Finding the Best Places to Retire Since 2006!
Retire in San Diego, California?
Tucked along the Southern California coast just 20 miles north of the U.S./Mexico border, beautiful San Diego started out when the Spanish built a presidio (fort) on a hill in 1769. As residents slowly left the safety of the fort to settle the surrounding area, San Diego began to grow. Old Town San Diego, not far from where the original presidio stood, is now recognized as the birthplace of California and is a state historical park.
San Diego has more than 100 named neighborhoods, each with its own character. Architecture is varied, evoking distinct eras from the city's past. Golden Hill and the Gaslamp Quarter boast resplendent Victorians; North Park is known for its Craftsman bungalows; Old Town is home to red-roof adobe structures that date from the city's earliest days, and Mission Hill is comprised primarily of well-restored homes from the 1920s and 1930s. La Jolla is an upscale seaside neighborhood.
Other neighborhoods are known for their inhabitants. Pacific Beach is home to surfers and has an active nightlife. Hillcrest is an older, now-gentrified neighborhood popular with the LGBTQ community. Linda Vista is home to the University of San Diego and is peppered with college students.
San Diego's main attractions, which bring tourists from around the world, are Balboa Park (home of museums, theaters, gardens, the famous Spreckels Organ - the world's largest outdoor musical instrument - and the wonderful San Diego Zoo), Sea World, the Birch Aquarium, Old Town and the Wild Animal Park where the inhabitants roam freely.
And of course, the 70 miles of legendary beaches draw vacationers throughout the year. The top ones in the area include scenic La Jolla Cove Beach, pristine (but often crowded) Coronado Beach and laid back, surfing favorite Pacific Beach. Boating, deep sea fishing, surfing, sailing and every other water activity one can think of are just minutes away.
When residents are not at the beach, the San Diego Museum of Art, which houses collections of Dutch Old Masters and works from the Italian Renaissance, the La Jolla Playhouse, a Tony-award winning theater, the California Ballet Company, the San Diego Opera, the San Diego Repertory Theatre and the Joan B. Kroc Theatre at Kroc Center provide opportunities to enjoy a little culture.
San Diego is also home to several military installations and has one of the largest naval fleets in the world. Bases are open for public tours.
Sports fans enjoy major league baseball (San Diego Padres) and professional football (San Diego Chargers), as well as the opportunity to golf at more than 90 private and public courses in and around the area.
Population: 1.5 million (city proper)
Age 45 or Better: 36%
Cost of Living: 85% above the national average.
Median Home Price: $895,000 See This Cozy San Diego Home with Incredible Views for Sale for $349,000
Climate: Summers are warm and dry with temperatures in the mid-70s, and winters are mild with temperatures in the 50s and 60s. On average, the area receives eight inches of rain per year. In May and June, fog often settles in along the coast, and this "June gloom" can bring gray skies.
At Least One Hospital Accepts Medicare Patients? Yes
At Least One Accredited by Joint Commission? Yes, and several are nationally recognized for their excellence.
Public Transit: Yes
Crime Rate: Meets the national average
Public Library: Yes. It has 35 branches and an excellent menu of services.
Political Leanings: Liberal
College Educated: 45%
Is California Considered Tax Friendly for Retirement? No
Cons: The earthquake risk is 5,735% higher than the national average. Wildfires and mudslides in the surrounding hills are an ongoing threat. Traffic is congested. Class and racial lines are evident. The city has a sizeable homeless population. Taxes are high.
Notes: San Diego has grown 8% during the last decade, and home prices have increased 28% since last year.
Recommended as a Retirement Spot? Yes. The city has its share of problems, as most cities do, but its beautiful locale, endless array of things to do, sparkling beaches, safe neighborhoods, excellent medical facilities, nearly perfect climate and more make it a place to consider for retirement.
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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