Overview
Located south of Long Beach in Southern California, Laguna Niguel offers sunny, warm weather with scenic views of the mountains, making it a desirable place for retirees to live. Laguna Niguel features local amenities like spacious parks and a weekly farmers market, with convenient access to big city life when desired.
Climate & Geography
The climate type in Laguna Niguel is classified as Mediterranean, which means temperatures and weather patterns are generally moderate to warm throughout the year. The city receives significantly more sunny days per year than the national average, and no snowfall.
Laguna Niguel is located a short distance away from the Pacific Coast. The city is situated on hilly terrain, as part of the San Joaquin Hills, with Sulphur Creek Reservoir located in Laguna Niguel. Laguna Niguel is south of Los Angeles and Long Beach.
Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment
Residents looking to enjoy the year-round sunny and warm weather in Laguna Niguel have many options for activities. Laguna Niguel Regional Park offers visitors access to a number of activities, including hiking, fishing, and biking, as well as an amphitheater that hosts community events. Aliso and Wood Canyons Wilderness Park is the perfect place for residents who want to explore nature. The park features a generous 30 miles of trails, providing residents with a natural escape in their own backyard.
Laguna Niguel residents are lucky enough to enjoy their own farmer’s market every Sunday. The market features various vendors that allows locals to pick up fresh produce and other goods. Besides that, Laguna Niguel hosts a variety of festivals and events for the community to enjoy.
Cost of Living & Taxes
The overall cost of living in Laguna Niguel is higher than both the state and national averages. The higher cost of housing plays the biggest part in raising the overall cost of living in Laguna Niguel, while grocery and utility costs are about the same as the national average.
California is not typically considered tax friendly to retirees. Although Social Security income is not taxed in the state, all other forms of retirement income are fully taxed at some of the highest rates in the country. Residents who are 65+ are eligible to double the standard exemption for their income taxes, but the maximum allowed is $516. Property taxes are generally low in the state, but due to the high cost of homes this can be a significant expense.
Health Care
Both the Long Beach Area and the state of California rank higher than average on Gallup’s Well-Being Index.
There are no health care facilities within Laguna Niguel, but there are very good options in the surrounding area. MemorialCare Long Beach Memorial Medical Center, located in Long Beach, is ranked the No. 15 hospital in California, and is rated as high performing in eight specialties and six procedures by U.S. News. Missions Hospitals Laguna Beach and Mission Viejo are nationally ranked in two specialties and high performing in six specialties and five procedures.