4 Great Places to Retire in Style Outside of California

With inventory levels remaining relatively low in San Diego, it’s definitely a seller’s market. If you’ve been thinking about selling your San Diego home and retiring elsewhere, now is a good time to make your move. But the key to a lucrative—and we mean profitable—move is to find some place where your money will get you the best retirement house. Of course, your retirement destination needs to fit a few other criteria as well, including safety, amenities, and climate. Here’s a look at some of the best places to retire in style.

1. The Villages, Florida

The Villages, Florida is one of the fastest growing 55+ communities in the U.S. Located in Sumter County, The Villages has a population that has surpassed 100,000 residents. The median price of a home is just $248,600. We found several properties that would let you live in comfort for under $600,000, including a4 bed, 2 bath, 3,294 square-foot pool home listed for only $544,900.The Villages golf cart community fits the other criteria as well, with a warm, sunny climate, abundant amenities, and low to non-existent crime.

2. Peoria, Arizona

Peoria offers your choice of planned retirement communities, including Desert Winds, Palos Verdes, Casa Del Rio and Westbrook Village. Peoria has an established place on Forbes’ list of 25 best places to retire, with a modest population and median home prices of just $240,000. With the profits from the sale of your desirable San Diego home, you could easily score an expansive 6 bed, 6 bath, pool home with 5,521 square feet of living space perfect for visiting family members. Each of these retirement communities offer an array of amenities, such as pro level golf courses, paved walking paths, community playgrounds for visiting grandkids, and scheduled community events and activities.

3. Wenatchee, Washington

If cooler climes are beckoning you for your golden years, Wenatchee, Washington is another frontrunner on the Forbes’ list of best retirement destinations. Just 150 miles east of Seattle, this riverside community of just 33,000 also is a high contender on Milken Institute’s list of Best Cities for Successful Aging. The cost of living is 10 percent less than the national average, which is great for your limited income budget. You won’t pay income tax in the state of Washington, and the median home price is only $262,000. Even the climate in Wenatchee is pleasant, with only 9 inches of rain annually. Summer temps climb up to 88 degrees, while winter temps only dip down to 25. As far as living in style, take your money from selling your San Diego home and invest in something along the lines of a stylish mountain “chateau” with 4 beds, 3 baths, 2,623 square feet with stunning mountain and lake views for a mere $535,000.

4. Incline Village, Nevada

Along the shores of Crystal Bay lies the stylish and comfortable community of Incline Village. For just $595,000, you could retire in a 3 bed, 2 bath, pool home with 1,253 square feet. If you sell your home in San Diego for around $950k, which is average for this area, you could buy your retirement home with cash and have money left over to invest in your retirement lifestyle. The climate in Incline Village is comfortable, with highs reaching 79 and lows dipping to 20. Amenities include boating, fishing, hiking, skiing and golfing.

Why not reaping the rewards out of your San Diego home investment and paying cash for a stylish retirement home? There’s never been a better time to sell in San Diego. Inventory is low and many sellers are paying full asking price. Talk to your San Diego real estate agent to find out what options might be available to you.