuckus]

"illegal alien invasions" is a bigoted and offputting term.

[@JohnLee-db9zt]

What about the ongoing rise of crime in Sequim? It’s significantly higher than rest of Washington. Adjacent Port Angeles is becoming a cesspool of drug addicts and homelessness with associated crime caused by woke liberal city council. Sequim is heading there. And the home prices have risen dramatically. It’s not an affordable place.

[@cmarunde]

Crime is rising all over America, least in Sequim, but any crime is too much. I don’t sell homes in PA, because my buyers want Sequim. They see what you see. Price went up ridiculously just like all over the country, but we are headed down now, as are markets from here to Florida.

[@cmarunde]

Not true. Here we go again, spreading lies about Sequim crime rates. The crime rate here is massively lower than the rest of the state and most all similar communities across the entire U.S. I've lived here 29 years and studied our crime rates extensively. I get a crime report every single morning, and if anyone wants to know the truth about how low our crime rates is, I recommend a free service on the Internet that reports the city and country crimes here and in every city and county in the country. You'll find it at communitycrimemap.com/. You can watch Sequim crimes, and you'll see how few crimes there really are.