Washington DC (Hagerstown MD) Metro 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

The East Coast is not always the first place that comes to mind when thinking about retirement, however there are many active adult communities between the Washington D.C. and Hagerstown, MD area.

Climate & Geography

The Washington D.C. metro area is the seventh largest metropolitan area in the nation. Surrounded by Interstate 495, the area includes parts of Maryland and Virginia. Hagerstown is located in northern Maryland about a 2-hour drive northwest of Washington D.C.

Situated in the mid-Atlantic region of the East Coast, active retirement communities in the D.C. area experience a four-season climate. Typical of an East Coast climate, winters are cold with average temperatures around 38° and average snowfall of 15.5 inches. Spring and fall are warm and comfortable while summers can be hot and humid. Thunderstorms are common during the summer months due to the high heat and humidity while blizzards hit the area once every four to six years, on average.

Located west of the Blue Ridge Mountains Hagerstown has a milder climate, snowfall is less common but the area usually has more rain than D.C.

Recreation, Culture & Entertainment

As the capital of the United States, there is an endless array of museums, memorials, and national landmarks to visit throughout the year. Just outside of D.C. visitors can experience Mount Vernon, Arlington Cemetery, and other historical sites. Whether looking for festivals, concerts, theaters, or art galleries, there is plenty to do throughout Washington D.C. year-round.

Hagerstown is less urban and offers a variety of outdoor activities including boating or fishing along the canal in Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Park. Hagerstown offers multiple festivals throughout the year, including a historical farmer’s market. Hagerstown is also home to the Washington County Museum of Fine Arts which features the work of artists throughout the world.

Cost of Living & Taxes

Recently, the Washington D.C. metro area has been named the highest-income metropolitan area in the nation, rising above the San Francisco Bay area. The median household income is $72,800 and it includes two of the highest median household income counties in the United States, Loudoun, and Fairfax counties. The area has a cost-of-living index higher than the national average.

The cost of living in Hagerstown is much lower than the rest of the area, partially due to lower housing costs. Social security is not taxed in Maryland but other income taxes can be high, especially since counties can levy additional tax above and beyond the usual 2% to 6% state income tax.

Health Care

Retirees living in the D.C. area 55+ communities are near 56 hospitals, many of them top medical research facilities. Inova Fairfax Hospital, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, and MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital have been ranked high nationally.

Hagerstown’s one hospital, Meritus Medical Center is rated by the U.S. News and World Reports and high performing.