Washington D.C. Metro Area 55+ Retirement Communities

Active adults and retirees who enjoy visiting Washington D.C. may consider moving to the area. While the East Coast is not always the first place that comes to mind when thinking about retirement, there are over a dozen active adult communities in the Washington D.C. area.

More than just a tourist destination, lifestyle communities in the Virginia area are a great option for today's Baby Boomers who are still working but looking to downsize in a 55+ community in the D.C. metro area. It's also a great option for those who have retired and want to remain near family and friends, without limiting their options to the stereotypical retirement states far away. Whether looking to live in a neighborhood with 1,800 homes or a charming low-maintenance condo building with less than 100 homes, you ll be sure to find an age-restricted community in the Washington D.C. area that suits your needs.

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. Major cities include Washington D.C., Arlington, Reston, and Alexandria in Virginia. In Maryland, cities include Bethesda, Frederick, Gaithersburg, Rockville, and Silver Spring.

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 degrees Fahrenheit 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.

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. A visit to Washington D.C. is often centered on the National Mall. This area, between the Capitol building and the Washington Monument, contains most of the Smithsonian museums including the Air and Space Museum, Natural History Museum, and American History Museum.

D.C.'s famous monuments are located just west of the National Mall, beginning with the Washington Monument. The World War II and Lincoln Memorials are in line with the Washington Monument, the Vietnam and Korean War Memorials are just north of the Lincoln Memorial, and the Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Jefferson Memorials are located along the Tidal Basin.

A bit north of Washington D.C., Arlington National Cemetery is just across Memorial Bridge. Here you can pay tribute to fallen soldiers and visit the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to watch the changing of the guard. Living in an active adult community near Washington D.C. makes it easy to tour Mount Vernon, George Washington's home, or visit Old Town Alexandria, a historic district of quaint shops and restaurants. Whether looking for festivals, concerts, theaters, or art galleries, there is plenty to do throughout Washington D.C. year-round.

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. That being said, the area has a cost of living index higher than the national average.

Healthcare

Listed at the second-highest rate in the nation, over 90 percent of residents within the D.C. area are covered by health insurance. Residents of the Washington D.C. area are typically healthier than the national average with high average fitness levels and healthy eating habits due to the availability of healthcare facilities and many recreation centers. Home to plenty of top research facilities; those who live in D.C. 55+ communities are near 56 hospitals. Of those, 21 have been listed as top ranking. Inova Fairfax Hospital, MedStar Washington Hospital Center, and MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital have been ranked nationally.