Lacey, WA 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

Overview 

Lacey is an eastern suburb of Olympia in Western Washington. It is popular for its proximity to both seaside recreation and the shopping and entertainment of Olympia. Besides this, residents enjoy local museums and wineries as well as moderate year-round temperatures.

Climate & Geography

Lacey experiences a Mediterranean climate characterized by dry summers and cool winters. The nearby Puget Sound helps moderate temperatures year-round. Residents can expect nearly 50 inches of rainfall and 10 inches of snow each year.

The northern tip of Lacey is located on the Nisqually Reach Aquatic Nature Preserve, and the town is situated between Mount Rainier National Park and the Capitol State Forest. Olympia is located 16 miles to the west.

Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment

Active adults seeking outdoor recreation are in luck. Long Lake Park is popular for boating and water sports, and Wonderwood Park offers 40 acres of woodlands for hiking and biking. Closer to Olympia, Priest Point Park is a waterfront area with trails. Additionally, the Billy Frank Jr. Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge is a delta that offers whale-watching.

For entertainment, residents enjoy local wineries, including Stottle Winery and Madsen Family Cellars. The Lacey Museum is perfect for history buffs, and Martin Village is a name-brand shopping center with a movie theater.

Retirees seeking even more entertainment options and waterfront activities can head to nearby Olympia, just nine minutes away.

Cost of Living & Taxes

Lacey's overall cost of living is above the national average but below the state average. Housing costs are high, but health care and utilities are low.

Washington is one of seven states with no income tax. In addition, property taxes are below average, and many retirees are eligible for a property tax exemption. Sales taxes, on the other hand, are higher than average.

Health Care

The Olympia metro area ranks in the top 105 communities on Gallup's Well-Being Index.

Though there are no hospitals in Lacey, residents have access to two high-quality health care facilities in Olympia. These include Providence St. Peter Hospital and Capital Medical Center, both of which are rated high performing by U.S. News. Additional high performing hospitals can be found in Tacoma, including St. Joseph Medical Center-Tacoma and MultiCare Tacoma General Hospital.