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

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

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

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
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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.

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)