California offers active adults a dynamic range of climates, cities, and cultures. From the Northern California (“NorCal”) lifestyle of San Francisco to the sprawling metropolis of Los Angeles to the laidback desert vibe of Palm Springs, retirees can take their pick of idyllic Californian regions ideal for retirement. California’s diversity extends to its affordability. Although much of the state retains a high cost of living, not everyone needs to be a movie star or Silicon Valley tycoon to afford a home in the Golden State. Retirees can find plenty of homes for sale under $200k in California, including many options in 55+ communities.
California’s age-restricted communities allow residents to surround themselves with like-minded individuals and convenient amenities while also taking advantage of the rich culture of the surrounding area.
Homes for Sale Under $200k in California
Banning Estates – Banning, CA
High $100k – Low $300k
Located in the San Gorgonio Pass just 30 minutes southeast of San Bernardino, Banning Estates offers retirees affordable homes in Southern California. Interested homebuyers can find homes for sale under $200k that come with a low-maintenance lifestyle thanks to a homeowners’ association (HOA) that takes care of all grounds and common area maintenance.
Banning Estates includes amenities like a clubhouse, outdoor resort-style pool, and tennis courts. Residents can participate in community-led gatherings like game nights, group outings, and arts and crafts. Some of the best of Southern California’s natural areas can be reached from Banning Estates, including Joshua Tree National Park, Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, and San Bernardino National Forest.
Bella Vista Park – Yountville, CA
Mid $100s – Mid $300s
The 83 manufactured homes in Bella Vista Park range from the mid $100s to the mid $300s, providing affordable housing for retirees in Napa Valley. Wine lovers find themselves in the heart of one of the most famous wine hotspots in the country, with Yountville alone including several venues for tastings.
The mild Northern California climate allows residents to enjoy the outdoor pool and explore the surrounding area throughout all four seasons. The floor plans at Bella Vista Park range from 600 to 1,900 square feet, posing an ideal opportunity for active adults to downsize and focus on life outside of the home.
Homes for Sale in the Low $200s in California
Highland Springs Country Club – Cherry Valley, CA
Low $200s – Low $400s
Active adults who enjoy golf should take a look at Highland Springs Country Club, a community of 289 single-family homes. The community features a nine-hole golf course, a putting green, and a driving range. Additionally, residents enjoy resort-style amenities like a packed clubhouse, outdoor pool, and tennis courts. The homes range from 900 to more than 1,600 square feet with options in the low $200s.
From Highland Springs Country Club, active adults can reach both San Bernardino and Palm Springs within 30 minutes. The small town of Cherry Valley includes the necessary daily conveniences as well as local museums and regional parks.
Jess Ranch – Apple Valley, CA
High $100s – Mid $400s
Jess Ranch allows residents to enjoy the best parts of Southern California with 2,120 single-family, attached, and condominium homes. The homes range in size and price, but options in the low $200s offer affordable abodes. The community includes a clubhouse and outdoor pool. Also, neighbors gather for activities like fitness classes and art clubs.
The nearby towns of Apple Valley, Victorville, and Hesperia contain quaint local attractions like museums and theaters. Additionally, sprawling metropolises like Los Angeles can be reached within 90 minutes. Those looking for a spot of adventure can find an excess of hiking opportunities at local parks like Horseman’s Center Park and Apple Valley State Park.
Leisure World Seal Beach – Seal Beach, CA
Mid $200s – Mid $600s
Retirees looking for an affordable age-restricted community with an abundance of amenities on California’s southern coast should consider Leisure World Seal Beach. A well-established community, Leisure World Seal Beach sets itself apart as one of the landmark communities in the area. The location ten minutes from the South Pacific Coast is only one of many benefits residents enjoy.
The 6,608 attached and condominium homes come with a low-maintenance lifestyle free of exterior home maintenance or landscaping. The community boasts six unique clubhouses complete with ample spaces for the 200+ clubs and activities to gather. Outside, residents can find a nine-hole golf course with a putting green and driving ranges, an outdoor amphitheatre, and multiple shuffleboard buildings.
Friendly Valley – Santa Clarita, CA
Low $200s – High $700s
Santa Clarita makes an ideal location with year-round mild weather, festivals and farmers markets, and scenic natural amenities. One of the city’s top attractions is Six Flags Magic Mountain, a theme park for active adults and grandkids alike.
Friendly Valley does not lack its own amenities and attractions within the 55+ neighborhood, including a clubhouse with arts and crafts studios, game rooms, and a fitness center. Residents of the 1,290 single-family and attached homes enjoy a low-maintenance lifestyle full of social opportunities like a Friday dance group, Tai Chi, and breakfast clubs.
The Peninsula Regent – San Mateo, CA
Low $200s – Mid $800s
The Bay Area contains famous attractions, world-class dining options, high-end shopping, and The Peninsula Regent, an age-restricted community of 207 condominium homes. The community consists of a single high-rise building located 25 minutes south of San Francisco and two miles from the edge of the Bay.
Residents experience a maintenance-free lifestyle since the HOA takes care of all interior and exterior home and common area maintenance. The homes provide one to two bedrooms and enable homeowners to downsize and explore the surrounding area. Also, the onsite amenities include a concierge, a fitness center, a library, an indoor pool, and bocce ball courts.
Homes for Sale in the Mid $200s in California
El Grande Estates – Hemet, CA
High $200s – Mid $300s
El Grande Estates consists of 229 affordable single-family homes. They range from 1,036 to 1,636 square feet with two to three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and attached two-car garages. The homes include features that complement the active adult lifestyle, such as first-floor owner’s suites, room for entertaining, and well-designed open-concept floor plans.
Though the community’s location in Hemet provides a laid-back lifestyle outside of much of the hustle and bustle, residents can still reach cities like Riverside and Los Angeles with ease. When not enjoying the community’s amenities, homeowners can explore the number of shops, restaurants, and cafes in downtown Hemet.
Panorama Village – Hemet, CA
Mid $200s – Mid $300s
One community with affordable homes in the mid $200s is Panorama Village. Homeowners at Panorama Village can enjoy the pleasant California weather with amenities like a nine-hole golf course, resort-style outdoor pool, and walking and biking trails. Inside, residents can find a cooking class in the clubhouse’s demonstration kitchen or see a show in the ballroom.
In addition to visiting one of the nearby Southern California towns, homeowners can explore one of many parks in Hemet. One popular spot just 20 minutes away is Diamond Valley Lake, a scenic lake where visitors can boat, swim, fish, hike, and birdwatch.
Desert Highlands – Desert Hot Springs, CA
Mid $200s – High $300s
With only 26 attached homes, Desert Highlands highlights the best parts of living in the community’s namesake. Based at the foot of the San Bernardino Mountains, the age-restricted community in Desert Hot Springs puts its residents within easy reach of expansive parks, more than one dozen golf courses within 15 miles, and easy access to interstates to reach more urban places.
A unique benefit of Desert Highlands is the community’s location atop a natural hot mineral water well. The well produces 170-degree water that fills the community’s pool and a private spa within each home. Residents at Desert Highlands also enjoy a low-maintenance lifestyle, affordable homes, private hot springs, and stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
Kern City – Bakersfield, CA
Mid $200s – High $300s
Built by Del Webb, Kern City includes 1,024 single-family and attached homes that surround a golf course. The homes range from 1,079 to 1,963 square feet with affordable floor plans starting in the mid $200s.
Homeowners access amenities such as a well-appointed clubhouse, outdoor resort-style pool, and a busy social calendar. The city of Bakersfield harbors a rich cultural arts scene with a bounty of murals, restaurants, and notable museums like the California Living Museum. For outdoor recreation, the Kern River runs through the center of Bakersfield. It’s lined with parks and greenspaces to spend time outdoors.
Seven Hills – Hemet, CA
Mid $200s – High $400s
With 1,143 single-family and attached homes, Seven Hills is another option if you want to retire in the Inland Empire area. The community’s location in the foothills of Mt. San Jacinto puts residents just steps from Diamond Valley Lake and its winding hiking trails, 45 minutes from San Bernardino, and 90 minutes from San Clemente and miles of scenic beaches.
Along with affordable homes, Seven Hills has earned a positive reputation for its amenities, which residents can access for a reasonable fee. The Seven Hills Members Club provides a clubhouse, restaurant, and outdoor pool and spa, while Seven Hills Golf Club offers a scenic golf course, two putting greens, and a driving range. Residents often get together for annual social events like garage sales, pancake breakfasts, dinner dances, fashion shows, and luncheons.
Village Grove – Corona, CA
Mid $200ks – Mid $400ks
The Inland Empire is dotted with small towns, but Corona has a few special features that stand out to retirees. The city provides more than 394 acres of well-maintained parks with miles of walking and biking trails. The Circle City Center and Corona Public Library support arts and cultural activities, while the Senior Center offers full programming for active adults.
Village Grove, which consists of 120 manufactured homes that range from 1,140 to 1,760 square feet, connects residents to the best recreation, shopping, and entertainment that the area has to offer. Within the tight-knit community, neighbors gather to make use of amenities such as a clubhouse, outdoor pool, and patio.
Sun City – Menifee, CA
Low $200s – Mid $800s
Sun City in Menifee brings Del Webb’s high standards to Southern California. The age-restricted community includes 4,762 single-family and attached homes, many of which cost somewhere in the mid $200s.
An extensive list of amenities and lifestyle activities can be considered par for the course when it comes to Sun City communities, and the location in Menifee is no exception. The high number of homes and abundant amenities present exciting opportunities for active adults thinking about moving to California. The location surrounds residents with a wide variety of outdoor recreation and local attractions, only adding to the appeal of an already desirable 55+ community.
Homes for Sale in the High $200s in California
Villa Sao Miguel – San Diego, CA
High $200s – Mid $300s
Active adults seeking an affordable home can find plenty of choices at Villa Sao Miguel in San Diego. The gated 55+ community consists of 164 condominium homes that range from 378 to 650 square feet. Within the community, residents can find amenities such as a community room, billiards room, library, and fitness center. The community even provides private storage lockers and bike storage for convenience.
With the free time provided by a maintenance-free condominium home, residents have ample free time to pursue their hobbies and explore the surrounding area. The convenient location puts residents within 0.5 miles of Balboa Park, an outdoor destination with greenspaces, gardens, museums, and the San Diego Zoo. Active adults can reach Downtown San Diego and the international airport within 10 minutes and Pacific Coast beaches within 20 minutes.
Rancho de Napa – Yountville, CA
High $200s – Low $500s
Located in the renowned Napa County, Rancho de Napa provides convenient access to local wineries, eateries, and arts venues. Active adults who want to explore the surrounding area can reach Sacramento and scenic Pacific Coast beaches like Point Reyes National Seashore and Dillon Beach within 75 minutes.
Rancho de Napa consists of 235 single-family manufactured homes that range from approximately 1,180 to 1,600 square feet. Most homes feature patios or decks for easy indoor-outdoor living. Residents enjoy amenities such as a clubhouse, outdoor pool, and bocce ball courts.
Murrieta Hot Springs – Murrieta, CA
High $200s – High $500s
At Murrieta Hot Springs, active adults can find affordable single-family homes, resort-style amenities, and a full social calendar with activities, clubs, and classes. The community includes 1,040 single-family homes that range from 960 to 2,646 square feet.
The abundant amenities include three clubhouses, outdoor swimming pools, walking trails, a dog park, and shuffleboard courts. Popular social activities include bingo, fitness classes, cards and games, and craft fairs. The scenic location in Murrieta puts residents within 90 minutes of Irvine, Huntington Beach, and the Pacific Coast.
Laguna Woods Village – Laguna Woods, CA
High $200s – High $1Ms
As the largest 55+ community on the West Coast, Laguna Woods Village offers an abundance of home styles, amenities, and lifestyle activities. The 55+ community consists of 12,736 single-family, attached, and condominium homes. Also, active adults on a budget can explore a variety of attached and condo homes.
The world-class amenities feature seven clubhouses, five swimming pools, and more than 250 activities, clubs, and classes. Some of the offerings include a large performing arts center, 27-hole championship golf course, and equestrian center. With a location in Laguna Beach just 15 minutes from the Pacific Coast and 30 minutes from Huntington Beach, residents enjoy some of the best outdoor recreation and entertainment that a Southern California retirement has to offer.
55places Can Help You Find Home in California
Despite Cali’s reputation as the home of the rich and famous—one of the biggest myths about retiring in California—active adults can find affordable homes in even the most well-known areas. It’s not only possible to find homes for sale under $200k in California—interested homebuyers can even find them in popular 55+ communities with access to desirable amenities, low-maintenance lifestyles, abundant activities, and scenic locations.
Consider these tips for active adults seeking their next home in the Golden State:
- Research the diverse regions and cities in California to find a setting that fits your preferences.
- Consider moving into a 55+ community for affordable homes, sought-after amenities, like-minded neighbors, and a low-maintenance lifestyle.
- Consult with a trusted financial advisor to plan a comfortable retirement that provides peace of mind.
- Work with a 55places real estate expert who can aid in your search and help guide you through the homebuying process.
