affordable California for retirement??? (Los Angeles, Sacramento: condo, crime, house)

[countrykaren]

Is it possible to retire in California?? Currently in NY.




Housing budget would be about $250K or even better, less. Retirement income maybe $90K.


Is that a pipe dream? Saw that Twentynine Palms had housing in our price range, but the area is all military, young, and looks semi- dumpy....no offence meant, but didn't look like a place to spend my golden years.


Any ideas? Thanks.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Something to mention about California is its a big state with so many different climates to deal with. On the coast where we live it cost a lot to buy but the trade off is we don't pay for air conditioning and seldom ever have the furnace turn on. It can get chilly in the evening when the off shore breeze comes in. To live here you would need maybe low 400's for a condo.

A place that I love that is up in the mountains is the Tehachapi area or Pine Mountain Club near Tehachapi. I think you can find homes in your range up there still.

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...-77538?view=qv

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...843984&view=qv

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...-71139?view=qv

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...-12182?view=qv

With the Tehachapi area you are still within driving range of the Los Angeles area to the South, Six Flags Magic Mountain is not too far away, the beaches are maybe an hour and a half away. Santa Barbara is over an hour away. It does have seasons but not as harsh as New York.

[evening sun]

Try way up North. cheaper cost of living, & more affordable homes. Weed or Mt Shasta, or Redding. Or if you want to be nearer to Sacramento, Grass Valley is beautiful.

[pacific2]

Unfortunately, I don't think there is anything in South Orange County unless the OP is open buying a condo in a 55+ community like beach-close Laguna Woods:

https://www.redfin.com/CA/Laguna-Woo...home/141366764
$299K/2bd/2bth/1,040 sq.ft.

https://www.redfin.com/CA/Laguna-Woo...home/161476775
$265K/2bd/1bth/1000 sq ft.

https://www.redfin.com/CA/Laguna-Woo...home/147281474
$248K/2bd/2bth/1000 sq ft.

https://www.redfin.com/CA/Laguna-Woo...home/103534985
$240K/2bd/2bth/950 sq ft.

If open to a rental, besides Laguna Woods, try places like Dana Point (a beach city), since people of all age ranges live there, but it also seems to attract a number of active retirees.

[DKM]

Try the Hemet area. I know people who retired there. 90k is going to work well if you don't have a house payment. Your income tax will be low and while not a great area, it beats 29 Palms.
https://www.redfin.com/CA/Hemet/2821...5/home/5553082

[BeauCharles]

You're budget would be just fine in the Sacramento Valley and Sierra Nevada foothills ("The Gold Country"). You'll have a much tougher time in coastal locations - its like comparing NYC to Upstate in cost of living.

[ryanst530]

There are actually quite a number of locations around California where $250k is sufficient, even near the ocean (see Eureka, for example).

The big question is what type of environment are you looking for?

- Rural, suburban, city?
- Mountains, desert, ocean, farmland, rolling hills?
- Isolated, near-ish amenities (restaurants, shopping, healthcare, etc), ammenities nearby?
- Any other requirements?

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by DKM

Try the Hemet area. I know people who retired there. 90k is going to work well if you don't have a house payment. Your income tax will be low and while not a great area, it beats 29 Palms.
https://www.redfin.com/CA/Hemet/2821...5/home/5553082

They need to be cautious about Hemet, which i am familiar with.


It helps to use the City-Data search program like: http://www.city-data.com/city/Hemet-California.html


Scrolling down provides a lot of info, though some may be a year or so old, but crime is almost twice the National average and the air quality is bad.

[nightlysparrow]

Originally Posted by countrykaren

Retirement income maybe $90K.

California fully taxes income from retirement accounts and pensions at some of the highest state income tax rates in the country. New York doesn't.

[Mr5150]

Originally Posted by countrykaren

Is it possible to retire in California?? Currently in NY.




Housing budget would be about $250K or even better, less. Retirement income maybe $90K.


Is that a pipe dream? Saw that Twentynine Palms had housing in our price range, but the area is all military, young, and looks semi- dumpy....no offence meant, but didn't look like a place to spend my golden years.


Any ideas? Thanks.

I live in a CA area where people retire. In my area the median home price is $280K. Eastern CA half way between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite in a desireable mountain area. Four seasons, lowcrime, friendly people. And a good regional hospital.

Originally Posted by nightlysparrow

California fully taxes income from retirement accounts and pensions at some of the highest state income tax rates in the country. New York doesn't.

Gee, We paid $800 in State taxes last year on our retirement and earned income. Maybe I should move out of state. Now granted, if your retirement income is $1,000,000 you will be taxed at 10%.