Ed. Note: Where to Retire shares desired destinations for those wishing to relocate after retirement. Provided by author Warren R. Bland, these summaries offer a quick overview of the most desired retirement communities.
Blessed by a year-round water supply, fertile soil and a mild, sunny climate, the beautiful valley of San Luis Obispo was an ideal site for Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa, established on the banks of San Luis Creek in 1772. The Mission, the charming downtown shopping district and the California Polytechnic State University at San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly) all help make San Luis Obispo a special place well worth considering for upscale retirement living.
Landscape: The town occupies a splendid site in a gently rolling lowland between a string of extinct volcanic foothills and the Santa Lucia Mountains. The hill and valley setting of the town is strikingly beautiful whether colored in winter’s green or summer’s collage of green, gold and brown.
Climate: San Luis Obispo has two seasons: a mild, fairly wet winter balanced by a warm, dry summer. The town is sunny more than 70% of the time and frost free 320 days.
Quality of Life: Excellent. Heavy industries and neglected neighborhoods are unknown. The historic central business district has been carefully preserved and enhanced, and the town exhibits a peaceful ambiance.
Housing: Housing in San Luis Obispo is priced at least 50% above the national average. Condominiums offer good value.
Goods and Services: Groceries, utilities, transportation and health care are all priced 10% to 15% above national norms. Miscellaneous goods and services costs are 5% above the national average.
Taxes: State and local taxes are 9.4% of income compared to the U.S. average of 9.7%. Sales and excise taxes are a little above average whereas state income taxes and property taxes are slightly below average.
Transportation: Most residents drive. Local buses, a free downtown trolley service and door-to-door travel are alternatives. Intercity travel is possible by air, bus and rail.
Retail Services: Madonna Plaza and adjacent SLO Promenade constitute the area’s largest shopping complex. A Home Depot is nearby. The quaint downtown business district features scores of unique shops, restaurants and theaters.
Health Care: Sierra Vista Regional Medical Center and French Hospital Medical Center meet the everyday medical needs of local residents. Additional medical care is available in Los Angeles and San Francisco.
Community Services: Very good public services are available through the San Luis Obispo Senior Center.
Cultural and Educational Activities: Cal Poly is a major community asset in terms of its course and program offerings and as the site of the spectacular new Performing Arts Center, the principal venue for major artistic performances. The San Luis Obispo Art Center is the focus of the visual arts scene.
Recreational Activities: San Luis Obispo’s near-perfect climate favors year-round outdoor recreation, including hiking, bicycling, water sports, golf and wine tasting. Cal Poly teams compete in many varsity sports. The San Luis Obispo Farmers Market is a special highlight.
Work and Volunteer Activities: Seniors mostly work in the strongly service-oriented economy. Many opportunities exist for volunteers.
Crime Rates and Public Safety: San Luis Obispo continues to be one of America’s safer small college towns. Homicides are almost unknown locally and all parts of town feel safe and secure.
Conclusion: San Luis Obispo is a near-perfect little college town where to retire. It offers a fairly quiet yet amenity-rich lifestyle in a lovely physical setting for upscale retirement living.
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