These are the best reasons you should retire in California!
This is not something new: people keep mocking the Golden State and the West Coast for being overpopulated and full of hippies and fitness fanatics, but we are here to give you some reasons you should retire in California.
But the Golden State is actually a place where you can retire and live the best of your life. There is a lot of space for this, and it also has access to some of the most beautiful nature you can find on this earth.
Don’t let yourself be fooled by everything that people say, and consider putting California on your list of places you can retire. Here you have Yosemite and eight hundred and forty miles of coast that stretch from Oregon to Mexico. Just imagine all the beautiful small towns that are waiting for you.
So, read on and see the best reasons you should retire in California. Don’t miss out on what’s out there for you!
1. Great outdoors
You have the mesmerizing coastline that has more than 200 public beaches, but if you are not a fan of the ocean and all it has to offer, you need to know that California is a real haven for hikers.
And if you love both the mountains and the ocean, California is the place to go! Here, you can admire a beautiful sunset while chilling on the oceanside, and you can turn your back and admire the mesmerizing snowcapped mountains.
In the spring, you can go and see the super blooms, and in the summer, you will have the most incredible green lawn. The Mediterranean climate is what you are looking for if you are into gardening, camping, RV road trips, and foraging, and California is the state that has this climate.
The outdoors is one of the reasons you should retire in California, and no one can say it is not true.
2. The smaller cities are everything
San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego—we all know that these cities are the main attractions of the Golden State. Their energy and diversity are incredibly fulfilling, and the vibe you get while you are living or visiting these places is completely different from all you have seen before. They all have that Cali charm you can’t find in any other place.
They can be one of the reasons you should retire in California, but if you ask us, we believe that you will find the real magic in the smaller towns. It is much easier to navigate them, and nature is also closer. Instead of spending one hour in your car trying to get to the ocean or the mountains, you can arrive at them in 10–15 minutes if you are living in a smaller town.
Fresno is one of the main reasons you should retire in California. Other great examples are Bakersfield, the San Joaquin Valley’s Stockton, and Clovis. The smaller cities are less expensive and more convenient for seniors. Also, Freson is located exactly between Kings Canyon, Sequoia, and Yosemite National Parks.
According to the California Association of Realtors, of all the nine counties that you can find in the Bay Area, Solano may be the most suitable for those who have a limited budget since it is the least expensive.
3. Delicious food
Do you know what another one of the reasons you should retire in California is? This is the place where a large part of the country’s vegetables and fruits come from. This is what the California Department of Food and Agriculture reports, and we believe it is amazing. The top crops are pistachios, grapes, tomatoes, lettuce, walnuts, strawberries, and almonds.
Even more, California is the only state that commercially produces artichoke, garlic, kiwi, olives, nectarines, celery plums, and honeydew melons. This is why here you can buy organic produce from the markets at amazing prices, and everything is as fresh as it can be and simply irresistible.
There are many restaurants in California that promote the concept of farm-to-table, and this is the right way to cook incredible and environmentally correct food. Restaurants put farmers on the menu and do their best to bring the freshest local produce. It attracts many diners who truly appreciate the effort and love the natural and fresh food.
So, if you want to eat food made from the freshest ingredients and recipes inspired by seasonal produce, California is the place to go.
4. The art scene
If you are a fan of musicals and you live on the East Coast, you need to know that the Great White Way is not what it used to be anymore. Nowadays, the Golden State is presenting so many Broadway shows in regional theaters, and you can’t miss this. A few examples of great theaters in California are Center Theatre Group and Deaf West Theatre; Berkeley Repertory Theater; San Diego’s Old Globe; South Coast Repertory; and LA’s Geffen Playhouse.
If you prefer concerts and festivals and are a music lover, California has some of the best-known festivals in the country. For example, one of the most celebrated festivals in the world is Coachella, where you can see top performers from many musical genres.
But if you want to try something more niche, you can go to the Monterey Jazz Festival, watch a good movie at the Newport Beach Festival, or enjoy some reggae at Reggae on the River.
If art is your cup of tea, this is, for sure, one of the reasons you should retire in California. You can go to virtually any big art event you can imagine.
5. To take advantage of the tax exemptions
We know it; you know it. It is no secret that California has some of the highest taxes. But if you are a retiree, you should be aware that there are some tax exemptions that are specially made for retirees. We are talking about some sales taxes and housing taxes.
For example, groceries and prescription medications, two of the most expensive items for older adults, are exempt from sales tax, and additionally, there is a $7,000 housing tax exemption for those who live in their own homes. Those who fulfill income standards may also be eligible to delay property tax payments, cutting costs even further.
All of these tax exemptions are one of the good reasons you should retire in California, but you should still keep in mind that if you want to live in this state, you will need to have a few bucks saved. It is still pretty expensive, and if you plan to live on Social Security alone, it can be quite difficult. If you don’t have a 401(k), a pension, or other significant income source, it might be a good idea not to move to California.
The people, the nature, the community, and the culture—all of them are waiting for you in the Golden State. If you are thinking about relocating during retirement and you feel like the vibe of California matches your vibe, take this leap of faith and just move here!
There are many more reasons you should retire in California; these are just a few of them, so if you know any other good reasons, share them in the comments!
One nice thing you can do during retirement is to make memories, and what better way to do that than to take some pictures? Check out this incredible disposable camera: Kodak Funsaver One Time Use Film Camera (2-pack)
You should also read Retirement Adventures: 6 Best Destinations to Check Out in Your Golden Years
