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