Friday, February 29, 2008

San Juan Capistrano Retirement

San Juan Capistrano
Most famous for the return of the swallows and the historic Mission San Juan Capistrano http://www.missionsjc.com/, this California city lies just off the coast in the Orange County Region of California along with Newport Beach, Costa Mesa, and Mission Viejo.

Retirement Communities:
Atria of San Juan - www.atriaseniorliving.com (949) 661-1220
Atria Del Obispo www.atriaseniorliving.com (949) 496-8802
Brighton Gardens of San Juan Capistrano (949) 248-8855
Aegis of Laguna Niguel www.aegisliving.com (949) 496-8080

Population: 34,000 (year 2000)

Weather: Moderate Coastal California

Cost of Living: Moderate to High

Housing Costs: High

Taxes: California taxes are generally high compared to other states.California Tax details are here: www.ftb.ca.gov

Transportation: www.octa.net

Health care:
Capistrano Surgicenter (949) 248-5757
Banfield the Pet Hospital: San Juan Capistrano www.banfield.net (949) 234-1245
St. Joseph Health System Home Health at Mission Hospital (714) 712-9536

Travel and tourism: The
www.sanjuanchamber.com

Retiring in Lake Havasu City, Arizona

Home to the world-famous London Bridge, Lake Havasu is both a water lover's paradise and a desert lover's dream. Visitors enjoy the top-rated RV resorts and condominiums with spectacular views and convenient locations. And, with more than 300 days of sunshine per year, Lake Havasu is ideal for golf, tennis and desert tours.

Population: According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the town is 56,355

Health Care: Havasu Regional Medical Center is here to serve you. (928) 855-8185.

Transportation: HAVASU AREA TRANSIT

Retiring in Bullhead , Arizona

Bullhead City is located in Arizona's west-central Mohave County, on the east bank of the Colorado River near the juncture of Arizona, California and Nevada. It is the sister city to the popular gaming community of Laughlin, Nevada.

Bullhead City serves as the economic hub and retail-shopping center for Western Mohave County and Southeastern Clark County, Nevada. More than 5 million people travel through Bullhead City annually. The year-round sunshine makes it perfect for families, retirees and vacationers - whether they are looking to escape the winter cold or want to enjoy the area's vast summer water recreation opportunities.


Weather: Bullhead City has a classic low desert climate with extremely low relative humidity and very high summer temperatures. On the average, it receives about 7 inches of precipitation a year. Stores, shops, restaurants, theaters and homes are air-conditioned much of the year.

Although most of the county is designated as desert, nearly 190 square miles is water, making water sports a favorite among residents and visitors alike. The average daily high temperature in November is 74 degrees. The average daily high temperature annually is a beautiful 88 degrees.

Things To See and Do: Water sports on the Colorado River and Lake Mohave, hiking, off-road vehicle sports, hunting, exploring ghost towns, rockhounding and prospecting are just a few of the recreational activities available in the neighboring desert around Bullhead City. Gambling in Laughlin, across the river, is also a major attraction of the area.

The Colorado River Recreation Area extends from Yuma, Arizona to Lake Powell, about 650 miles. It offers boating, fishing, hunting and other water sports. There is almost 95 miles of navigable water to use for your enjoyment between Blythe and Imperial Dam in Yuma.

Housing Costs: Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: $169,400 (it was $102,500 in 2000)

Population: As of the census of 2005, there were 39,101 people.

Retirement Communities: Silver Creek Leisure Living, 928-704-7000;Sunridge Village Retirement www.sunridgevillage.com

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Costa Mesa California Retirement

Cost Mesa
Costa Mesa in California's Orange County Region is north and inland from Newport Beach but residents still enjoy superb weather and a high class of California style amenities.

Population of Costa Mesa: 110,000

Real Estate: Median home price is $680,000.
Zillow has a lot more about Costa Mesa Real Estate Prices

Retirement Communities:
Newport Beach Plaza Retirement www.leisurecare.com
Mesa Verde Residential Care www.mesaverdehealthcare.com
Silverado Senior Living: Costa Mesa www.silveradosenior.com
Costa Neuporte (949) 646-6300
Avalon at Newport www.recollectionsonline.com
Eldercare Referral Agency www.askeldercare.com
True Source www.trusource.com

Cost of Living: High

Taxes: California taxes are generally high compared to other states.
California Tax details are here: http://www.ftb.ca.gov/

Transportation: Orange County is served by the Orange County Transpotation Authority: http://www.octa.net/

Health care:
College Hospital Costa Mesa http://www.collegehospitals.com/
Hoag Hospital http://www.hoaghospital.org/ - (949) 764-4624
Newport Bay Hospital http://www.newportbayhospital.com/

Education:
The University of California at Irvine is located in nearby Irvine, CA http://www.uci.edu/
Vanguard University http://www.vanguard.edu%20(714/) 556-3610
Orange Coast College www.occsailing.com - (714) 432-5072
National University: Costa Mesa Campus http://www.nu.edu/
Coastline Community College: Costa Mesa http://www.coastline.edu/
Coast Community College District http://www.cccd.edu/

Travel and tourism:

Costa Mesa offers easy access to all of Orange County. http://www.travelcostamesa.com/
Nearby John Wayne Airport serves the entire region.

California's coastal regions are for the most part open to all since private property lines are not allowed to extend into the coastal waters. Also, access to the beach is required by the state. So even in exclusive areas you are generally free to beachcomb and walk the beach.

Newport Beach California Retirement

In California's sunny Orange County travel region, located in the southern coastal part of California, you'll find the surf, sand, and sunny weather that make this a popular retirement destination.

Newport Beach California's 80,000 residents enjoy the amenities of this upscale coastal location but face real estate prices that will make all but the very well-to-do blush. The median price of a home in Newport Beach is $1,617,000. Zillow has more about this region.

Retirement Communities:
Newport Beach Plaza Retirement www.leisurecare.com (949) 645-6833
Mesa Verde Residential Care www.mesaverdehealthcare.com (949) 548-5584
Avalon at Newport Alzheimer's Community) www.recollectionsonline.com - (949) 631-3555
Silverado Senior Living Newport Mesa www.silveradosenior.com (949) 631-2212
Renaissance Premier www.renaissancesl.com (949) 243-3100
Crown Cove (949) 760-2800
Vintage Senior Management www.vintagesenior.com (949) 719-4080
Victoria Healthcare Center www.victoriacares.com (949) 642-0387
Cameo Homes Assisted Living (949) 515-3939
St John's Manor (949) 645-3728

Population: 80,000

Weather: California's south coast has legendarily good weather. Temperatures are moderate throughout the year and rainfall is very low. Sunny days are ... pretty much every day.

Cost of Living: High, even by California standards

Taxes: California taxes are generally high compared to other states.
California Tax details are here: www.ftb.ca.gov

Transportation: Orange County is served by the Orange County Transpotation Authority: www.octa.net

Health care:
Hoag Hospital
On the bluffs overlooking Newport Beach, Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian is a premier medical facility. www.hoaghospital.org General Information Contact Hoag

Travel and tourism: www.visitnewportbeach.com
California's coastal regions are for the most part open to all since private property lines are not allowed to extend into the coastal waters. Also, access to the beach is required by the state. So even in exclusive areas you are generally free to beachcomb and walk the beach.

Retirement in Yuma, Arizona

Yuma contains the historical Yuma Territorial Prison, the Yuma Crossing Historic Park, and a historic downtown area. Yuma is an Arizona Main Street City. Near Yuma are the Kofa Mountain Range and wildlife refuge, Martinez and Mittry Lakes, and the Algodones Dunes, which draw tens of thousands of visitors every year especially during thanksgiving. Another point of interest in Yuma is the Colorado River which runs along the north and west side of town dividing Arizona and California. Yuma is an important station for trucking industry movement of goods between California, Arizona, and Mexico


Population: According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 84,688.

Weather: Yuma is one of the hottest cities of any size in the United States, with average July high temperatures of 107 degrees Fahrenheit. (By way of comparison, the corresponding figure for Death Valley is 115 degrees.) Average January highs are around 69 degrees. According to the Guinness Book of World Records, Yuma is the sunniest place on earth. Of the possible 4,456 hours of daylight each year, the sun shines in Yuma for roughly 4,050 hours, or about 90% of the time. The near perfect flying weather year round attracts military interest in training their pilots here. On average Yuma receives about 3 inches of rain annually.

Transportation: Yuma International Airport
Yuma (Amtrak station)
Greyhound Lines

Housing Costs: Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: $117,700 (it was $85,300 in 2000). Median gross rent in 2005: $635

Health Care: Yuma Regional Medical Center - Yuma, Arizona Hospital, Sunset Community Health Center - Somerton.

Universities and Colleges: The University of Arizona in Yuma


Ranked as the third fastest growing area in the United States in the 1990's, Yuma continues to be a popular option for retires, people looking for a better quality of life for their families, and corporations seeking a more business friendly community in which to conduct business. In addition to our clean air, lack of congestion, and low crime, Yuma was ranked by Farmer's Almanac as having the best weather in the United States, and by Golf Digest as the 6th best city for Golf

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Tucson, Arizona Retirement

Tucson is Arizona's second largest city and is the hub of activity and commerce for southern Arizona. It is a clean, modern and attractive city. Tucson is located in a valley at the base of 4 different mountain ranges. Just northeast of Tucson, the Santa Catalina Mountains rise to over 9,000 feet. They are home to the southernmost ski resort in the United States.

Population: As of July 1, 2006, a Census Bureau estimate puts the city's population at 518,956.

Weather: Tucson has two major seasons, summer and winter; plus three minor seasons: fall, spring, and the monsoon.

Colleges and Universities: University of Arizona: established in 1885; the second largest university in the state in terms of enrollment with over 37,000+ students.
Pima Community College: located in the Tucson area with six campuses.
University of Phoenix has four Tucson campuses.
Prescott College has a Tucson branch campus.
Northern Arizona University has a Tucson branch campus.

Transportation: Tucson International Airport is Tucson's public airport and is located six miles south of Tucson's central business district. TIA is the second largest commercial airport in Arizona, providing nonstop flights to 28 destinations throughout the United States, and 1 destination in Mexico. Overall, Tucson International Airport serves 29 destinations. Sun Tran is Tucson's public bus system. It was awarded Best Transit System in 1988 & 2005 and serves the major part of the metropolis of Tucson. The city remains largely dependent on automobiles for transportation. Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides service to Tucson three times weekly in both directions, operating its Sunset Limited between Orlando, Florida and Los Angeles, California.

Things To See and Do: The city is home to more than 120 parks, including Reid Park Zoo. There are five public golf courses located throughout the area. Several scenic parks and points of interest are also located nearby, including the Tucson Botanical Gardens, Saguaro National Park, Sabino Canyon, and Biosphere 2 (just north of the city, in the town of Oracle). The Tucson Gem & Mineral Show is held every year in February for two weeks. It is one of the largest gem and mineral shows in the world, and features many of the finest mineral specimens. There is no single location for display of minerals, but rather dozens of locations spread across town. The show has an estimated attendance of more than 50,000 people from over twenty countries. Attendees frequently include the general public, experts, beginning collectors, museum employees, dealers, retailers, and researchers. Many museums and universities, including the Smithsonian Institution and the Sorbonne, have displayed materials at the show.

Housing Costs: Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: $144,400 (it was $96,300 in 2000).

Health Care:

Arizona Cancer Center - Tucson, Arizona


Carondelet Saint Joseph's Hospital - Tucson, Arizona
Saint Mary's Hospital - Tucson, Arizona

El Dorado Hospital - Tucson, Arizona
El Dorado Surgicenter - Tucson, Arizona


Kindred Hospital Tucson - Tucson, Arizona

Kindred Hospital Tucson - Tucson, Arizona
Kino Community Hospital - Tucson, Arizona

Northwest Medical Center - Tucson, Arizona

Saint Mary's Hospital - Tucson, Arizona
Sierra Tucson - Tucson, Arizona

Sonora Behavioral Health Hospital - Tucson, Arizona
Southern Arizona VA Health Care System - Tucson, Arizona

Tucson Heart Hospital - Tucson, Arizona
Tucson Medical Center - Tucson, Arizona

Retirement Communities: (not inclusive) Santa Catalina Villas, 520-742-0505, The Manor At Midvale, 520-294-3200

Retirement in Jerome, Arizona

Located high on top of Cleopatra Hill (5,200 feet) between Prescott and Flagstaff is the historic copper mining town of Jerome, Arizona. Once known as the wickedest town in the west. Jerome's personality has changed dramatically in the past 30 years. Once a thriving mining camp between the late-1880s and early 1950s, Jerome is now a bustling tourist magnet and artistic community with a population of about 450. It includes a modicum of artists, craft people, musicians, writers, hermits, bed and breakfast owners, museum caretakers, gift shop proprietors and fallen-down-building landlords.

Population: As of the census of 2000, there were 329 people.

Things To See and Do: Jerome is known as Arizona's Art Destination with over 30 galleries and working studios. In September of 2006, First Saturday Art Walk began and has become a favorite monthly event.In 2007, Jerome became a sponsor of The Sedona Plein Air Festival and hosted some of the finest plein air painters in the country for a day of painting. The Sedona Film Festival will be welcomed to Jerome for the Kodak Quick Shoot in February of 2008.The Old Jerome High School is home to world class artists and their studios, including Mark Hemleben, Robin Anderson and Margo Mandette. These open studios are welcoming to art lovers who enjoy seeing the creative process. Jerome is known for its one of a kind art and Great American Crafts, beautifully displayed in galleries like Raku, Pura Vida and Gallery 527. Leather artisans, potters, glass blowers, jewelers, photographers, painters all abound including an open air art park in nice weather.



Retirement Communities In Jerome Area:
Cottonwood Village - maps.google.com - (928) 634-4229 -

Cottonwood Manor Christian Care - www.christiancare.org - (928) 634-7571

Tuzigoot Village For Seniors - - 928-634-3669

Verde Valley Manor Retirement Center - www.verdevalleymanor.com - (928) 646-6040

Assisted Living Concepts Inc (928) 772-3690 -

Prescott Valley Samaritan Center - maps.google.com - (928) 775-0045 -

Sedona Winds - www.sedonawinds.com - (928) 284-1021

Cottonwood Village: (Leasing Office) - maps.google.com - (928) 634-2956

Verde View Senior Apartments - maps.google.com - (928) 567-9378

Westfield Assisted Living - maps.google.com - (928) 775-4336

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

Retiring to Prescott, Arizona

The city draws visitors from all over the world to enjoy the unique setting, old-west history and enjoyable climate. Throughout the year Prescott offers a variety of events and activities so that no matter when you are here, you'll get chance to experience the many faces of Prescott and find out for yourself why Prescott is considered one of the top emerging metropolitan cities.

Population: According to 2006 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 41,528.

Weather: Prescott is located in the Bradshaw Mountains of central Arizona, at an altitude of 5400 feet. The town has a four-season climate with relatively mild winters. Historical average annual precipitation is 19.32 inches; average snowfall is 25.4 inches.

Colleges and Universities: Prescott College is "an independent, liberal arts college. This colleges educational programs reflect the College's commitment to the environment and social justice. Prescott College is also one of the few colleges in the United States that offers adventure education as a majorNorthern Arizona University and Old Dominion University also have specialty campuses here as well as the online university, Northcentral University.

Population: As of the census of 2000, there were 33,938 people.

Things To See and Do: Prescott has many Victorian homes and has been remarked to be the most Midwestern-appearing city in the Southwest, and it has 525 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places. There are six golf courses within the city limits: Antelope Hills Golf Course, City of Prescott South Course, City of Prescott North Course, Hassayampa Golf Club, Prescott Lakes Golf Club, Talking Rock Golf Club. More courses are located nearby in surrounding towns.

Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: $227,000 (it was $162,700 in 2000)

Retirement Communities: (not inclusive) Prescott Samaritan Village, 928-778-2450, Peridot Retirement and Assisted Living Community, 928-777-5511

Health Care: Northern Arizona VA Health Care System,
View the Web Site
500 N. Hwy 89Prescott, AZ 86313Phone: (928) 445-4860 or (800) 949-1005



.

Los Angeles California Retirement

Los Angeles, California

From Hollywood to East LA, Los Angeles is one of America's iconic cities. Home to movie stars, movie moguls, billionaire industriasts and and millions of regular people, the City of Angels enjoys an incredibly diverse cultural heritage as well as a reputation that varies from glamourous to squalid to legendary.



Retirement Communities
(not inclusive!)
Keiro Retirement Home www.keiro.org (323) 263-9651
Grandview Retirement Residence (213) 380-7000
St John of God Retirement (323) 731-0641
Retirement Housing Foundation (323) 662-5043
Polish Retirement Foundation (323) 735-1381
Hollenbeck Palms www.hollenbeckpalms.com (323) 263-6195
Keiro Nursing Home 323-225-1393
Olympia Retirement Home 323-932-6519
Belmont Village of Hollywood www.belmontvillage.com


Population of Los Angeles: 3,849,000

Los Angeles Weather and Climate:

Very Moderate. Warm temperatures all year. Smog can be a problem here so check with your doctor is you suffer from any respiratory related illness.

Cost of Living:
Varies greatly depending on where you live in the massive metro area. Check Las Angeles retirement options very carefully to make sure your style is compatible with the neighborhood or community that you choose.

Housing Costs:
Los Angeles Real Estate is expensive, though neighborhood pricing varies. 759,000 is the median cost for homes in LA, and Zillow has more detail for home prices in the greater Los Angeles area.

Taxes: California taxes are generally high compared to other states.
California Tax details are here: www.ftb.ca.gov


Transportation: Los Angeles has a massive public transportation system. Details are at the LA Metro website: www.mta.net

Health care:

USC University Hospital www.uscuh.com 323-442-8500
California Medical Center Los Angeles www.strosehospitals.org 213-748-2411
St Vincent Medical Center www.stvincentmedicalcenter.com - (213) 484-7111
Good Samaritan Hospital www.goodsam.org (213) 977-2121
White Memorial Medical Center www.whitememorial.com - (323) 268-5000
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center www.cedars-sinai.edu 310-659-3732
Orthopaedic Hospital www.orthohospital.org 742-1000
County of King-Drew Hospital Los Angeles lacounty.info 310-668-5011
USC-Norris Cancer Hospital ccnt.hsc.usc.edu (323) 865-3000

Travel and tourism:
Here are just a handful of Los Angeles area items.
Disneyland: Disneyland.com Yes, you really need to go to Disneyland. Try for off season and early morning to avoid the massive crowds. Disney's California Adventure is right next door and is not nearly as charming as Disneyland but has some amazing rides like "Soaring over California", a massive full immersion hang glide simulation. Be sure to use the "fast pass" system at Disneyland and California Adventure to help alleviate the wait times.

Hollywood Website Walt Disney Concert Hall Disney Concert Hall website
Mann’s Chinese Theatre Mann’s Theatre Website
Universal Studios Hollywood
Musso & Frank Grill
Spago Beverly Hills
Hotel Bel Air Hotel Bel Air Website
Hollywood Bowl Hollywood Bowl
Mann’s Chinese Theatre (formerly Graumann’s Chinese Theatre) where you see all the star’s prints in the cement. Hey, here’s the webcam

Betsy at About.com has good Los Angeles and Hollywood travel advice.

Retirement in El Centro and Yuma California in the Imperial Valley

El Centro, California and Yuma, California:

East of San Diego in California's travel region known as the "Desert Country", El Centro is
the largest city of Imperial Valley. El Centro is the largest U.S. city that is entirely below sea level at about - 50 feet. This is the key city of the statistical area called 'El Centro, California" which is in fact all of Imperial County.

El Centro's population is approximately 41,000

Retirement Communities:
El Centro Senior Villas: 515 Park Ave, El Centro, CA 760-0370-0635
Heart & Hand 499 S Sunset Dr, El Centro, CA (760) 353-1387

Climate: California Desert Climate. Hot summers, moderate to cold winter nights.

Cost of Living: Moderate by national standards, low for California

Housing Costs in El Centro and Imperial Valley:
Median home price is $265,000 which is very modest by California standards.
Zillow has more detail for home prices in El Centro and the Imperial Valley of California.

Taxes: California taxes are generally high compared to other states.California Tax details are here: www.ftb.ca.gov

Transportation:
Imperial Valley Transit www.ivtransit.com serves the El Centro area with Bus service.

Health care:
El Centro Medical Center: www.ecrmc.org

Travel and Tourism:
El Centro is the largest city of Imperial County, CA. The El Centro Chamber website has a visitors guide and more information: www.elcentrochamber.org

Monday, February 25, 2008

Lake Tahoe California Retirement

Lake Tahoe:

Snowy winters and spectacular natural surroundings combine with large resort casinos and world class skiiing to make Lake Tahoe a very popular travel destination in California. Lake Tahoe is located in the travel region known as the California High Sierra. Lake Tahoe is probably more known as a vacation home area than a retirement area with nearby Reno Nevada the more popular city for retirement in this area.

Retirement Communities:
That's odd, we couldn't find *any* retirement communities in the Lake Tahoe area!

Population: 24,000 people

Climate: Cold, snowy winters and cool summers.

Cost of Living: High - this is a highly travelled tourist area.

Housing Costs:
The Median home price is $515,000
Zillow has more detail for home prices in the Lake Tahoe area, which is home to a lot of vacation homes, mostly for native Californians.

Taxes: California taxes are generally high compared to other states.
California Tax details are here: www.ftb.ca.gov

Transportation: Mostly by personal car, taxi, or special casino shuttles. We could not find a bus service for this small city.

Health care: www.bartonhealth.org

Travel and tourism: www.visitrenotahoe.com

Retiring In Phoenix, Arizona

Phoenix is the capital and the most populous city of the state of Arizona and the county seat of Maricopa County, as well as being the largest state capital in the United States by population. It is the largest city in the American Southwest and the Mountain Time Zone, and is the region's primary government, cultural, economic, and transportation center. Phoenix is located along the banks of the now normally dry Salt River.



Population: The city's estimated population as of 2006 was 1,512,986, making it the fifth largest city in the United States



Climate: Phoenix has an arid climate, and its average annual maximum temperature is the highest of any major US city. The temperature reaches or exceeds 100°F (38°C) on an average of 89 days during the year.



Things to See and Do: Several performing arts venues are found throughout the Phoenix area, but primarily in and around downtown Phoenix and in Scottsdale. One such venue is the Phoenix Symphony Hall, where performances from groups such as Arizona Opera and Ballet Arizona often occur. Concerts also regularly make stops in the area. Venues for concerts include the US Airways Center in downtown Phoenix, Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, and the Dodge theater (also in downtown Phoenix). Phoenix is home to a large number of parks and recreation areas. Many waterparks are scattered around the valley to help residents cope with the harsh desert heat during the summer months. Some of the notable parks include Big Surf in Tempe, Waterworld Safari in Glendale, Golfland SunSplash in Mesa, and the Oasis Water Park at Pointe South Mountain Resort in Phoenix. The area also has one amusement park in central Phoenix called Castles N' Coasters, next to the Metrocenter Mall.



Universities and Colleges: The University of Phoenix is headquartered in Phoenix. There are also ten community colleges and two skills centers throughout Maricopa County, providing adult education.



Transportation: Phoenix is served by Sky Harbor International Airport , which is centrally located in the metro area near several major freeway interchanges east of downtown Phoenix.

Public transportation throughout the metropolitan area is provided by Valley Metro, which operates a system of buses and a rideshare program.



Housing Costs: Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: $184,300 (it was $112,600 in 2000). Median gross rent in 2005: $708.



Retirement Communities: Olive Grove Retirement & Assisted Living Community, www.sunriseseniorliving.com

Monterey, California Retirement & Salinas California Retirement

Monterey California, with neighboring Salinas, is a legendary travel location thanks to the literary masterpiece "Cannery Row" by John Steinbeck. Although the shadows of historical Monterey remain, the area is now an upscale and very popular California tourism destination http://www.canneryrow.com/



The Monterey Bay Aquarium is one of the areas premier attractions. Monterey Bay is considered to be one of the finest aquarium facilities in the world, and is surrounded by a beautiful bayfront with shopping and restaurants as well as locations familiar to those who have read John Steinbeck's American masterpiece "Cannery Row".

Monterey Retirement Communities:
Classic Residence By Hyatt www.hyattclassic.com (831) 373-6126
Canterbury Woods www.ehf.org (831) 373-3111
Carmel Valley Manor www.cvmanor.com (831) 624-1281
Forest Hill Manor www.foresthillmanor.org (831) 657-5200
Pacific Meadows (831) 624-9355
Del Mesa Carmel (831) 624-1853
Hacienda Carmel Community (831) 624-8261

Population: 28,800 in Monterey 145,000 in Salinas

Climate: California Coastal moderate

Cost of Living: High in Monterey, high to moderate in Salinas

Housing Costs:
The Median home price in Monterey is prohibitive at $999,000 so you may want to consider surrounding areas like Salinas wich a median of 520,000.
Zillow has more detail for home prices in Monterey and Salinas

Taxes: California taxes are generally high compared to other states.
California Tax details are here: www.ftb.ca.gov


Health Care:
Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula www.chomp.org (831) 625-4600
Natividad Medical Center www.natividad.com (831) 755-4111
Salinas Valley Memorial Hospital www.svmh.com

Transportation: Monterey Salinas Transit "MST": www.mst.org

Travel and tourism: Monterey County Convention Bureau: www.montereyinfo.org



Sunday, February 24, 2008

San Luis Obispo Retirement in California

San Luis Obispo, with a population of 43,000, is located in California's Central Coast Region.

San Luis Obispo offers the retiree a moderate California Coastal climate but the challenges of very high real estate prices. The median home price here is $827,000 making the cost of living quite high under most circumstances. Of course if you find a reasonably priced place to live your other expenses such as gas and groceries won't differ much from other areas.

San Luis Obispo Retirement:

Village At Sydney Creek www.thevillagesofslo.com (805) 543-2350
Las Brisas Retirement Res. (805) 543-0144
Judson Terrace Homes (805) 544-1600
Senior Living Consultants www.seniorlivingconsultants.com (805) 545-5901
Village At the Oaks www.thevillagesofslo.com (805) 543-2342
Garden Creek www.thevillagesofslo.com (805) 543-2311
Las Brisas Retirement Residence (805) 543-0187
Manse On Marsh www.themanse.net (805) 541-4222
Judson Terrace Lodge (805) 541-4567
Village At the Palms www.thevillagesofslo.com (805) 543-2300

Health Care includes these hospitals:
Sierra Vista Regional Med Center www.sierravistaregional.com
French Hospital Medical Center www.frenchmedicalcenter.org

Travel and Tourism: www.sanluisobispocounty.com

Transportation: www.rideshare.org www.ride-on.org

Santa Maria California Retirement

Santa Maria, California
www.ci.santa-maria.ca.us City Website
www.SantaMaria.com is the official website of the Chamber of Commerce, where they say:

The City of Santa Maria is located in California's Central Coast Wine Country between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. Those fortunate enough to relocate to this peaceful valley will find friendly neighbors, a growing business sector, world-famous Santa Maria Style barbecue, and fabulous California wines.

Santa Maria is in Santa Barbara County and on California's Central Coast.

Santa Maria Retirement Communities:
COUNTRY OAKS CARE CENTER
830 E. CHAPEL, SANTA MARIA CA 93454 805-922-6657

MARIAN MEDICAL CENTER
1530 E. CYPRESS WAY, SANTA MARIA, CA 93454 805-925-7747

VILLA MARIA CARE CENTER
425 E. BARCELLUS AVE., SANTA MARIA CA 93454 805-922-3558

SANTA MARIA CARE CENTER
820 W. COOK ST., SANTA MARIA CA 93458 805-925-8877

Population: 85,ooo

Climate: Santa Maria enjoys the moderate coastal climate typical of California's coastal communities. Moderate temps during the day, cool nights, and mild but often wet winters.

Cost of Living: Moderate for California, high nationally.

Housing Costs: $365,000 median home price. Zillow has a lot more about Santa Maria Real Estate.

Taxes: California taxes are generally high compared to other states.California Tax details are here: www.ftb.ca.gov

Transportation: Santa Maria has SMAT as Bus Service:
ci.santa-maria.ca.us/3075.html


Health care:
Chamber of Commerce / Economic Development

The Santa Maria Valley has a general hospital, 3 urgent care centers and 6 convalescent hospitals. Within an hour's drive of the Santa Maria Valley are three more hospitals: San Luis Obispo’s French Hospital, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and Arroyo Grande Community Hospital.

Marian Medical Center 1400 E. Church Street, Santa Maria, CA 93455 (805) 739-3000

Founded in 1940 by the Sisters of Saint Francis of Penance and Christian Charity, to serve the growing population of Santa Maria, Marian Medical Center, today, is a member of Catholic Healthcare West (CHW), a leading not-for-profit health care system guided by Catholic values. One of the largest medical centers on California's Central Coast, Marian is a 167-bed hospital with two hospital campuses, Marian Medical Center and Marian West. Marian's 95-bed Extended Care Center also provides sub-acute health care for short-term, intermediate or long term care needs.Marian's specialty services include a comprehensive heart center, a cancer program, fully accredited by the American College of Surgeons, two community clinics, a multi-disciplinary rehabilitation center, and a health and wellness center, and an outpatient care center.With over 1300 employees, Marian is one of the largest employers in the Santa Maria Valley.

Central Coast Urgent Care

340 E. Betteravia Road, Santa Maria, CA 93454(805) 922-0561Locally owned and operated for over 20 years. Urgent Care provides a variety of effective medical care treatment. Currently there are 2 orthopedic surgeons and 3 doctors at this facility.

Industrial Medical Group

3070 Skyway Drive #106, Santa Maria, CA 93455(805) 922-8282
The Industrial Medical Group is an association of physicians organized to provide high quality, cost effective health care in partnership with the industrial community.

Marian Urgent Care Center
505
Plaza Drive, Santa Maria, CA 93454(805) 739-3211
Marian Urgent Care Center is a department of the emergency facility of Marian Medical Center which provides a variety of medical services 7 days a week.

Travel and tourism:
www.Santamaria.com is a great visitor resource from the Chamber. Check out this page of attractions: http://www.santamaria.com/visit/vst_arts_culture.html

Check out the progress of the libary and new City Hall on this Santa Maria live cam: http://www.chonline.com/media.smaria/webcam1

Saturday, February 23, 2008

Santa Barbara California Retirement

Santa Barbara:
California's Central Coast region is home to some of the most desired - and most expensive - real estate in the USA. A mild climate, high standards of living, beautiful scenery and relaxed way of life make Santa Barbara a popular place to live.


Santa Barbara Retirement Communities:
Samarkand Retirement Community www.covenantretirement.com
Senior Living Consultants www.seniorlivingconsultants.com
Casa Dorinda Retirement www.casadorinda.com
Valle Verde Retirement Community www.valleverdesb.com
Vista Del Monte Retirement www.frontporch.net (805) 687-0793
Valle Verde Retirement Community (805) 687-1566
Mason Marge Montecito Senior www.margemason.com
Rancho Franciscan Apartments www.towbes.com
Mission Villa (805) 898-2709

Population: 86,000 residents

Climate: Moderate, ocean proximity gives Santa Barbara a very mild climate year-round.

Cost of Living: High

Housing Costs: The median home price in Santa Barbara is a whopping $1,450,000 making this one of the world's most expensive cities in terms of real estate. Zillow has more detail. about home prices in Santa Barbara if you dare to look.

Taxes: California taxes are generally high compared to other states.California Tax details are here: http://www.ftb.ca.gov/

Colleges and Universities:
UC Santa Barbara: http://www.ucsb.edu/
Antioch University Santa Barbara http://www.antiochsb.edu/ (805) 962-8179
Westmont College http://www.westmont.edu/ (805) 565-6000
Santa Barbara Community College
Fielding Graduate University http://www.fielding.edu/ (805) 687-1099
Brooks Institute of Photography http://www.brooks.edu/ (888) 381-4999
UC Administrative Office - http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/ (805) 893-2951
Brooks Institute of Photography: Jefferson Campus http://www.brooks.edu/ (805) 966-3888

Transportation:http://www.sbmtd.gov/

Health care:
Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital http://www.sbch.org/ (805) 682-7111
Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital http://www.sbch.org/ (805) 967-3411
Rehabilitation Institute at Santa Barbara http://www.risb.org/ (805) 687-7444
St Francis Medical Center http://www.stfrancismedicalcenter.org/ (805) 962-7661
Mission Terrace Convalescent Hospital (805) 682-7443
Sanctuary Psychiatric Center http://www.spcsb.org/ (805) 569-2785
St Francis Hospital (805) 962-7661

Travel and Tourism:
http://www.santabarbaraca.com/ is the official site of the Santa Barbara Conference and Tourism Bureau. They describe the area as "The American Riviera" and suggest:
From State Street and the Santa Ynez Mountains to the Channel Islands and the wine country, Santa Barbara basks in sunshine, natural bounty, creativity, cultural sophistication and an appreciation for taking life at your own pace.

Bakersfield California Retirement

Bakersfield, California

Bakersfield lies in California's Central Valley Region, a vast expanse of ranches and farmland that is mostly sparsely populated, though Bakersfield itself is a moderate-sized, thriving city.

Bakersfield Retirement Communities:

Columbus Estates Retirement (661) 872-5855
Rosewood Retirement Community www.rosewoodretirement.org (661) 834-0620
Westchester Gardens www.westchestergardens.com (661) 324-3091
St John Manor (661) 325-3551
Castlewood Retirement Apartments (661) 834-4222
Gables Residential Care LLC (661) 631-2036
Carriage House Estate Rtrmnt (661) 663-8393
Pleasant Care Convalescent (661) 327-7687
Bakersfield Care www.bakersfieldcare.com (661) 398-8802
Redwood Village Inc (661) 398-8802

Population: 308,000

Climate: Hot summers and cool winters with low rainfall. Bakersfield offers the dry and hot climate characteristic of much of central California.

Cost of Living: Moderate

Housing Costs:

Median home value is $279,000. Zillow has more Bakersfield details.

Taxes:
California taxes are generally high compared to other states.
California Tax details are here: www.ftb.ca.gov


Colleges and Universities:
National University www.nu.edu (661) 864-2360
University-California Merced www.ucmerced.edu (661) 861-7941
California State University Bakersfield www.csubak.edu (661) 654-2782
County of Kern: Extension www.ucanr.org (661) 868-6200
Santa Barbara Business College www.sbbcollege.edu
Fresno Pacific University Bakersfield Center www.fresno.edu (661) 864-1515
Bakersfield College www.bc.cc.ca.us (661) 725-8020
Point Loma Nazarene University www.pointloma.edu (661) 321-3480

Transportation:
Bakersfield is served by the "GET" Bus service which stands for Golden Empire Transportion: www.getbus.org

Health care:
www.bakersfieldmemorial.org Bakersfield memorial hospital


Travel and Tourism:
bakersfieldcvb.org is the home of the Bakersfield Convention and Visitors Bureau

Friday, February 22, 2008

Fresno California Retirement

Fresno and Visalia California

Fresno and nearby cities like Visalia are in the Central Valley Region of California. Home to ranches, farming, and orchards, Fresno also offers the amenities of a university community with California's Fresno State.

Fresno and Visalia Retirement Communities:

Windham www.kiscoseniorliving.com (559) 449-8070
Sunrise Assisted Living of Fresno www.sunriseseniorliving.com (559) 325-8170
Carrington Pointe (559) 298-4900
Fig Garden Retirement Residence (559) 346-1422
Holiday Retirement Fig Grdn www.holidaytouch.com (559) 432-6213
Hope Manor Inc Health (559) 268-5361
Twilight Haven www.twilighthaven.com (559) 251-8417
Residential Home Care Services www.residentialhomecare.com (559) 435-8138
Sierra Villa Rest Home www.sierravillaresthome.com (559) 299-5579
-----------
Quail Park www.quail-park.com (559) 624-3500
Prestige Assisted Living at Visalia www.prestigecare.com (559) 735-0828
Town Meadows (559) 627-2220
Walnut Park Retirement (559) 739-1339
Park Visalia Assistant Living LLC (559) 625-3388
Casa Grande Senior Care H www.casagrandeseniorcarecenter.com
TLC Assisted Living-Seniors (559) 627-5683
Meadows (559) 734-3275
Sierra Village Assisted Living www.sierravillage.com

Population: 467,000

Climate: Hot dry summers, cool winters, low rainfall.

Cost of Living: Moderate

Housing Costs:
Median home price in Fresno is 300,000. Zillow has the home pricing details for the Fresno area here.

Taxes:
California taxes are generally high compared to other states.
California Tax details: www.ftb.ca.gov

Colleges and Universities:
Fresno Pacific University www.fresno.edu (559) 453-2000
California State University Fresno www.csufresno.edu (559) 298-6072
Fresno City College - www.fresnocitycollege.edu - (559) 442-4600
UC San Francisco-Fresno: Psychiatry - www.fresno.ucsf.edu
Heald College of Business www.heald.edu (559) 438-4222
Alliant International University www.alliant.edu (559) 456-2777
University of California San Francisco-Fresno: Psychiatry www.fresno.ucsf.edu

Transportation:
Fresno Area Bus is called FAX: www.fresno.gov/DiscoverFresno/PublicTransportation
http://www.ruraltransit.org


Fresno Health care:

Community Medical Center www.communitymedical.org
Fresno Heart Hospital www.fresnoheart.com (559) 433-8000
Fresno Surgical Hospital www.fresnosurgerycenter.com (559) 431-8000
St. Agnes Medical Center - www.samc.com (559) 450-3000
Kaiser Permanente Hospital www.kaiserpermanente.org (559) 448-4500

Travel and tourism:
Fresno is a key gateway to three amazing national parks: Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia. The last two parks border each other
www.fresnocvb.org
Online Visitors Guide

Flagstaff, Arizona Retirement



Flagstaff (Navajo: Kinłání) is a city located in northern Arizona, in the southwestern United States. It is the county seat of Coconino County. In 2005, Men's Journal named Flagstaff as No. 2 on its Best Places to Live list, and National Geographic cited the city in its list of "10 Great Towns That Will Make You Feel Young." The city is named after a Ponderosa Pine flagpole made by a scouting party from Boston (known as the "Flagstaff Tea Party") to celebrate the United States Centennial on July 4, 1876. Flagstaff lies near the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau and along the western side of the largest contiguous ponderosa pine forest in the continental United States



Population: As of July 2006, the city's estimated population was 58,213, with a Metropolitan Statistical Area population of 124,953



Climate: Flagstaff has a highland semi-arid climate with four distinct seasons. The combination of high altitude and low humidity provide mild weather conditions throughout most of the year, and the predominantly clear air radiates daytime heating effectively. Temperatures often fall precipitously after sunset throughout the year, and winter nights can be very cold. Winter weather patterns in Flagstaff are cyclonic and frontal in nature, originating in the eastern Pacific Ocean. These deliver periodic, widespread snowfall followed by extended periods of fair weather.



Colleges and Universities: Flagstaff is home to two institutions of higher education, Northern Arizona University (one of the three public state universities in Arizona), and Coconino Community College.



Transportation: Passenger rail service is provided by Amtrak at the downtown station, connecting on east-west routes to Los Angeles and Albuquerque via the Southwest Chief line.

Air travel is available through Flagstaff Pulliam Airport , located just south of the city. The airport is primarily a small, general aviation airport.



Health Care: The city's primary hospital is the 270–bed Flagstaff Medical Center, located on the north side of downtown Flagstaff. The hospital was founded in 1936, and serves as the major regional trauma center for northern Arizona.



Housing Costs: Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: $241,200 (it was $161,000 in 2000)


Things To See and Do:
The Grand Canyon is located approximately 120 miles North of Flagstaff. Meteor Crater, the world's largest intact meteor impact crater is located 35 miles East of Flagstaff. The Arizona Snowbowl is located on the San Francisco Peaks and is the major ski resort and winter fun site for the area. Coconino National Forest surrounds the area and provides many scenic views, trails and outdoor recreation opportunities.



Retirement Communities: The Peaks offers the full continuum of care and services including Independent Living, either in the Bungalows or the Lodge, Assisted Living and Memory Care. We allow our residents to "age in place" which allows them to remain in their apartment homes and have increased services brought to them.

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Modesto California Retirement

Modesto California

Like her larger neighbor to the north Stockton California, Modesto offers hot summers, cool winters, and the rural ranch and farming style of central California. Modesto's proximity to Yosemite National Park and the mountains of California make it a key travel gateway to some of the best hiking and outdoor recreation in the world. However, the city itself is not considered a major tourism destination.

Retirement Communities:
Bethel Retirement Community http://www.bethelretirement.com/ 209) 577-1901
Casa De Modesto Retirement Center http://www.casademodesto.org/ (209) 529-4950
Dale Commons Assisted Living http://www.dalecommons.com/ (209) 526-2053
Seasons At Modesto http://www.oakdaleheights.com/ (209) 491-0800
Courtyard at Merced Assisted Living & Memory Care http://www.sundialslc.com/ (209) 524-0808
Stratford At Beyer Park http://www.stratfordbp.com/ (209) 236-1900

Population: Modesto has 206,000 people

Climate: Hot summers, mild to cold winters, low rainfall - overall moderate climate

Cost of Living: Moderate to high

Housing Costs: Median home cost is $309,000 Zillow has extensive Modesto house price information:

Taxes: California taxes are generally high compared to other states.California Tax details are here: http://www.ftb.ca.gov/

Colleges and Universities:
Modesto Junior College http://www.gomjc.org/ (209) 575-6789
Yosemite Community College http://www.yosemite.cc.ca.us/ (209) 575-6498
U of Phoenix-Modesto Learning Center - www.phoenix.edu - (209) 543-0153


Transportation: http://www.modestoareaexpress.com/ Modesto Area Express

Health care:
Memorial Medical Center http://www.memorialmedicalcenter.org/ (209) 526-4500
Doctors Medical Center of Modesto http://www.dmc-modesto.com/ (209) 576-3609
Kaiser Permanente http://www.kaiserpermanente.org/ (209) 557-1000
Kindred Hospital Modesto http://www.khmodesto.com/ (209) 523-9006
Memorial Hospitals Association http://www.memorialmedicalcenter.org/ (209) 526-4500
Doctor's Medical Center http://www.dmc-modesto.com/ (209) 578-1211
Country Villa Nursing & Rehab http://www.hcmi.net/ (209) 526-2811
Hy-Lond Convalescent Hospital (209) 526-1775
Crestwood Manor http://www.crestwoodmanor.com/ (209) 526-8050

Travel and tourism:
Modesto Visitor Bureau: http://www.modestocvb.org/
Blue Diamond Almond has a fun "Almond Tasting" and video: Blue Diamond Almond
4800 Sisk Road (209) 545-6229

Retire To Kotzebue, Alaska

Kotzebue lies on a sand spit at the end of the Baldwin Penninsula in the Kotzebue Sound where the Noatak, Kobuk and Selawik rivers end. The Kotzebue Sound was named after Otto von Kotzebue who 'discovered' the sound while exploring for Russia in 1818. The site was a trading location for local natives for hundreds of years. A post office was established in 1899.

Population: As of the census of 2007, there were 3,109 people

Climate: Kotzebue is located in the transitional climate zone, which is characterized by long, cold winters and cool summers. The average low temperature during January is -12; the average high during July is 58.

Health Care: Local hospitals or health clinics include Maniilaq Medical Health Center (442-3321). The hospital is a qualified Acute Care facility.

Transportation: Air is the primary means of transportation year-round. The State-owned Ralph Wien Memorial Airport supports daily jet service to Anchorage and several air taxis to the region's villages. It has a 5,900' long by 150' wide main paved runway and 3,800' long by 100' wide crosswind gravel runway. A seaplane base is also operated by the State.

Housing Costs: Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: $134,600 (it was $116,700 in 2000)

Retiring In Fairbanks, Alaska

Fairbanks, Alaska, 358 miles north of Anchorage (by way of the Parks Highway), likes to think that it (instead of Delta) is the end of the Alaska Highway. Its central location makes it the focal point for the tiny villages scattered throughout the surrounding wilderness, and Fairbanks is a staging point for North Slope villages such as Barrow and the oil fields of Prudhoe Bay. Yet, unlike Anchorage, it still retains its down home "frontier" feel. It is contained within the North Star Borough, similar to a county, but which is roughly the size of New Jersey

Climate: Interior temperatures range from 65 degrees below zero in the winter to 90 degrees above in the summer. Gardening is big in the Interior.

Population: As of the census of 2000, there were 30,224 people.

Transportation: Regularly scheduled jet flights are available at the state-owned Fairbanks International Airport. An 11,800-foot (3,597 meter) asphalt runway, heliport, and seaplane landing strip are available.

Taxes: There is not a sales tax.

Things to do and see: Creamer's Field Migratory Waterfowl Refuge
Georgeson Botanical Garden
Pioneer Park
University of Alaska Museum of the North
Riverboat Discovery

Health Care: Local hospitals or health clinics include Fairbanks Memorial Hospital; Interior Community Health Center; Chief Andrew Isaac Health Center; Bassett Army Community Hospital/Fort Wainwright.

Universities: Fairbanks is home to the University of Alaska Fairbanks, the oldest college in Alaska.

Housing Costs: Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: $145,800 (it was $126,400 in 2000)

Stockton California Retirement

Stockton, California lies in the central region of California in the tourist destination known as the "Gold Country". Home to large ranches and farms, Stockton offers many rural ameneties for a fairly large California city.

Selected Stockton Retirement Communities:
O'Connor Woods Retirement Community http://www.oconnorwoods.org/ (209) 956-3400
Plymouth Square http://www.rhf.org/ (209) 466-4341
Rio Las Palmas Gracious Retirement Living (209) 957-4711
Camlu Retirement Community (209) 951-2030
Sunny Place of Stockton http://www.sunnyplaceofstockton.com/ (209) 956-8677
Merrill Gardens At Carson Oaks http://www.merrillgardens.com/ (209) 957-6257
Atria Senior Living Group http://www.atriaseniorliving.com/ (209) 473-1300
Somerford Place http://www.somerford.com/ (209) 951-6500
Cherokee Retirement Homes (209) 931-4206
Delta Plaza Senior Apartments (209) 464-9212

The Population of Stockton, California is 290,000

Climate: Very hot summers, cool winters. Moderate overall climate.

Cost of Living: Moderate

Housing Costs: Median home price is 319,000. Zillow has a lot more about Stockton, CA.

Taxes:
California generally has high taxes compared to other states. California Taxation details are here: http://www.ftb.ca.gov/

Colleges and Universities:
University of the Pacific www.pacific.edu (209) 946-2011
San Joaquin Delta College: Stockton Campus www.deltacollege.edu
CSUS Stanislaus: Stockton Center www.stockton.csustan.edu (209) 467-5300
Heald College www.heald.edu (209) 477-1114
Humphreys College: Stockton Campus www.humphreys.edu (209) 478-0800
Western Career College, Stockton www.westerncollege.edu (888) 203-9947
Maric College: Stockton www.mariccollege.com
San Joaquin Delta College: Middle College www.deltacollege.edu (209) 954-5790
San Joaquin Delta College: Small Business Development Center - (209) 954-5089

Transportation: San Jaoquin Regional Transportation District serves the Stockton area: http://www.sanjoaquinrtd.com/

Health care:
St Joseph's Medical Center of Stockton http://www.saintjosephs.org/ (209) 943-2000
St Joseph's Behavioral Health http://www.stjosephscanhelp.org/ (209) 461-2000
San Joaquin General Hospital: Human Resources http://www.co.san-joaquin.ca.us/ (209) 468-3370
Dameron Hospital http://www.dameronhospital.org/ (209) 944-5550
San Joaquin County Mental Health http://www.co.san-joaquin.ca.us/ (209) 468-8700
San Joaquin General Hospital: Central Valley http://www.co.san-joaquin.ca.us/ (209) 468-8185

Travel and tourism: www.VisitStockton.org is the travel information website, and you'll find things to see and do in Stockton here

Wednesday, February 20, 2008

Juneau, Alaska Retirement

The City and Borough of Juneau, is a unified municipality located on the Gastineau Channel on the Alexander Archipelago in the state of Alaska. It has been the capital of Alaska since 1906, when the government of the then-Alaska Territory was moved from Sitka.

Population: As of the 2000 census, there were 30,700 people.

Things to see and do: Juneau is home to Perseverance Theatre, Alaska's only professional theater. The area hosts the annual Alaska Folk Festival and Juneau Jazz & Classics music festivals, and the Juneau Symphony performs regularly. Downtown Juneau boasts dozens of art galleries, which participate in the monthly First Friday Gallery Walk and the enormously popular December Gallery Walk held in the first week of December. The Juneau Arts & Humanities Council coordinates events while fund-raising, distributing some grant money, and operating a gallery at its office near 2nd Street and Franklin Street. On summer Friday evenings open-air music and dance performances are held at Marine Park. The University of Alaska Southeast Campus also offers lectures, concerts, and theater performances.

Universities: University of Alaska Southeast

Climate: Remember your rain jacket. The Juneau and Inside Passage climate is wet. It rains, on average, between 3 inches (April) and 7 inches (September) a month. Average summer high temperatures are in the 50s, with lows in the 40s. The average high temperature in July is 65 °F (18 °C), and the average low temperature in January is 20 °F (-7 °C).

Transportation: Air North services Juneau year-round from Whitehorse, Canada three times a week via a 50-minute flight. The Alaska Marine Highway ferry system offers auto and passenger connections to Juneau. From the north, board the ferry in Skagway or Haines. From the south, board the ferry from Bellingham or Prince Rupert. Ferry service is available all year, but during the summer, the frequency of service increases.

Health Care: Bartlett Regional Hospital - Northern Southeast Alaska's premier healthcare provider. 3260 Hospital Drive.

Housing Costs: Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: $225,000 (it was $195,100 in 2000)

Retire in Anchorage, Alaska

Anchorage, Alaska is affectionately known as the City of Lights and Flowers. As a major seaport and trading center, Anchorage is Alaska's largest city. It has a simply stunning location, resting on both the shores of the Cook Inlet and the base of the Chugach Mountains. Anchorage benefits from being the long held urban epicenter of Alaska, while being surrounded by the massive beauty of one of the last great areas of unspoiled wilderness.

Population: Nearly 260,000 residents

Housing Costs: Median house value: $270,000

Health Care: ALASKA NATIVE MEDICAL CENTER, PHS (4315 DIPLOMACY DR)
ALASKA PSYCHIATRIC INSTITUTE (2900 PROVIDENCE DRIVE)
COLUMBIA ALASKA REGIONAL HOSPITAL (2801 DEBARR ROAD)
NORTH STAR HOSPITAL (2530 DEBARR RD)
PROVIDENCE ALASKA MEDICAL CENTER (3200 PROVIDENCE DRIVE,BOX 196604


Colleges and Universities: UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE (Full-time enrollment: 9,453; Location: 3211 PROVIDENCE DR; Public; Website: www.uaa.alaska.edu; Offers Master's degree)
ALASKA PACIFIC UNIVERSITY (FT enrollment: 504; Location: 4101 UNIVERSITY DR; Private, not-for-profit; Offers Master's degree

Climate: Anchorage has a subarctic climate due to its short, cool summers. Average daytime summer temperatures range from approximately 55 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit (13 to 26 degrees Celsius); average daytime winter temperatures are about 5 to 30 degrees (-15 to -1 degrees Celsius). Anchorage has a frost-free growing season that averages slightly over 100 days

Transportation: The Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport, six miles (10 km) from downtown Anchorage, is the airline hub for the state, served by many national and international airlines, including Seattle-based Alaska Airlines as well as a many intrastate airlines and charter air services
The Alaska Railroad offers year-round freight and passenger service along the length of its rail system from Seward (the southern terminus of the system) to Fairbanks (the northern terminus of the system), although passenger service is less frequent in winter than in summer, and some passenger terminals are not serviced in winter

Anchorage also has a bus system called People Mover, with a central hub in downtown Anchorage and satellite hubs at Dimond Center and Muldoon Mall. The People Mover provides carpool organization services. The public paratransit service known as AnchorRides provides point-to-point accessible transportation services to seniors and those who experience disabilities

Things To Do and See:
Alaska Center for the Performing Arts
Anchorage Concert Association
Anchorage Municipal Libraries
Anchorage Museum
Anchorage Opera
Anchorage Symphony Orchestra

Retirement Communities: Alaska retirement homes guide from RetirementHomes.com, a comprehensive directory of retirement homes and retirement communities, senior communities, elder care and long term care facilities.

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Sacramento California Retirement

Sacramento

The Capital of California is located in California's "Gold Country" travel region in the inland central and somewhat northern portion of the state. Home to some of the state's richest history and most important Government agencies, Sacramento blends an extensive Government presence with historic and new neighborhoods. Old Town Sacramento offers tourists and local folks as well a step back into historic times. This area of several square blocks offers shopping, some excellent dining, and one of the best RailRoad museums in the country.

Retirement Communities and Retirement Services in Sacramento:

Pioneer House-Retirement www.pioneerhouseretirement.org (916) 442-4906
Rivers Edge Retirement Community (916) 447-4444
Campus Commons Retirement (916) 929-3966
Ivy Ridge Retirement Home www.ivyridgehome.com (916) 451-1212
Rivers Edge Retirement Community www.hfprop.com (916) 921-5131
Golden Pond Retirement Community www.crmscommunities.com (916) 369-8967
Carlton Plaza Active & Assisted Living (916) 971-4800
Eskaton Monroe Lodge www.eskaton.org (916) 441-1015
California Association of Homes & Services -Aging www.aging.org (916) 392-5111

Population: Sacramento is home to 454,000 people

Climate: Moderate winters, hot and dry summers.

Cost of Living: Moderate

Housing Costs: Moderate. Median home price is $304,000. Zillow has the details.

Taxes: California taxes are high taxes compared to other states.
California Tax details are here: http://www.ftb.ca.gov/

Colleges and Universities:

California State University Sacramento www.csus.edu (916) 278-6011
UC Davis Extension www.extension.ucdavis.edu (530) 757-8777
American River College www.arc.losrios.edu (916) 484-8011
Sacramento City College www.scc.losrios.edu (916) 558-2111
California State Universities www.ecs.csus.edu (916) 445-5983
Cosumnes River College www.crc.losrios.edu (916) 691-7344
Western Career College, Sacramento www.westerncollege.edu (888) 203-9947
High-Tech Institute - Sacramento www.hightechinstitute.edu

Transportation: Sacramento Regional Transit: www.sacrt.com

Health care:
Mercy General Hospital (916) 453-4545
Sutter Medical Center www.suttermedicalcenter.org (916) 454-2222
Sutter General Hospital www.suttermedicalcenter.org (916) 454-2222
Sutter Memorial Hospital www.suttermedicalcenter.org (916) 454-3333
Sacramento Center-Hematology www.sacramentocancer.com (916) 454-6700
Heritage Oaks Hospital www.psysolutions.com (916) 489-3336
Shriners Hospital www.shrinershq.org (916) 453-2000
Sutter Health www.sutterhealth.org (916) 733-8800
UC Davis Health System www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu (916) 734-3797
UC Davis Health System: Cardiology www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu (916) 734-3456

Travel and tourism:
http://www.sacramentocvb.org Sacramento Visitor and Convention Bureau
Sacramento Discover Gold tourism site.

Gulf Shores, Alabama Retirement

In Gulf Shores, our pleasant climate, natural beauty and Southern hospitality unite to form what visitors and residents fondly call “Pleasure Island”. We strive to maintain our family atmosphere and hometown flavor.

Retirement Community:
Liveoak Village Planned Urban Development and Wellness Center
... Now you can enjoy your early morning walks even more knowing you have purchased your new home in one of Alabama’s Premier Active 55+ Gated Communities. At Liveoak Village you’ll find more than just comfort and peace of mind. ...www.liveoakvillage.com/



Population: 5,039 (2006)

Sales Tax/General Use Tax
Tax on the purchase of general merchandise is as follows:
State of Alabama: 4%
Baldwin County: 2%
Gulf Shores: 3%
Total: 9%


Health Care: SOUTH BALDWIN REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
1613 N. McKenzie St., Foley 251-949-3400
Other hospitals are located in Mobile, Pensacola, Fairhope and Bay Minette. All are within one hour of Gulf Shores and Orange Beach.


LOCATOR AND TRANSPORTATION INFORMATION :
Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are flanked by historic Fort Morgan to the west, Florida to the east, and the Gulf of Mexico to the south. The Intracoastal Waterway separates the island from the mainland and accommodates water traffic and trade from across the country. The
area is easily accessible from both Interstates 65 and 10. Four-lane Alabama Hwy. 59 brings travelers directly into Gulf Shores. Located
conveniently between Mobile, Alabama (50 miles to the northwest) and Pensacola, Florida (35 miles to the east), Gulf Shores and Orange
Beach are less than a day’s drive from major Southeastern cities