In California, retirement could mean coastal breezes, desert sunsets, mountain views, bustling city life — or a combination of those things. In addition to its natural beauty, the state offers a wealth of arts and culture, outdoor recreation, a vibrant food scene and top-tier hospital systems. Meanwhile, longtime homeowners can carry their property tax base with them, giving them added flexibility in deciding where to settle.
So it’s no surprise that rankings of “best places to retire” in the Golden State abound. My own recent online search turned up 10 solid sets of rankings, each offering its own take on which California cities make the cut.
Each one uses its own mix of criteria to define what “best” really means. Most weigh multiple factors — common ones include housing affordability, health care, amenities, transportation options, retiree density (the percent of the total population in that area that’s age 65 or older) and safety — but the exact formula varies from list to list…