Written by Lise Howe, Associate Broker at RLAH, an expert in downsizing and relocating from DC and the wider metro area. Please share your questions about downsizing with her.
Planning on downsizing in DC or Bethesda? Here are some things to consider as you plan to relocate. People across the country look forward to retirement not just as a break from the workday routine, but as an opportunity to reshape their lifestyle. For many, that means a move — a chance to trade familiar patterns for a new pace of living. According to United Van Lines’ 2025 study, nearly 14% of all relocations were motivated by retirement. While that’s fewer than those moving to be closer to family or for work, it still represents a meaningful shift, especially when compared with lifestyle‑driven moves or those seeking a lower cost of living.
What continues to guide retirement migration is remarkably consistent: tax advantages, affordability, climate, and access to recreation. And in 2025, a handful of states stood out as top destinations.
Florida once again led the list, buoyed by its well‑known tax benefits — no income, estate, or inheritance taxes — and a cost of living that stretches retirement dollars further. Add year‑round sunshine, beaches, golf, and a deeply established network of 55‑plus communities, and it’s easy to see the appeal.
Delaware followed closely, offering its own suite of retiree‑friendly tax policies, including no sales tax, no tax on Social Security, and some of the lowest property taxes in the country. Its proximity to Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, and Baltimore makes it especially attractive for retirees who want financial advantages without feeling far from family or cultural life.
Wyoming’s draw is different but no less compelling: sweeping landscapes, national parks, abundant outdoor recreation, and one of the lowest crime rates in the nation. For retirees seeking privacy, space, and adventure, it’s a natural fit.
Arizona continues to attract those who love warm, dry weather and a lower cost of living. With the Grand Canyon, endless hiking and biking, and low property taxes, it offers a lifestyle centered on the outdoors.
South Carolina appeals to retirees who want a coastal lifestyle without Florida’s intensity. With mild weather, low property taxes, and generous deductions for retirement income, it’s home to beloved destinations like Hilton Head and Myrtle Beach — both rich in golf, beaches, and resort‑style amenities.
Maine remains a top choice for New Englanders who want to stay close to family. Its tax policies, low crime rates, rich arts scene, and extraordinary natural beauty — from forests to coastline — make it a peaceful and culturally vibrant place to retire.
While these states offer compelling benefits, many retirees in the Washington, D.C. and Bethesda area are choosing a different path: downsizing locally rather than relocating entirely. For those who want to stay near adult children, grandchildren, long‑established communities, and world‑class healthcare, a move to a well‑designed condo or townhome right here can offer the best of both worlds.
You still gain the freedom, simplicity, and lock‑and‑leave lifestyle that retirees seek — without giving up the cultural richness, walkability, and familiar connections that make this region feel like home.
If this describes you, we should talk about your options in the DC metro area. There are communities that focus on the 55+ demographic, ranging from places like Fox Hill in Bethesda to the Jefferson in Arlington to Leisure World in Silver Spring. Then there are high end condo buildings that provide incredible service and amenities, such as the Watergate, Somerset, the Lauren or the Ritz Carlton, which are not age-restricted. If you do not need a doorman and wine storage, you might consider buildings like The Cairo, Van Ness North or the Westchester in DC, Elizabeth or the Willoughby in Friendship Heights, close to metro, restaurants and shopping, or the Christopher, Chase or Lionsgate in downtown Bethesda within a short walk of the Bethesda Metro. Regardless of your preferences, you have lots of choices. Please give a call at 240-401-5577 and let’s talk about your options.