Finding the Best Places to Retire Since 2006!
Auburn, California
Tucked in the Foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, Auburn Has a Nice Downtown, Fun Festivals and Abundant Outdodor Recreation
Auburn, tucked in the western foothills of the Sierra Nevadas, is a friendly town along Interstate 80 about 30 miles north west of Sacramento in north central California. It dates back to the California Gold Rush and is listed as a California Historic Landmark.
The nicely restored Old Town boasts homes and structures from the mid-19th century (the old firehouse is Queen Anne style). It is the site of street festivals (wine, blues and more), antique markets, a Saturday morning farmers' market, shops, galleries and eclectic restaurants (some with art galleries in them). Neighborhoods are wooded and include everything from mobile homes to custom, Mediterranean-style mansions. Auburn is also known as the "Endurance Capital of the World" and hosts a dozen running, equestrian and bicycle endurance races each year. Outdoor recreation is in abundance with national forest to the east and Folsom Lake Recreation Area just to the south. Auburn State Recreation Area, a 20-mile stretch between Auburn and Colfax, has river access.
Culture is here, too. The Auburn Placer Performing Arts Center presents theater, music and film events. Residents enjoy a symphony, fall art studio tours, a wine trail and the Bernhard Museum Complex, which is comprised of a Victorian house, a log cabin and a working winery.
Population: 14,000 (city proper)
Percentage of Population Age 45 or Better: 51%
Cost of Living: 35% above the national average
Median Home Price: $610,000
Climate: Summer temperatures are in the 80s and 90s. Winter temperatures are in the 30s, 40s and 50s. On average, Auburn receives 38 inches of rain and a dusting of snow each year.
At Least One Hospital Accepts Medicare Patients? Yes
At Least One Accredited by Joint Commission? Yes
Public Transit: Yes
Crime Rate: Below the national average
Public Library: Yes
Political Leanings: Leaning liberal
College Educated: 35%
Is California Considered Tax Friendly for Retirement? No
Cons: The air quality is below the national average, and the earthquake risk is 337% higher than the national average. Wildfires have come close to Auburn in 2017, 2019 and 2021.
Notes: In response to the wildfire threat, the city council has voted to designate the city a wildland urban interface area, meaning that all new construction has to adhere to wildfire preparedness codes. Auburn has maintained its population within the last decade. Home prices have increased 1% since last year.
Recommended as a Retirement Spot? Yes, although the wildfire danger is something to keep in mind. Earthquakes, too.
California:
Thanks to the treaty that ended the Mexican-American War, the Golden State became a U.S. territory in 1847. Soon after, gold was found at Sutter's Mill. The land crowded with fortune seekers, and, shortly thereafter, California entered the Union as its 31st state in 1850.
California has 900 miles of coastline and claims the highest and lowest point in the continental U.S. Its terrain varies dramatically - from sandy beaches to rugged mountains, deserts to fertile farmland. Landmarks like Hollywood, Disneyland, and the Golden Gate Bridge play a large part in the nation's history and imagination.
Although Texas and New York have tried to close the gap, California's economy continues to be nation's largest. Agriculture, manufacturing, biotechnology, and tourism are some of its leading industries.
Cities of the Golden State have put some odd laws on the books. It's illegal to molest a monarch in Pacific Grove. Want to throw a frisbee on an L.A. County beach? Better ask a lifeguard first. What about bowling on the sidewalks of Chico? Strictly forbidden!
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