The San Francisco Bay Area is rich in culture, history, and natural beauty. Over the decades, it has been a destination for people of all ages. Some come seeking solace in the area’s peaceful beaches and temperate coastal weather. Others seek to start anew, to chase a dream, or to find themselves.
Whatever your reason, if you’re considering retiring in the San Francisco Bay Area, there are a few things to consider.
First, realize that the San Francisco Bay Area is much more than the city of San Francisco. The Bay Area has a population of more than seven million. San Francisco holds about 800,000 of those people. The rest are spread across the counties of Alameda, Contra Costa, Marin, Napa, San Mateo, Santa Clara, Solano, and Sonoma. There are beautiful cities throughout the Bay Area, some more affordable than others. To help you decide if the Bay Area is right for you, let’s review the pros and cons or retiring in (or near) San Francisco.
Pros of Retiring in the San Francisco Bay Area
Weather
San Francisco can be chilly and foggy, but the Bay Area generally has temperate weather. September is the warmest month in San Francisco proper, with an average high of 70. January cools down to an average high of 57. Head just a bit south to San Jose, however, and you can expect highs of 82 in July and August. Go east to Antioch, and you’ll be basking at 92 in July.
As you can see, the weather varies greatly around the San Francisco Bay Area. You might not have quite as many sunny days as Los Angeles, but you’ll certainly get your fair share of vitamin D. Also, winters are mild, which means no more shoveling snow or fear of falling on ice.
Beautiful Scenery
Living in the Bay Area, you’re within driving (or walking) distance of numerous beautiful beaches and more than 200 parks. You’re also within range of wine country (Napa and Sonoma counties) and several other famed California destinations. Just imagine spending your retirement touring wineries and hiking redwood forests.
Not to mention, the Bay Area is home to myriad historic urban landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island. Retire here and expect lots of out-of-town visitors.
Diverse Culture
The San Francisco Bay Area is home to a diverse population of people. The area’s diversity helps to create a wonderful array of culinary, cultural, and artistic experiences.
Also, despite the perception that the Bay Area is full of younger people working in tech, the region skews a little older than the rest of California. About 13 percent of the region’s population is age 65+, compared with about 12 percent for the state.
Great Public Transit
Though driving may be a challenge in the San Francisco area, the city has an excellent public transit system, BART, which spans to outlying counties. A variety of cities – including Dublin, Pleasanton, and Pittsburg – are at the end of BART lines. In addition, many Bay Area communities are walkable, with short distances between homes and apartments and necessities like corner grocery shops and cafes.
Cons of Retiring in the San Francisco Bay Area
Cost of Living
Though the Bay Area boasts many positives, affordability is not among them. The cost of housing in San Francisco is one of the highest in the nation, rivaled only by Manhattan. The average home price in San Francisco is roughly $1.3 million, and a one-bedroom apartment in San Francisco itself averages $3,693. Neighboring cities, especially San Jose, are becoming increasingly pricey as well. Cities in the East Bay are notably less expensive. In Antioch, for example, a one-bedroom apartment rents for $1,574.
Crime Rate
Like any major city, San Francisco sees its fair share of crime. It’s about average as far as violent crime goes, but the city has a high level of property crimes, rising 23 percent between 2020 and 2022. Along with theft and property crime, there’s a high rate of homelessness in San Francisco. A variety of issues arise from this problem, including drug use, sanitation, and theft. The good news is the homeless rate dropped 3.5 percent between 2019 and 2022, according to the city’s Performance Scorecard.
Ready to retire in the San Francisco Bay area?
We hope this list has helped make your decision on retiring in the San Francisco Bay Area a little easier. If so, check out San Francisco Bay retirement communities on After55.com.
