Chesapeake Beach or North Beach, Maryland on the western shore of the Bay. Cute beach towns with a great sense of community, less than an hour from DC.

The happiest retirees I know are people who stayed in their communities, where they have roots. I know several couples in their 80s from my church in DC who sold their NW homes and bought condos in DC. Happy as clams. I hope to be able to afford to do this, too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Even if you did still have to worry about school systems, why on earth would anyone in their right mind retire to this area?

If you hate the area so much why do you live here? I don't understand posts like yours.

Because of JOBS dumb-ass

Anonymous wrote:If you didn't have to worry about school systems anymore.

Things I would be possibly looking for:
- top or high floor condo with great views of something, maybe a skyline.
- washer/dryer in unit
- building with elevator, maybe indoor pool & gym as well
- Close to shopping or other activities either walking distance or very easily accessible on public transport

Which areas/complexes fit this description?

Sorry OP - I'm born and raised in DC and the LAST thing I would want to do is to retire anywhere in the Mid-Atlantic. We plan to move to either Denver or Southern California. People are nice and weather is awesome in both places.

yeah, I'd move somewhere cheap, too, down South or maybe in Costa Rica or somewhere. Too cold and expensive to live here as a retiree!

Anonymous wrote:

Even if you did still have to worry about school systems, why on earth would anyone in their right mind retire to this area?

+1

Anonymous wrote:

Even if you did still have to worry about school systems, why on earth would anyone in their right mind retire to this area?

If you hate the area so much why do you live here? I don't understand posts like yours.

Even if you did still have to worry about school systems, why on earth would anyone in their right mind retire to this area?

I'll be doing this after my daughter goes to college - selling my house in a good school boundary and moving somewhere smaller/cheaper. I'll consider Capitol Hill near Metro, Old Town Alexandria (near Metro) and parts of South Arlington, because I could possibly pick up a tiny bungalow for less than my house sale will bring in.

My friend's mom bought a condo near Braddock Rd. station in Alexandria and liked it. Something in or near Rosslyn/Courthouse would be great, too - close to the city without the full-city noise.

Anonymous wrote:I think this is a pretty good place to retire, especially if family is nearby. I can't fathom these people who retire to small towns where there is no public transit or state of the art healthcare. You won't have your health or driving ability forever.

if you're elderly and infirm, access to public transportation isn't going to help.

Anonymous wrote:Although if you want to avoid DC prices, I think you have a couple options. Annapolis has some really pretty new condos right near the historic center and I'll bet you get a lot more for your money in Baltimore, too.

Ooh yeah, Annapolis has some pretty water and city views

I think this is a pretty good place to retire, especially if family is nearby. I can't fathom these people who retire to small towns where there is no public transit or state of the art healthcare. You won't have your health or driving ability forever.

Although if you want to avoid DC prices, I think you have a couple options. Annapolis has some really pretty new condos right near the historic center and I'll bet you get a lot more for your money in Baltimore, too.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why are you tied down to these two areas? I would retire somewhere away from the DMV area.

Because I would choose to stay in the area my children grew up and would most likely end up staying.

Also the things OP describes as wanting (elevator, indoor pool, proximity to transit, walkable restuarants, etc are generally pretty urban amenities. I concur with the earlier poster who suggested some of the condos and coops from the '60s right in DC. If you don't have to worry about schools, why not opt to be able to walk to the Kennedy Center or Arena stage or zoo or whatever you want to do in your leisure time?

Anonymous wrote:Why are you tied down to these two areas? I would retire somewhere away from the DMV area.

Because I would choose to stay in the area my children grew up and would most likely end up staying.