How is San Francisco for a person with a disability to live in? (Richmond: neighborhoods)

[tometriffic]

I'm 48 and live in PA. I want to move where there's no snow. I like the west coast, but I hear it can be expensive. I also need a place that has an accessible community where someone in a wheelchair, like me, can live actively. Any advice or personal experience would be greatly appreciated.

[uptown_urbanist]

San Francisco is definitely expensive. You might have to narrow it down more than this - are you thinking city of SF or greater Bay Area?

I don't have any personal experience, but I would imagine that you would want to avoid living in some SF neighborhoods - I'd be scared to go down some of those hills with a wheelchair. There are some nice, fairly flat areas, too, (the inner/central Richmond neighborhoods are nice) and the buses are equipped with wheelchair ramps.

[baybook]

In general , CA is far more disabilty friendly than the parts of PA I have visited. When you push a stroller, you look for elevators, ramps, curb cut outs, wider doors, sidewalks etc. GA and NC have been the worst by far. I don't know how someone in a wheelchair manages in some of these cities.

[nutleynut]

The Bay Area Is the best by far for wheelchairs. I know many people in them in two states, and lived in a complex in the east bay with a man who moved from the midwest for the same reason. He had a very active life.
There is also a fairly militant disability rights group who's name eludes me that shows up for people in many ways and organizes protests when necessary. I don't know SF I lived east bay, which I recomend to you.
Money may be an issue depending on your situation. You need to stay 12 months minimium to be considered a State Resident and be eligible for any state benefits, so saving up for or being able to cover yourself for a year at least is a good safegaurd. If you work this will be easier for you to handle as pay is comensurate with expenses as it is most places.
Good Luck