Why Orange County Is So Great For Seniors

Famous for its Mediterranean climate and beautiful beaches, some people might say those things alone are reason enough to want to spend your retirement in Orange County, and they could be right.

There are almost half a million over 65s currently living there, so it’s clearly got something that’s drawing in the older generations.

When choosing where to settle down for retirement, there are some important factors to consider. Looking at how it scores in many of those areas, you start to understand the many different ways Orange County is a great place for seniors.

Crime rate

In a report compiled by online safety resource Safewise, five Orange County towns appeared in the top 10 of their safest cities in the State of California list and several more in the top 50. Ranking some 482 municipalities, they used the most recent FBI crime statistics and census data.

Coming in at number two was Irvine, number three was Rancho Santa Margarita, at number four came Yorba Linda, with Laguna Niguel and Aliso Viejo coming in at number nine and ten respectively. Other towns making the list were Mission Viejo, Fountain Valley, San Clemente, Cypress, Newport Beach, Orange, and Lake Forest.

The safest cities boast crime rates well below both the state and the national averages.

Amenities

Offering some truly breathtaking landscapes, Orange County is home to the Santa Ana Mountains featuring woodlands, grasslands, and chaparral.

The county also boasts the 460,000 acre Cleveland National Forest, which offers a range of hiking trails for all fitness and experience levels.

Laguna Lakes are the county’s only natural lakes offering stunning views and even more hiking trails.

The Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge is a protected wetland habitat which offers walking tours led by the Friends of the Seal Beach NWR and Refuge staff. It’s a rare wildlife habitat in the midst of what is a mostly urban landscape.

It’s impossible to talk about this coastal region without mentioning its many and varied beaches. With piers and tide pools to investigate, there are choices between beautiful sandy beaches perfect for relaxing in the sun and quiet cove beaches for when you want to escape the crowds. Well-known beaches include Newport Beach, Huntingdon Beach, and, of course, Laguna Beach.

Along with the landscape, thanks to its tourist destination status, Orange County has great leisure facilities for seniors to enjoy too.

Balboa Island offers a relaxing day out. Arrive by ferry and enjoy good food and shopping, or take a Duffy boat out with friends, vehicles which are so easy to control they are described as the golf cart of the water!

There are also several whale and dolphin watching cruises available for those who enjoy a day bobbing about in a boat.

For more retail therapy and fine dining, there’s the Irvine Spectrum Center. There are a number of wine tasting tours and even a wine tasting cruise for the wine connoisseurs.

Showcasing some of the area’s history to residents and visitors alike, there are several fascinating excursions, including the 100-year-old Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens, Arden, named after Shakespeare’s Forest of Arden featured in As You Like It. Of religious importance, the 240-year-old Mission San Juan Capistrano and Old Town Tour features permanent exhibits of historic and religious artifacts as well as rare paintings. Southern California’s oldest court building, the impressive Old Courthouse Museum, providing activities, exhibits, and special events.

In addition, for art lovers, The Bowers Museum showcases the world’s finest arts and cultures. Continuing the art theme, Laguna Beach boasts art and history walks as well as the Laguna Beach Art Galleries. For those who like to get creative themselves, the Ceramic Class Experience in Laguna Beach allows people to harness their own artistic side.

Orange County can also lay claim to the ultimate entertainment for grandkids in the shape of Disneyland, one of the world’s most famous amusement attractions.

Probably the most important amenity, though, is somewhere to live, and if you are thinking about retirement homes, assisted living orange county has some very fine options to choose from. The perfect balance of support where it’s needed, coupled with as much freedom as you choose.

Climate

Another consideration for seniors has to be the weather conditions – freezing temperatures and snow piled high is not something you need to be dealing with as your get older. With an average temperature of 73 degrees Fahrenheit, with Orange County’s warm summers and mild winters, there is never any fear of that.

Wellness Opportunities

The over 65s in Orange County will also consider the wellness options available to them as a real bonus too. Along with a host of hospitals and medical centers in the area, there are also lots of options for staying well and keeping fit in the first place – really important as you get older.

There are several bike rental companies to choose from for those who still enjoy getting about on two wheels.

Another gentle sport ideal for seniors is lawn bowling which is available at Newport Harbor Lawn Bowling Club.

Wellness centers are plentiful, offering chiropractor services, acupuncture, massage, physical therapy, and other alternative therapies.

Transport

By road and rail, the Orange County Transportation Authority provides bus and Metrolink train services.

There is also a Laguna Beach trolley service available to locals and visitors to the area during normal times.

Traveling by water, Catalina Express is a daily boat to Catalina Island from San Pedro, Long Beach, and Dana Point.

There are also a number of taxi services to choose from too.

Economy

Orange County has a lower than average unemployment rate with a workforce of 1.6 million.

It has a diverse economy covering everything from agriculture to construction, education to arts and entertainment.

On top of that, the average OC salary is higher than the US average.

When deciding where you want to settle down and spend your retirement, feeling safe, having plenty to keep you occupied, decent weather, good transport options, and a thriving economy are the key factors that should be taken into consideration. In that respect, it seems Orange County serves its seniors quite well.