55+ Communities in Bay Area | Active Adult Lifestyle

Active adults are increasingly choosing the Bay Area in Northern California as their preferred destination. They enjoy more than just a prestigious address, with miles of scenic hiking trails along the coast, unparalleled golf courses, and an enjoyable year-round climate. Those seeking a more urban experience will enjoy proximity to three large cities, each with their own unique attractions and cultures.

Active adults have many Bay Area 55+ communities to choose from, thanks to the region's economic prosperity and demographic diversity. They can afford to be picky about the type of community they want to live in, whether it's the sprawling, amenity-rich Rossmoor or the quaint and cozy River's Bend.

Bay Area Climate & Geography

The Bay Area is located in Northern California and is comprised of nine counties. Although the specific boundaries of the Bay Area are not firm, they are typically seen as encompassing Napa Valley to the north, Contra Costa and Alameda counties to the east and Santa Clara County to the south. Active adults and retirees of the Bay Area enjoy its diverse landforms, from mountain ranges to the peninsula to the famed Napa Valley.

The Bay Area has a reputation for having one of the most complex climates in the country, with several microclimates. The areas near the Pacific Ocean, including San Francisco, experience minimal temperature fluctuations with cool, foggy summers and mild, wet winters. Farther inland, in the areas isolated from the ocean by the mountains, summers are hot and the winter nights chilly. During the summer, temperatures in San Francisco and inland areas can vary by as much as 40 degrees Fahrenheit. San Jose, in the southern portion of the Bay Area, experiences less than 15 inches of rain per year while the fertile Napa Valley to the north averages 30 inches per year. Just west of San Jose, the Santa Cruz mountains get over 55 inches of rain a year. Snow accumulation does occur frequently on the mountains but rarely on the ground.

Recreation, Culture & Entertainment Near Bay Area

Active adults love the fact that the Bay Area has a sterling reputation for outdoor recreational and cultural attractions. Residents can ski in the morning, spend the afternoon at a beach and have dinner around a fire at night. Bay Area 55+ communities are also near several dozen summits for hikers while bikers will find hundreds of miles of trails to explore. Being along the Pacific Ocean also makes surfing and fishing very popular activities for residents of Bay Area active adult communities.

Bay Area's age-restricted communities also have no shortage of cultural opportunities nearby. San Francisco is a cultural destination, offering over 40 museums, over 150 registered historic places, and the famous art galleries in the Mission District. San Francisco is also home to over 30 Michelin-rated restaurants, numerous theaters, and breathtaking views of the San Francisco Bay. Bay Area 55+ communities near San Jose enjoy an impressive number of restaurants, galleries, parks, and trails.

Silicon Valley, home to some of the world's largest companies, is also part of the Bay Area. Silicon Valley greatly contributes to the Bay Area's economic stability. Napa Valley is in the northern portion of the Bay Area. The valley is renowned for their vineyards, featuring over 400 wineries spread across 4,000 acres of land.

Sports enthusiasts have ten professional sports games to root for. Whether its baseball, football, or soccer, San Francisco or San Jose, Bay Area fans have plenty of games to attend.

Bay Area Cost of Living & Taxes

San Francisco is one of the most expensive cities in the country. San Francisco's cost of living is 48.8% higher than the national average while San Jose is 39.6% higher. Taken as a whole, the cost of living in all of the Bay Area's nine counties are approximately 15% to 50% higher than the national average. California also has an 8.25% sales tax rate and, combined with their county rates, sales taxes in Marin and San Mateo counties are around 9%. Also, all private, local, state, and federal pensions are fully taxed.

It's not all bad news for Bay Area active adult communities. Homeowners whose primary residence is in California can qualify for a $7,000 reduction in the taxable value of their property. There are also tax relief programs for low income seniors including an option to postpone property tax payments. Social Security benefits are also untaxed.

Bay Area Health Care

There are several hospitals in the Bay Area that 55+ residents can choose from. San Francisco's UCSF Medical Center is one of the best in the region and nationally ranks in eleven specialties. The John Muir Medical Centers in Walnut Creek and Concord are well-known for orthopedic and diabetes centers. Residents in San Jose have access to the Stanford Hospital and Clinic, associated with the renowned university and the El Camino Hospital in Mountain View. St. Joseph Health in Napa Valley is one of the area's premiere cancer care centers.