David Savageau, an expert on retirement communities, has just published his sixth edition of his 324-page guide to the 203 “Retirement Places Rated.” In his guide, San Diego comes up at an overall 5th place for retirees ages 55 and up. This ranking is based on household income (San Diego ranks at $92,800), home prices ($302,000-$586,000), living costs (including food, health care, recreation, transportation (at $24,809) and taxes (at $1,561).
North County was specified as San Diego’s retirement community, as there is a higher population of retirees there. Climate is a definite bonus and has been compared to the mild climates of the Mediterranean. San Diego’s weather helps its reputation as a health-seeker’s natural Mecca. Author Savageau ranks San Diego’s climate as the best of any place he studied.
In ambiance, San Diego’s North County ranked eighth, citing its performing arts centers, museums, open park spaces, cultural activities, outdoor recreation locations, and good restaurants. San Diego also boasts two largely competitive sports teams, the Padres and the Chargers, pushing local recreation growth and encouraging good businesses for shopping and eating. And the world-renowned San Diego Zoo and Balboa Park are gems within the city.
Because the baby boomer generation is still moving into retirement, there is an increasing boost of activity, keeping elders active up into their mid seventies, depending on health. And though statistics show that only about 5 percent of retirees move out of their city or county, that’s a measured 77 million retirees who are making a move to a more comfortable climate. San Diego’s climate helps to rank it highly in Savageau’s “Retirement Places Rated” but those looking for a refreshed environment will seek additional factors in a retirement community. San Diego can offer climate along with a sense of safe community, performing arts, competitive professional sports and outdoor spaces that attract visitors from all over the world.
