Retiring To Whidbey
Are you ready to come and join us on this beautiful island?
For many, Whidbey offers a complete lifestyle change that retirees are ready for. And the island has so much to offer!
Events
March
-
Penn Cove Mussel Festival
April
-
Whidbey Island Marathon
-
Holland Happening
July
-
4th of July Festivals
-
Island Shakespeare Festival
-
Whidbey Island Race Week
-
Whidbey Island Area Fair
August
-
Coupeville Arts and Crafts Festival
-
Wag’n’Walk
-
Jets Over Whidbey
-
Tour de Whidbey
-
Oak Harbor Music Festival
September
-
Whidbey Island Kite Festival
-
Djangofest NW
-
Autumn on Whidbey Whine, Spirits, and Art Tour
Outdoor Recreation
Deception Pass and Deception Pass Park
Coronet Bay Marina, located within Deception Pass State Park, includes moorage, restrooms, shower, laundry, and a full-service store. You can walk the bridge or view it from the water, 18 stories up. Park includes beaches, hiking trails, camp sites, and a freshwater lake.
Windjammer Park
This is Oak Harbor’s major community park. It is a beautiful space, 28.5 acres, in fact, and includes a boat ramp.
Coupeville Town Park
This is a cute 3.8 acre park with view of Penn Cove. It includes a playground and is the perfect spot for a picnic.
Ebey’s Landing National Historic Reserve
You can tell when you drive the curve of Whidbey, that this is a special place. This Reserve was created by a conservation partnership to preserve the historic and scenic integrity of central Whidbey.
Fort Ebey State Park
This park is a converted coastal defense fort that was built in World War II. As you can imagine, there are some fun spaces in here. This 645-acre park includes camping.
Fort Casey State Park
Fort Casey is a 467-acre marine camping park that includes…a lighthouse! Of course, the views of Admiralty Inlet, the Straight of Juan de Fuca, and the amazing historic properties aren’t bad either.
Freeland Park in Holmes Harbor
Just past the midpoint of the island on the west side in Holmes Harbor, this park includes a boat ramp, dock, picnic area, pavilion with picnic tables and grill, playground, and walking trails.
And for the boating enthusiasts:
Oak Harbor Marina
Located between historic Downtown and the Navy base, it includes 420 slips, guest and permanent moorage, showers, laundry, fuel, and a boat ramp.
South Whidbey Harbor in Langley
Includes 41 slips, moorage, restrooms, showers, free Wi-Fi, and boat ramp. Kayak rentals and lessons are also offered if you are feeling adventurous.
The Shopping Scene
Coupeville Wharf
The standout property out on the dock in Coupeville includes wharf features a restaurant and shopping.
Greenbank Farm
Located center-Island, Greenbank Farm includes two art galleries and several shops.
Music for the Eyes
Located in Langley, this shop allows you to take an artist’s tour of Central Asia, without leaving Whidbey! Jewelry, clothing, rugs, and musical instruments can all be found here.
The Art Scene
There are so many art studios throughout the Island – painters, potters, glass blowers, weavers, and more. Will you take up art or a craft when you retire?
Artworks Gallery
Artworks is located at Greenbank Farm and is a collective of a variety of local artists.
Callahan’s Firehouse Glass Blowing
You can’t miss this studio, located in the former Langley fire station. You can even blow your own glass!
Garry Oak Gallery
Located in Oak Harbor, includes 25 local established artists.
Pacific Northwest Art School
Want to brush up on your art skills? Painting, photography, and mixed media classes are all in the catalog.
Rob Schouten Gallery
Located in Langley, this gallery includes painting, jewelry, woodworking, fiber arts, and ceramics from 30 Island artists.
Penn Cover Gallery
Twenty-six Island artists contribute in this centrally-located gallery.
And there’s so much more! From amazing restaurants to wineries and wineries, distilleries, farmers markets, movies, theater and more, there is never a shortage of things to do on the island. Oh, and did I mention the weather? Much of Whidbey is in the “rain shadow” of the Olympics, which means it is shielded from the weather that deluges the rest of the state. According to USClimateData.com, Coupeville receives an average of 21.46 inches of rain. Compare that to Seattle’s 37.13 or Tacoma’s 39.25 and you will be trading in your umbrella for a Whidbey address in a jiffy!
I would love to talk more with you about retiring to Whidbey…even if your transition needs to be gradual.