It’s not every day that cities in California land on a list of best places to retire, let alone ten cities, but this list is a little different.
To come up with their best places to retire list, U.S. News analyzed data for the 100 largest metropolitan areas in the USA to assess how well they meet Americans’ retirement needs and expectations.
Top criteria include the happiness of local residents, housing affordability, tax rates and healthcare quality.
Here are the places in California that made the list, and a snippet of what they said about each place:
#21: San Diego
“San Diego offers world-class dining, professional sports and entertainment options typical of a large metro area, but the patchwork of distinct neighborhoods fosters strong community ties.”
#53: Santa Rosa
“Approximately 55 miles north of San Francisco, Santa Rosa has a warm climate, rolling golden hills and desirable real estate. It offers the most metropolitan of the wine country lifestyle experiences, with gourmet restaurants and high-end shops.”
#64: Los Angeles
“Although the City of Angels is characterized as both a glamorous show business town and a traffic-gnarled metropolis, the truth about America’s second-largest metropolitan area is that it’s simultaneously both and neither.”
#71: San Francisco
“San Franciscans are bound by a strong sense of pride in their region; despite the sky-high prices, many residents will tell you that they can’t imagine living anywhere else.”
#80: San Jose
“Cradled by the foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains and Diablo Range, San Jose offers a prime environment for outdoorsy residents, with its proximity to the ocean, the Sierra Nevada and the vineyards – not to mention 300 sunny days a year.”
#84: Sacramento
“Sitting in the heart of the Central Valley, Sacramento is at the forefront of the farm-to-fork movement. Residents have access to an abundance of fresh, locally sourced foods from nearby farms, wineries and breweries.”
#92: Modesto
“Modesto attracts those looking for the balance created by a culturally rich city center that’s surrounded by quiet residential neighborhoods.”
#95: Fresno
“Fresno started out as a small stop along the Central Pacific Railroad, but it has blossomed into a magnetic metropolis that draws agriculture-minded people from around the world.”
#99 Bakersfield
“Bakersfield has hundreds of miles of bike paths and lanes and nearly 60 parks, offering locals plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors. Plus, residents are a short drive from the Sierra Nevada Mountains and some of California’s expansive national forests.”
#100: Stockton
“Centrally located in Northern California, Stockton is surrounded by vineyards and farms that help put local organic produce on dinner tables. Residents are within easy reach of San Francisco, Sacramento and San Jose.”
And, if California is not your only consideration, their list gives you a bunch of options to consider.
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