Indian Wells, CA 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

Overview 

Indian Wells is a city in Riverside County, California with diverse natural surroundings including deserts, mountains, and nature preserves. The area is quaint and residents enjoy the resort environment with many community amenities like numerous golf courses, cultural programs, and beautiful weather year round. 

Climate and Geography

Indian Wells' has a subtropical climate like much of Southern California, which makes living in this town very comfortable. Summers are warm to hot, while winters are mild with no snowfall and average low temperatures that stay above the freezing point. Residents can expect an average of 5 inches of rain and about 276 sunny days per year.   

Located in the Coachella Valley, Indian Wells is near many national protected areas, state parks, and county parks. Riverside County is divided in the mountainous portion, the desert region, and inland Empire portion. The valley is situated in between the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains to the southwest and the Joshua Tree National Park to the northeast. The Salton Sea lies about 10 miles to the southeast of the city.

Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment 

Residents in Indian Wells have many cultural amenities such as the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens, the Palm Springs Art Museum, and Palm Springs International Film Festival. Some of the top attractions in the city include the Eisenhower Walk of Honor, City Hall, Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Indian Wells Golf Club, Indian Wells Golf Resort, Toscana Country Club, and Fantasy Balloon Flights. 

The city has a lively golf and tennis culture with major tournaments and events taking place. Residents can also enjoy a variety of outdoor recreation activities at the nearby state and national parks such as hiking, camping, and horseback riding. 

Both San Diego and Los Angeles are about a two-and-a-half-hour drive away, providing opportunities for day trips and weekend getaways to enjoy everything these cities have to offer.

Cost of Living & Taxes

The cost of living in Indian Wells is higher than the state and national averages. The primary reason for this is housing costs while other costs like health care and groceries are below the national average. 

The effective income tax rate in California is 1.79 percent for single filers and 4.6 percent for joint filers. Social Security benefits are not taxed while other retirement income like most railroad retirement benefits are generally exempt. 

Additionally, qualifying homeowners may also defer payment for their property taxes. 

Health Care

Hospitals that serve the Indian Wells community include high performing hospitals recognized by U.S. News for their work in various procedures and conditions. These hospitals include Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage and John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Indio, both of which are approximately five miles away, and Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, which is approximately 15 miles away.