Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Santa Rosa California Retirement

Thinking of retiring in Santa Rosa, California?

Santa Rosa, like Eureka and Crescent City, is located on California's Northern Coast, but south of those cities. A comfortable climate and high standard of living make many California cities high on the list of retirement destinations, although Santa Rose is less familiar to many than cities like San Diego California.

Retirement Communities: Friends house and Vineyard Commons offer quality independent living. More retirement communities can be found here.

Santa Rosa Population: 156,000 (2005)

CNN Demographic Profile for Santa Rosa

Climate: Hot summers and mild, cool winters make Santa Rosa's climate comfortable for most people. The dry heat of California is very different from points north and east, so it's a good idea to spend some time in a community before moving there.

Cost of Living: High

Housing Costs: High. See this Zillow link for more Santa Rosa Housing Data

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

Colleges and Universities: Santa Rosa Junior College and Sonoma State University in the UC system offer many classes and courses in various disciplines.

Santa Rosa Transportation: Santa Rosa City Bus offers in city transportation while Sonoma County Transit provides bus service regionally.

Health care: Santa Rosa Memorial Hospital: http://www.santarosamemorial.org
Sutter Hospital: http://www.suttersantarosa.org/

Travel and tourism: Visit the Santa Rosa Chamber website fo more about travel, hotels, and lodging in the Santa Rose area: http://www.santarosachamber.com/ or contact them for free information: Santa Rosa Chamber of Commerce, 637 First Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95404.
707.545.1414

Eureka California Retirement

Eureka is on the northern California Coast. Like Crescent City, Eureka offers some magnificent coastal and Redwood forest scenery, hiking, and outdoor adventure wrapped in a sometimes downtrodden city landscape.

Retirement Communities: Yahoo Local lists several retirement communities in the Eureka area

Population: About 25000

Climate: Very rainy with mild to cool temperatures pretty much year-round.

Cost of Living: Moderate to high due to high Real Estate costs

Housing Costs: Eureka Housing Information from Zillow

Taxes: California generally has high taxes. California Tax details are here: http://www.ftb.ca.gov/

Higher Education: College of the Redwoods is based in Eureka and serves the Northern Coastal region. Humboldt State University is located in Arcata California, about 15 miles North of Eureka. Humboldt State is part of the California University System offering up to Masters degrees in many subjects.

Transportation: Redwood Coast Transit provides dial a ride service throughout parts of the region.

Health care: St Josephs Hospital is a major regional health care facility: http://www.stjosepheureka.org

Travel and tourism: Eureka offers Redwoods and Coastal scenery that are spectacular and just a short drive from town either north or south along Highway 101. Consider a trip out to the North Jetty for wave watching and on to the Samoa Cookhouse for lumberjack style meals served family style. Timber was king in this region for many years and for many the Cookhouse brings back the feel of those times. Eureka Chamber of Commerce: http://www.eurekachamber.com

Crescent City California Retirement

Crescent City lies on the Northern California Coast, about 20 miles south of the California - Oregon Border. Home to Redwood National Park and some of the finest coastal scenery in the USA, natural beauty is abundant in this region. Unfortunately the Crescent City economy is not so beautiful with a relatively weak job market with many low paying jobs, leading to some community challenges. The stretch of California Highway 101 passing through Crescent City gives a bad impression of the city, but also reflects the fact that this area is a far cry from the more luxurious standards of California Retirement areas like San Diego and San Francisco.

Retirement Communities: Couldn't find any! If you know of one please let us know.

Population: About 5000

Climate: Very rainy with mild to cool temperatures pretty much year-round.

Cost of Living: Moderate

Housing Costs: Moderate

Taxes: California generally has high taxes. Details: http://www.ftb.ca.gov/

Higher Education: College of the Redwoods

Transportation: Redwood Coast Transit provides dial a ride service throughout parts of the region.

Health care: Sutter Coast Hospital . Sutter Coast Hospital is a 59 bed acute care, community-based, not-for-profit hospital offers many forms of care at the Crescent City

Travel and tourism: Check out the Del Norte Chamber website for information about travel and tourism in this amazing region. The Redwoods and Coastal scenery are magnificent.