[quote=The-Shoveler]That is the biggest complaint I hear from bay area workers, retirees don’t move!!
You do not hear that as much in LA or SD but there is a lot of I am staying until they carry me out here as well.[/quote]
This is because the SF Bay area is relatively close to the rugged and spectacular CA north coast, the best wine regions in the country, Mt Shasta and Lake Tahoe (boating/skiing/hiking) . . . for starters. All of these areas are doable 3-7 hr (one-way) trips and certainly very doable long weekend trips.
And many (mostly peninsula but all over bay area) retirees have season tix to the 49ers (Candlestick Park), Stanford sporting events and the Mountain Winery (concerts, tasting, etc), for example.
These types of spectacular venues (ambiance, etc) can’t be recreated in SoCal … or even in the inland bay area and Central CA. These other regions are not only lacking the topography, they’re lacking the towering redwoods among a cool Mediterranean climate creating intimate entertainment settings. In the case, of Stanford, the campus is situated on one of the most beautiful elevations in the state (if not the country). Its world-class olympic pool, stadium and grounds are absolutely pristine as are its observation platforms!
The bay view driving into SF (northbound) on the 101 with Candlestick Park/the Brisbane in the foreground is absolutely breathtaking to me, esp at sunset. It’s one of my all-time favorites and brings back a LOT of memories.
Los Angeles County doesn’t offer quite this level of open space until one gets nearly 50+ miles east of the ocean (bordering SB County) i.e. Walnut, Diamond Bar. Although the up close and personal views of the towering (and sometimes snowcapped) San Gabriels are beautiful, this area is nonetheless very hot (95+ deg) 8 months per year and plagued by over-trucked state highways in middling to poor condition which tend to be at a standstill most of the day on the east side (SB/Riv County lines).
Parts of inland Central CA and nearly all of So-Cal is essentially an irrigated desert. Although there are many beautiful areas in SoCal, the fact that is IS a desert can’t be fixed.
Aside from not wanting to leave family members (as joec mentioned) the above list are just more reasons why most of the longtime residents of the bay area are choosing to retire in place, imho.
I disagree with joec about one thing, however. I believe most of the current retirees in the most desirable, close-in bay area communities have paid-off homes. Thus, they could care less what the local RE market is currently doing. That’s for their heirs to figure out …. someday 🙂
