Living out your retirement on the West Coast might seem like a dream come true. It can be a dreamland thanks to its beautiful scenery, nice weather, and exciting culture. However, the price tag for a cozy retirement can be very different depending on which city you choose. Here’s a look at what you can expect in five big cities on the West Coast:
West Coast Retirement Cities: San Francisco, California
San Francisco is famous for its Golden Gate Bridge and hilly streets. However, the city is also known for being super expensive.Â
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Just living comfortably when you’re older here can easily cost over $100,000 a year. The biggest expense is housing, with the average home costing over a million bucks and rent being very high too. And that’s not all, you also have many other things to think about.
Golden Retirement Near the Golden Gate BridgeÂ
In San Francisco, you also have to think about healthcare, getting around, and having fun. So, if you want to retire here and live it up, you’ll need a lot of money saved up.Â
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According to the San Francisco Chronicle, retiring here costs a massive $1.37 million. This amount is almost 40% more than the national average. So, it’s like having some seriously pricey golden years right next to the Golden Gate Bridge.
Los Angeles, CaliforniaÂ
Los Angeles, known for Hollywood and its stunning beaches, is a pricey place for retirees. To enjoy a comfortable retirement here, you’ll need to plan for around $80,000 to $90,000 per year. According to KTLA, retirees in California should aim for about $90,399 annually to live comfortably.
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Although housing costs are a bit lower here than in San Francisco, they are still pretty high. Plus, getting around can be expensive since LA is so spread out and residents mostly rely on cars.
Seattle, WashingtonÂ
In Seattle, Washington, you will get a bit of both city life and nature vibes. This is because the city is nestled near Puget Sound and Lake Washington.
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To retire here comfortably, you’ll likely need about $70,000 to $80,000 per year. Even though it’s cheaper than big cities in California, housing costs are still pretty high. But hey, there’s lots of great places to eat and cool stuff to do, so you’ll want to budget for fun too.
Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon is famous for its beautiful parks, cool bridges, and bike-friendly paths. It’s also known for being eco-friendly and having lots of cozy coffee spots. Compared to other cities on the West Coast, Portland is a bit easier on the wallet. If you’re thinking about retiring here, you might need around $60,000 to $70,000 per year to live comfortably.
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Housing costs here are lower than the cost in places like California or Seattle. There are also plenty of things to do and services available that retirees would enjoy.
San Diego, California
San Diego is well-known for its beautiful beaches, parks, and warm weather. Many people choose to retire here because of its relaxed lifestyle and abundance of outdoor things to do.Â
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If you’re thinking about retiring in San Diego, you’ll need to budget around $75,000 to $85,000 per year to live comfortably. While housing can be pricey, it’s not as expensive as in Los Angeles or San Francisco.
Enjoy a Cozy RetirementÂ
Living on the West Coast means dealing with higher living costs. However, it will be worth it because you will get to enjoy stunning scenery. As a retiree, you will also enjoy lots of cultural and recreational activities.Â
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Planning your finances carefully is important to make sure you have a cozy retirement in these lively cities on the West Coast.