3 Reasons Retirees Are Choosing To Put Down Roots in California

California sounds pricey, right? So why would a retiree risk their nest egg to live in one of the most expensive places in the U.S.? The simplest and quickest answer is this: quality of life. I’m not a retiree, but I spent nearly 10 years living in the state, working daily with those spending their golden years in the Golden State. Over time, I learned that people don’t actually move to California for the beaches or posh cities. Instead, seniors often say the best place to retire is in California because they find a sense of belonging that few other places offer. 

Lifelong Learning Programs and Cultural Integration for Retirees

Californian retirees leave me in awe. They have an unexpected zest for life and lead full, happy lives, filling their days with social outings, outdoor adventure, and even higher education. I might even go on a limb and say that most of my senior comrades were either taking college or university classes. Why? Because it’s free. In California, tuition is waived at all state-funded colleges and universities for people over the age of 60.

And what’s more, retirees can even opt for classes reserved only for students ages 50 and over. So not only can they claim the degree that got away, they can do so within their own age cohort. And, it comes with the extracurricular perks as well. Many colleges also offer clubs just for retirees, allowing them to get heavily involved in philharmonic, literary, sports, and scientific societies, among others.

Unique Lifestyle Benefits of California: Golf & Wine

Speaking of societies, a few biggies in California are golf and wine. And the abundance of them alone is among the top reasons to live in the state, especially if you’re a retiree. California boasts over 900 golf courses, second only to Florida, which is the state with the most golf courses in the U.S. And seniors often get perks, with most California golf courses offering discounted rates for players over 55, 60, or 65, depending on the course. Those discounts come in the form of reduced or waived green fees and golf cart rentals. Many California golf courses also offer senior tee times and happy hours.  

The lifestyle benefits of golf clubs also spill into the California wine culture. California accounts for nearly half of all wineries in the U.S., home to an astounding 4,000+ unique vineyards. And one of the best ways to capitalize on them is via California wine clubs that offer exclusive members-only access to various wineries, vineyards, and tasting rooms. Senior members who are also California residents often see the steepest discounts and biggest perks.

Top-Notch Healthcare and Retirement Resources

Beyond all the fun in the sun and campus second-lives, seniors can’t live their best lives without access to premium healthcare, and senior healthcare is indeed a compelling reason to say that one of the best places to retire is in California. Not only does the state offer comprehensive health coverage for seniors through programs such as Medicare, Medi-Cal, and Medicare Advantage, but it also has many of the best hospitals and medical research centers in the country. And thanks to its large retiree population, specialized resources for age-related conditions, geriatric care, progressive disease treatments, and senior care services are both abundant and varied. 

California is also well-known for its inclusive, pro-diversity outlook, which fosters an environment in which seniors frequently report being well cared for, regardless of their socioeconomic status. So, what do you think? Is California a place you'd like to call home?

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