11 Best Places to Retire in California

7. San Diego

Score: 14

Median home price: $437,200

Cost of living index: 157.2

Crime index: 48

Doctors per 100k: 288

Average commute time: 24.25

Home to over 3.1 million people, San Diego, is one of the most populated counties in California and one of its most famous at the same time. This is the county that’s at the southwest corner of the state, enjoying a coastline on two of its sides, adding up to over 70 miles. The climate in the area is mild Mediterranean so you should enjoy quite nice weather most of the time.

This is an area that’s particularly popular with the navy and the military as 16 installations can be found here, including the Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and the Naval Base San Diego. The county’s geography is made out of small canyons, mesas, hills, but also mountains in the northeast and the Sonoran Desert in the east.

The median home price in the area is a bit high, namely over $437,200, while the cost of living index is 157.2, which isn’t exactly great. The number of doctors per 100,000 residents is 288, however, and the crime index is 48, meaning it’s relatively safe. The average commute time is also a bit over 24 minutes.

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