La Quinta, CA 55+ Active Adult Retirement Communities

Climate & Geography

Originally designed as a part-time resort town, La Quinta has warm weather throughout the year. Summers are hot and long, winters are warm and pleasant, and there is very little precipitation. Residents can expect a dry, arid climate with around 296 days of sun a year.

Recreation, Culture & Entertainment

La Quinta has plenty to offer residents seeking outdoor recreation and entertainment. Hiking in the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains to the west is popular, as is fishing and boating at Lake Cahuilla. The five championship courses at PGA West and La Quinta Resort & Club are among the most popular golf courses in the city, but there are also numerous other courses in the region.

Old Town La Quinta, an outdoor dining and shopping village, is the number one destination for local boutiques and eateries. Other community amenities include a weekend farmers market and local history museum.

Residents seeking hundreds of high-end shopping and designer stores can head to the malls at Palm Desert, which is under a half-hour away. Popular Palm Springs is under an hour away as well.

Cost of Living & Taxes

Like most of California, the cost of living in La Quinta is above the national average because of high housing and transportation costs. Groceries and utilities also hover just above the national average, while health care is well below. These costs are typical of the state.

California does not tax Social Security benefits, but it does fully tax all other forms of retirement income. In addition, the state’s sales taxes are the highest in the country. Property taxes, on the other hand, are relatively low and the state offers a homeowners' exemption.

Health Care

California ranks in the top 14 states on Gallup’s Well-Being Index.

Though there are no hospitals in La Quinta, there are three nearby hospitals that are rated high performing by U.S. News. These include John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital in Indio, Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage, and Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs.