Looking to retire for $100K (Sacramento, Redding: low crime, homes, to buy)

[mgs333]

My parents (in their 60s) are looking to buy a cheap (~$100K-maybe $125K max) place to retire to. They currently live in South OC.

Things they're looking for:
-Safe (as in low crime)
-Cooler weather vs warmer (snow is fine, 90 degree+ summers not as much)
-Not a hick-town (they're Asian and do not want to be in a place where they're made to feel uncomfortable)

As to the last point, because it could be controversial, there are places even in California where people have apparently never seen a non-Caucasian person before from the reactions you get. I'd just want them to be able to live where they don't have to live with that all the time.

A couple places they're considering are:
Pine Mountain Club (90 mins north of LA) - but the distance from the nearest real hospital (60 miles) concerns me, they're in good health now but if they're going to retire, I'd think it's better to be closer than 60 miles to a hospital.
Crestline or places around Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear Lake

Any other suggestions? They're open to other states but since their children are in California (me in NorCal, the other in SoCal), they'd like to be closer than farther.

[Ruth4Truth]

Ukiah? The area around Fort Bragg?

[BeauCharles]

Originally Posted by mgs333

My parents (in their 60s) are looking to buy a cheap (~$100K-maybe $125K max) place to retire to. They currently live in South OC.

Things they're looking for:
-Safe (as in low crime)
-Cooler weather vs warmer (snow is fine, 90 degree+ summers not as much)
-Not a hick-town (they're Asian and do not want to be in a place where they're made to feel uncomfortable)

As to the last point, because it could be controversial, there are places even in California where people have apparently never seen a non-Caucasian person before from the reactions you get. I'd just want them to be able to live where they don't have to live with that all the time.

A couple places they're considering are:
Pine Mountain Club (90 mins north of LA) - but the distance from the nearest real hospital (60 miles) concerns me, they're in good health now but if they're going to retire, I'd think it's better to be closer than 60 miles to a hospital.
Crestline or places around Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear Lake

Any other suggestions? They're open to other states but since their children are in California (me in NorCal, the other in SoCal), they'd like to be closer than farther.

Sorry, that's borderline insulting. Good luck with your search.

[Mr5150]

Originally Posted by mgs333

My parents (in their 60s) are looking to buy a cheap (~$100K-maybe $125K max) place to retire to. They currently live in South OC.

Things they're looking for:
-Safe (as in low crime)
-Cooler weather vs warmer (snow is fine, 90 degree+ summers not as much)
-Not a hick-town (they're Asian and do not want to be in a place where they're made to feel uncomfortable)

As to the last point, because it could be controversial, there are places even in California where people have apparently never seen a non-Caucasian person before from the reactions you get. I'd just want them to be able to live where they don't have to live with that all the time.

A couple places they're considering are:
Pine Mountain Club (90 mins north of LA) - but the distance from the nearest real hospital (60 miles) concerns me, they're in good health now but if they're going to retire, I'd think it's better to be closer than 60 miles to a hospital.
Crestline or places around Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear Lake

Any other suggestions? They're open to other states but since their children are in California (me in NorCal, the other in SoCal), they'd like to be closer than farther.

Too many people will pass up a good place, because of the distance to a hospital. It's not an issue now. It may never be an issue. Have them join one of those medical helicopter clubs if you are concerned.

[JGC97]

Seeing how you live in California, you should know there probably isn't one area with residents that haven't seen someone who isn't white. Haven't you heard? California is a very diverse state. I can only conclude that you don't get out much, do you?

As for finding a place for your parents. Cooler temps will be found in the bay area and places closer to the coast. Of course, there's a price tag for that, too. Forget finding anything decent in that price range, unless your parents are willing to live in a manufactured home. There are some very nice 55+ parks all over the northern part of California. There are park fees, though, and those could add another $500+ to their monthly budget.

I have to agree with Mr5150. If a person is going to worry about being close to a hospital, they should probably stick closer to larger cities.

[nightlysparrow]

Originally Posted by mgs333

A couple places they're considering are:
Pine Mountain Club (90 mins north of LA) - but the distance from the nearest real hospital (60 miles) concerns me, they're in good health now but if they're going to retire, I'd think it's better to be closer than 60 miles to a hospital.
Crestline or places around Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear Lake

Quick hospital access IS a concern in those places you've listed, because they are all mountain locations, which are subject to having their narrow, limited roadways impacted by heavy tourist traffic, summer wildfires, and being snowed-in in the winter.

Suggest the city of Ventura. Safe, cooler coastal weather, on the 101 for getting to SoCal and NorCal locations, can live on their budget, plus 2 major hospitals right in town.

[Podo944]

Originally Posted by mgs333

My parents (in their 60s) are looking to buy a cheap (~$100K-maybe $125K max) place to retire to. They currently live in South OC.

Things they're looking for:
-Safe (as in low crime)
-Cooler weather vs warmer (snow is fine, 90 degree+ summers not as much)
-Not a hick-town (they're Asian and do not want to be in a place where they're made to feel uncomfortable)

As to the last point, because it could be controversial, there are places even in California where people have apparently never seen a non-Caucasian person before from the reactions you get. I'd just want them to be able to live where they don't have to live with that all the time.

A couple places they're considering are:
Pine Mountain Club (90 mins north of LA) - but the distance from the nearest real hospital (60 miles) concerns me, they're in good health now but if they're going to retire, I'd think it's better to be closer than 60 miles to a hospital.
Crestline or places around Lake Arrowhead, Big Bear Lake

Any other suggestions? They're open to other states but since their children are in California (me in NorCal, the other in SoCal), they'd like to be closer than farther.

The mountain towns could be tricky for older folks. On the plus side they do have a hospital in Arrowhead, and the homes are generally less expensive, especially in Crestline, (we lived there for almost 3 years), and it's very pretty. However, the fog getting up and down the mountain is scary and in Crestline the terrain is very alpine like so the snow can pile up in places and the icy roads can be challenging with so many hills.
Also, it gets surprisingly warm in the summer! We didn't have air conditioning so had to keep the windows open, but since it's the "country" (yeah, I know, we were clueless) we heard dogs barking all night! LOL!
Another thing to note is that the air quality is deceptive. The Ozone pollution from the cities comes up right against those mountains. Also, the fire hazard is something to think about. We were evacuated during the "Old Fire" in 2003. Looked like the whole mountain was on fire!

Anyway, don't mean to sound so negative, but ya gotta know the downsides to know if it's something you can live with. Truth be told, my husband and I really miss living up there. We loved the beauty, we had some great neighbors, and we loved driving to Big Bear where my son learned to snowboard and we loved hiking in the general area and geocaching. The reason we moved was my husband got a new job and the commute was a killer.

Good luck! It's not going to be easy finding an affordable place that has the cooler weather. Sacramento is more affordable and diverse, but it gets really hot! Redding too get super hot, but it's cheaper. Not a good rep for diverse though as far as I know.

[notmeofficer]

Pine Mountain club?

My friend just sold his luxury cabin there in excess of 500k

100k... maybe a tiny mobile somewhere... try the drive in the snow to the five... not fun

[countofmc]

Originally Posted by BeauCharles

Sorry, that's borderline insulting. Good luck with your search.

I guess you haven't seen the threads here that are basically racist rants about immigration.

[countofmc]

Man, if they weren't so adamantly against warm weather, I'd probably suggest the Imperial Valley.