A few hours’ drive can get you to the beach, the surf, or the mountains in Southern California. This gives people a wide range of options for places to reside. There are several factors to take into account for people who are retirement age while selecting a retirement residence. There is something for everyone in the southern part of the Golden State, from big metropolis to beach towns, mountain retreats, or retirement communities. It might be hard to resist the appeal of California’s many quaint retirement communities when one has lived a busy life and longs for a calmer tempo after the nine to five grind is over.
Summary:
- For many golden age residents, the ideal is to retire to one of California’s many picturesque little villages rather than the city.
- Thankfully, Southern California offers plenty of these, and the greatest part is that each of these locations has a different climate.
- Retirees have options in Southern California, whether they want pleasant weather all year round, cooler weather that occasionally snows, or summertime highs in the triple digits.
However, be advised that living in a tiny town in Southern California does not always equate to a lower cost of living. It can often be more expensive. Retirement in Southern California, however, can be a dream come true for people with a little more money to spend during their golden years (albeit some areas are affordable given the typical cost of living in the Golden State).
Furthermore, there are many affordable places to retire in Northern California, particularly in its southern region, which enables seniors with little resources to still fulfill their retirement ambitions. Here are several small towns in Southern California to retire for retirees where retirees can live if they’ve always wanted to spend their final years in this breathtaking region of the West Coast.
Top 10 Best Small Towns in Southern California to Retire for Retirees:
- Solvang
- Sierra Madre
- Pismo Beach
- Ojai
- Los Olivos
- Los Alamitos
- La Quinta
- Indian Wells
- Carpinteria
- Avila Beach
Top 10 Best Small towns in Southern California to retire for retirees to consider:
10.Avila Beach
- Annual Cost of Living:$46,187 for an individual
- Average Cost of a Home:$1,444,488.00
- Average Salary:$4,813.00 a month
- Rate of Crime:399 out of 100,000 individuals
- Points of Interest: Avila Hot Springs (beginning at $25.00 per person); Port San Luis Lighthouse ($27.00 per person); and the Bob Jones City to Sea Bike Trail (free)
With its moderate weather and convenient access to the beach, Avila Beach is one of the many lovely, tiny beach communities in Southern California that are great places for retirees to live. Even in other seasons of the year, Avila Beach is frequently overlooked. Avila Beach is a place where active retirees can go hiking, biking, enjoy the local hot springs, and more. It is located in San Luis Obispo County, which is regarded as a part of the Southern California Region of California.
The expense of living is greater, as it is in many lovely tiny towns in Southern California, whether you’re retired or living there at any age. Because of this, a sizable nest egg will need to be saved up in advance for anyone who wish to retire to this seaside town. On the other hand, retirees could have to have been a resident of Avila Beach for a good amount of time and have a nearly paid-off mortgage on a house that was purchased for a significant amount less several decades ago.
As can be observed by comparing the crime rate of Avila Beach to the population of 100,000, it is low. Consequently, retirees who stroll through the town or hike its trails have no reason for concern. The public transit system in Avila Beach is the sole grievance voiced by locals. Avila Beach may become unsuitable for individuals who depend on public transit, while retirees may find it acceptable that a greater amount of work must be done by automobile.
9.Carpinteria
- Annual Cost of Living:$47,834 for an individual
- Average Cost of a Home:$1,316,437.00
- Average Salary:$6,750.00 a month
- Rate of Crime:1,509 out of 100,000 individuals
- Points of Interest: Carpinteria Bluffs Nature Preserve: $10.00 per day; Carpinteria State Beach: $10.00; Carpinteria Harbor Seal Preserve and Rookery: (free)
Carpinteria is situated along Santa Barbara’s seashore. The majority of the goods and services that seniors need may be accessed without a car or public transit because the city is highly pedestrian-friendly.
Carpinteria is a popular tourist destination, yet based on calculations to find the crime rate per 100,000 residents, the town still has low crime rates (see below). This explains why it appears as though people are carefree as they stroll through the downtown area and down to the shore.
Carpinteria is home to a few prestigious clinics and hospitals. To have more options for healthcare, many locals decide to travel the 12 miles to Santa Barbara. Retirees who select this option will therefore need a car, ride-sharing, or public transportation.
Although Carpinteria does not have a cheap cost of living, individuals who are able to retire there will be able to take advantage of the moderate climate and stunning beach days that the town has to offer.
8.Indian Wells
- The annual cost of livingL$37,753 for an individual
- Average Cost of a Home:$1,298,655.00
- Average Salary:$7,000.00 a month
- Rate of Crime:3,114 out of 100,000 individuals
- Points of Interest: Indian Wells Golf Resort (tee times start at $119.00); Indian Wells Tennis Garden ($200.00 per year); Aqua Serena Spa (prices vary)
Riverside County is home to Indian Wells. It is highly recognized for its outdoor pursuits, including hiking, tennis, and golf, all of which are aimed toward retirees.
Because Indian Wells is in the desert, it receives very little rain and has sunshine most days of the year. Palm Springs is about thirty minutes away. Because of this, the winter months do not become very cold, but the summer months can get very hot. However, this simply means that among Indian Wells residents, afternoon activities are typically spent indoors and mornings are spent outdoors.
Retirees are drawn to Indian Wells due to the abundance of excellent healthcare options available. Due to the abundance of golf courses in the vicinity, public transit or driving will be required for the majority of activities and errands. Public transit is safe even with a low crime rate per 100,000 persons.
Living in Indian Wells is also quite pricey, but for those who can afford it, it’s undoubtedly one of the most idyllic retirement destinations in Southern California.
7.La Quinta
- Annual Cost of Living:$37,753 for an individual
- Average Cost of a Home:$739,927.00
- Average Salary:$6,000.00 a month
- Rate of Crime:2,774 persons for every 100,000
- It is in Riverside County where La Quinta is situated. It is an oasis in the desert with an artificial lake created for kayaking, electric boating, and fishing.
When compared to other small communities in Southern California, La Quinta is a more affordable place for retirees to live. Moving to La Quinta and purchasing a property, thus, allows one to free up cash to augment retirement savings from a more costly area. Even so, the rent in the La Quinta region will probably be more than some mortgages.
Another town that loves golf is La Quinta. Retirees who enjoy playing golf will therefore have a great time on the verdant fairways. If you’re not a big golfer, you may go shopping in Old Town La Quinta or hiking in the nearby mountains.
Retirees may reside no more than a mile from the town center, making the distance walking, depending on the neighborhood. Even still, for a lot of people, getting from point A to point B will require a car or public transportation.
In addition to the availability of healthcare options, the town benefits from 12% lower healthcare costs than the state of California due to the abundance of possibilities. As a result, retirees will not only receive excellent care as they age, but they will also be able to save money for that care.
6.Los Alamitos
- The annual cost of living:$495,564 for an individual
- Average Cost of a Home:$1,435,346.00
- Average Rent:$3,250.00 a month
- Rate of Crime:3,142 out of 100,000 individuals
- Points of Interest: The Los Alamitos Race Course costs $10.00 per person; Coyote Creek Park is free; St. Isidore Historical Plaza accepts donations.
Orange County, which is known for having a high cost of living, is where Los Alamitos is situated. Moreover, Los Alamitos does have a higher cost of living than many other Southern Californian small communities.
Although the town’s rent is comparable to most towns and cities in Southern California, housing costs may be prohibitive for certain individuals who wish to retire to Los Alamitos. This makes the community an excellent choice for people who don’t necessarily need to be homeowners when the nine to five grind is over.
In addition to being well-known for horse racing, Los Alamitos has some of the best hiking around. All skill levels can enjoy these routes because they are mostly flat and only a few kilometers long.
There isn’t really a downtown area in Los Alamitos. Therefore, it will be required to use a car or public transportation to get to appointments or enterprises.
One of the area’s top-rated medical facilities, Los Alamitos Medical Center, is located in the town. As a result, retirees will not have to travel far to obtain quality healthcare as they get older.
5.Los Olivos
- The annual cost of living:$47,834 for an individual
- Average Cost of a Home:$1,542,632.00
- Average Salary:$6,106.00 a month
- Rate of Crime:1,149 out of every 100,000 individuals
- Points of Interest: Prices at Clairmont Farms are variable; St. Marks-in-the-Valley Episcopal Church’s Labyrinth is free; and Gallery Los Olivos is free.
The location of Los Olivos is in Santa Barbara County. Because of the local wineries and the community’s strong wine culture, the area is particularly tourist-friendly. As a result, even though Los Olivos may only have a little over 1,000 residents, the number of visitors who arrive each day throughout the spring and summer significantly increases.
Los Olivos is an excellent spot for retirees to live if they want to be a part of Southern California’s “new Napa” lifestyle. Once you’ve driven there, the wine-tasting area is entirely walkable, but since so many people visit just to taste the wine, it’s best to arrange a carpool.
For those who purchase locally, exploring olive and lavender farms offers a gourmet journey beyond wine tasting. Galleries are a must-visit in Los Olivos because of the city’s emerging art culture.
Living in Los Olivos has a high cost of living. This indicates that the majority of the town’s citizens were probably there decades before the region developed into a major hub for the wine industry. Even yet, Los Olivos is one of the many lovely and safe retirement communities in Southern California, with a low crime rate measured out of 100,000 residents.
It should be mentioned that Los Olivos lacks any healthcare facilities. Consequently, any medical needs will necessitate a travel to Santa Ynez, Buellton, or Solvang; but, as these local cities are easily accessible by car, this will not be difficult.
4.Ojai
- The annual cost of living:$48,846 for an individual
- Average Cost of a Home:$1,110,349.00
- Average Salary:$3,850.00 a month
- Rate of Crime:1,004 out of every 100,000 individuals
- Points of Interest: Rose Valley Falls Trail: ($10.00 per day); Ojai Olive Oil: (prices vary); Ojai Certified Farmer’s Market: (prices vary)
Ojai is one of Ventura County’s many picturesque little Southern Californian communities that make ideal retirement destinations. It has long been recognized as a haven for people who value both physical and mental well-being as well as all forms of art. The downtown area of Ojai offers a plethora of activities due to the continuation of this heritage. This town offers a plethora of options, including galleries, organic farmer’s markets, wellness spas, and numerous cafés and restaurants serving nutritious food.
Ojai is a great area to retire if you’re interested in all things health-related. All year long, there are events centered around wellness, spirituality, and leisure. In addition, Ojai has a large number of wineries and hiking trails that, depending on where you go, can be reached on foot or, in some cases, by a quick drive.
In addition, Ojai has an extremely low crime rate—that is, 0.06 per 100,000 residents. Despite being a vacation town, this is unexpected but a welcome development for Ojai. Living in Ojai with sufficient money for retirement is also feasible, given that the cost of homes is marginally lower than in other small towns and the rent is similar to many areas in Southern California. There is one hospital in Ojai that inhabitants find to be quite good. However, many Ojai residents commute to Camarillo, which is only 30 miles away, if they want more options for their healthcare.
3.Pismo Beach
- The annual cost of living:$46,187 for an individual
- Average Cost of a Home:$1,228,280.00
- Average Salary:$3,800.00 a month
- Rate of Crime:4,841 out of 100,000 individuals
- Points of Interest: Eldwaylen Ocean Park is free; Pismo Pier requires a $5 parking fee; and Monarch Butterfly Grove is free.
The annual monarch butterfly migration to Pismo Beach is undoubtedly one of the beach’s most well-known attractions. The monarch population seemed to be declining during the last few years. But with over 23,000 of them visiting Pismo Beach, 2023 was a record year for butterflies. Both locals and tourists found this to be a remarkable sight.
Pismo Beach, which lies in the southern part of San Luis Obispo, is regarded as one of the final communities in Southern California before it transitions into the central coast.
Although the little town’s crime rate is higher than that of some other Southern California small towns, this is primarily due to the area’s popularity with tourists. Little theft accounts for the majority of crimes, with large crimes being extremely rare. Pismo Beach locals might feel extremely safe in their area as a result.
Pismo Beach is the ideal spot for surfers to catch waves, should they choose to pursue this sport after retirement. Because of the consistently rolling waves, surfers typically get the ride they desire while in the water. There are miles of beachfront to stroll along and take in the beauty of the coast for those who would rather be on land than in the ocean.
Retirees can stroll effortlessly to the downtown area, which offers an abundance of dining options and shopping, following a trip to the beach. But, this does not negate the necessity for a car, even when the beach and downtown are near by. If they reside in Pismo Beach, the majority of retirees will need to drive.
Numerous top-notch medical institutions offering everything from emergency care to specialized services are located in Pismo Beach. As a result, Pismo Beach has everything retirees need close by, so there’s really no reason to leave town unless you want to.
2.Sierra Madre
- The annual cost of living:$42,825 for an individual
- Average Cost of a Home:$1,362,128.00
- Average Salary:$2,850.00 a month
- Rate of Crime:1,002 out of every 100,000 individuals
- Points of Interest: Jones Peak Loop Trail: (free); Sierra Madre Playhouse: (prices vary by show); Mount Wilson Trail: ($5.00 pass fee).
Situated in Los Angeles County, Sierra Madra is a little town. Living in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains and close to the Angeles National Forest, Sierra Madre is a great Southern California community for retirees who enjoy the great outdoors.
Although it would appear that being thus near to the mountains would mean snowfall, Sierra Madre hardly ever sees any snowfall. Rather, the year-round pleasant weather prevails. The town rarely has summer temperatures above the mid-80s, and it rarely reaches freezing during the winter. As a result, the weather is almost ideal for taking in the area’s natural beauties.
The downtown of Sierra Madre embodies everything that makes small communities unique. The village has several necessities, including stores, cafés, and restaurants. However, even if it’s not too difficult to stroll about the downtown area, retirees in Sierra Madre will need a car to get there.
Retirees can thankfully take advantage of some excellent healthcare options in Sierra Madre. As a result, Sierra Madre has everything a retiree may need, including a safe environment, unless they require a specialization that is not offered in town.
1.Solvang
- The annual cost of living:$47,834 for an individual
- Average Cost of a Home: One thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars
- Average Salary:$3,750.00 a month
- Rate of Crime:1,370 out of every 100,000 individuals
- Points of Interest: Old Mission Santa Ines: ($8.00 per person); Elverhøj Museum of History & Art: ($5.00 donation request); Solvang Festival Theater: (prices vary by show).
Solvang is a charming and culturally rich tiny town located in Southern California. Undoubtedly, Solvang is one of Southern California’s most distinctive little towns. With a little under 6,000 residents, housing can be difficult to come by in the neighborhood. The reason for the exorbitant rates is this. However, individuals who have been in the region for a while or are fortunate enough to purchase a home when it comes up for sale won’t regret calling Solvang home.
There’s plenty to explore on foot in Solvang’s downtown, which is home to stores, eateries, and museums showcasing the Danish culture that helped shape the town into what it is today. Nevertheless, the downtown area is not close to any grocery stores by foot. This implies that retirees in Solvang will need a car. Additionally, Solvang offers top-notch medical care in a range of specializations. Additionally, there are a number of parks with hiking routes where people can improve their health while enjoying the great outdoors.
Freezing temperatures or extremely hot weather are rare because the climate is pleasant all year round. This is ideal for the outdoor shows the town theater hosts for the locals to enjoy. Best of all, despite being a popular tourist destination, Solvang has a relatively low crime rate per 100,000 residents (see below).