It’s true that Southern California is an expensive place to live, but it’s equally true that it’s a wonderful place to be, with stunning scenery and glorious weather almost every day of the year. If you’re thinking about where you’d like to spend your golden years, we’ve put together a list of some of the best cities in SoCal to retire. Any of these cities will provide you with an excellent quality of life and an incredible sense of community. We’ve also considered the cost of living in each of these locations, so we’ve focused on places that are a bit more economical in comparison to the rest of SoCal. Here are the 8 places that made the list.
Santa Clarita offers the perfect blend of refined living in a community that still has a small town feel. Retirees are drawn here for the beautiful weather, quality of life and gorgeous scenery. If you're concerned about housing prices, there are a number of 55+ communities that offer housing rates that won't break the bank. Living in SoCal is incredible, and Santa Clarita is a great place to call home!
If you'd like to retire in a beach town, Oceanside is one of the most economical beach towns in SoCal. This is a great city that offers a laid-back lifestyle and a very involved community that values its residents.
Let's dream a little bit here. Santa Barbara may not be the most economical place to retire, but it sure is a heavenly spot to spend your golden years. If you're lucky enough that money isn't an issue, Santa Barbara is the place to be!
Riverside is a diverse community with a thriving downtown area that's extremely walkable. Retirees will find the cost of living to be quite economical in Riverside, with many neighborhoods to choose from that are quiet and family-oriented.
If your idea of a perfect place to retire includes warm desert temperatures and acre after acre of green golf courses, then Palm Springs is the ideal place to spend your golden years. Cost of housing is fairly economical here, so it's possible to find a perfect condo or small house without draining your retirement account.
San Luis Obispo has a quiet charm that you must experience to appreciate. The city is walkable, friendly, lush and green. Senior housing is plentiful here, with beautiful 55+ communities that would make a wonderful place to call home.
If you like the idea of being surrounded by beautiful green parks, Glendale might just be your ideal place to retire. With 50 community parks throughout Glendale, you will always have a serene spot to get out and experience nature.
Small town charm right next to the beach is exactly what you will find at Seal Beach. You may not think of Seal Beach as an economical place to retire, but with several 55+ communities to choose from, there are affordable options that can fit any budget.
Where would you like to retire in SoCal? Even if retirement is quite a few years away for you, this is a great time to start saving for that dream town in Southern California where you’ve always wanted to live!
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Best Cities In Southern California To Retire
Lisa Sammons|May 05, 2021
What is it like to live in Southern California?
Living in Southern California is amazing. The weather alone makes this the best spot in the world (though we admit we are maybe a little bit biased!). By the time you throw in all our great attractions and restaurants, you have to admit we are practically living in heaven. There are so many amazing day trip destinations in SoCal that you'll never grow bored. You could go out every weekend to a new spot and it'd still take you time to run out of fun things to do. Whether you like beaches, amusement parks, or restaurants, Southern California really and truly has it all!
What are some good day trip destinations in Southern California?
One thing we're fond of is botanical gardens. After all, if you live somewhere this beautiful, why not get out and enjoy the weather? The Arbortetum in Arcadia is an incredible 127-acre garden that will make you forget you're in Los Angeles County. They even have a miniature waterfall and gorgeous peacocks! Another fun site you won't want to miss is the Laguna Art Museum. Founded in 1918, this is actually Southern California's oldest museum! This spot has art stretching back decades and is in an amazing location right on the beach.
What are some good hikes in Southern California?
Needless to say, we have an incredible number of hiking trails to enjoy! Check out this list for a few of our favorites. We can't recommend the Baldwin Hills Scenic Overlook trail in Los Angeles enough. It's just one mile long, but it really offers incredible views. Some of our state parks have many awesome trails for visitors. With over 800,000 acres, Joshua Tree National Park alone has over 100 trails to offer hikers!