Key Points
Many people, as they approach retirement, think about moving to a new location. California is often top-of-mind, with cities such as San Diego popular candidates. Here’s another major California city to consider: Sacramento.
Its county, Sacramento County, appears in The Motley Fool’s list of Best Places to Retire — in 44th place. But drilling down to the city of Sacramento, which is the capital of California, it ranks third in our list of The Best Places to Retire in the West.
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Why Sacramento?
As our report notes, Sacramento has a lot to offer — such as historic attractions, recreational activities, and relatively affordable housing. I say relatively affordable because the median U.S. home sale price for California was recently a steep $813,110. Sacramento’s median home sale price, however, was recently a more manageable $453,500.
Here are some pros and cons for Sacramento.
Pros of retiring to Sacramento
The climate features mild winters and around 269 days of sunshine per year.
It’s called “the city of trees” because of the many trees planted in the area for shade.
There are many recreational opportunities, such as golf, hiking, biking, and pickleball.
It’s the state capital, so there are cultural and political events galore — including the annual California State Fair.
It’s not too far from Napa Valley, San Francisco, and even Lake Tahoe. Closer is Folsom Lake, offering opportunities for fishing, boating, and more.
It has a well-respected healthcare system, including the UC Davis Medical Center.
It has a reputation for friendly people.
Being near the state’s agricultural region, it has lots of fresh produce at farmers’ markets. (It’s also known as “America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital.”)
Cons of retiring to Sacramento
The climate features hot, dry summers.
Traffic can be heavy during rush hour.
It’s not a small city, as its population was recently around 500,000.
Its crime rate is higher than average in the U.S.
Public transportation is limited.
The air quality can be quite poor at times, due to smog and wildfires.
Clearly, it’s a mixed bag, and much depends on which factors you care most about. Your best strategy may be to test the area first, if it intrigues you. Try to live there for a few months or even a year to see how you like it.
Note, too, that there are ways to save money for retirement without moving away. You might simply downsize into a smaller, less costly home, and/or you could rent out space in your home. Many retirees generate extra income by working a part-time job in the first few years of retirement, or maintaining a side gig such as tutoring or crafting. Take some time to develop a solid retirement plan for yourself, including whether you move to a new home.
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