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.

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

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.

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

Retiring To Mobile, Alabama

More than a quarter of a million people live in the metropolitan area that covers 128 square miles. And though Mobile offers the amenities and infrastructure of a major metropolitan area, it has retained its sense of community and friendliness. The rest of the world is taking notice: Mobile has been honored with an All-America City designation by the National Civic League. A recent survey ranked the city as one of the top five most "polite" cities in the nation, and Mobile consistently ranks high in Money Magazine's "300 Best Places to Live" issue


Population: Mobile is the third most populous city in the state of Alabama and is the county seat of Mobile County. The population within the city limits was 198,915 as of the 2000 census


Mobile has a number of colleges and universities.
Bishop State Community College
Capps College
Faulkner University
Southeast College of Technology
Spring Hill College
University of Mobile
University of South Alabama
The University Of Alabama School Of Social Work - Distance Learning Program

Climate: Mobile's geographical location on the Gulf of Mexico provides a mild subtropical climate, with an average annual temperature of 67.5 °F (20 °C). Normal January through December temperatures range from 40 °F (4 °C) minimum and 91 °F (33 °C) maximum. Mobile has hot, humid summers and mild, rainy winters. A 2007 study by WeatherBill, Inc. determined that Mobile is the wettest city in the contiguous 48 states, with 67 inches of average annual rainfall

Health Care: Mobile serves the central Gulf Coast as a regional center for medicine. The city is served by over 850 physicians and 175 dentists. There are four major medical centers within the city limits: Mobile Infirmary Medical Center with 704 beds, Springhill Medical Center with 252 beds, Providence Hospital with 349 beds, and the University of South Alabama Medical Center with 346 beds and a level I trauma center. Additionally, the University of South Alabama also operates USA Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

Transportation: Local airline passengers are served by the Mobile Regional Airport which directly connects to six major hub airports: Charlotte, Dallas, Atlanta, Houston, Chicago, and Memphis. It is served by American Airlines, Continental Express, Delta Air Lines, Northwest Airlink and US Airways Express

Housing Cost: Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: $97,000 (it was $81,400 in 2000