Walnut Creek vs San Francisco Retirement Community Comparison – A Detailed Bay Area Guide for Seniors

  If you are deciding between a retirement community in San Francisco or Walnut Creek, CA, but you just can’t make up your mind, then you have come to the right place! Our retirement community comparison of these two popular Bay Area cities should help you determine which city best fits your individual needs. We understand how important it is to fully research possible locations, because, after all, there is no “one size fits all” retirement community. Therefore, we did extensive research to gather all the relevant information that might be important to seniors looking to retire in one of these fantastic Northern California cities. [toc]

Will You Find a Retirement Community in San Francisco or Walnut Creek?

Being 100 percent certain that the Bay Area city you retire in is right for you is imperative. Imagine making the big move only to find that you are not happy with the crime rate or population. Or, maybe you love to travel around town and so you require a city that has access to major freeways. There are so many factors that make up the perfect retirement location. We factored in these elements and others to help you learn more about what it would be like to retire in the San Francisco Bay Area or Walnut Creek, Ca.

Location – Northern CA Bay Area Retirement Cities

Which Bay Area city is best to retire in really comes down to your personal preferences. Retirement communities in San Francisco will most likely offer you a city landscape, whereas Walnut Creek provides both city and natural surroundings. These two cities have locations that are quite different, so it’s a good idea to take a detailed look at both.

Let’s see what Walnut Creek and San Francisco’s location have to offer retired seniors:

Walnut Creek: This East Bay Area location seems to be a favorite among local seniors. They love the fact that it offers them thousands of acres of natural open space, as well as a bustling city life. It’s the best of both worlds all wrapped up into one Northern CA city. When the seniors of Walnut Creek are not out enjoying nature, they’re taking advantage of the city aspect of this retirement community by shopping and dining with fellow seniors. Walnut Creek, Ca is centrally located and has several freeways running through it, which provides the chance for seniors to travel and take part in some interesting Bay Area activities.  The bottom line is that Walnut Creek’s location offers seniors a beautiful area to retire in and great travel opportunities. San Francisco: This city is situated on the north side of the San Francisco Peninsula. If you think you would like to retire in San Francisco, you really have to love the city life. On the other hand, the area does offer many parks where you can escape the concrete. Plus, you can leave the big city for the day and head out to other sections of Northern CA by utilizing the major freeways that run through this location. It’s worth mentioning that the area the city was built on is known for having many large hills. This can make getting around town by foot challenging for some seniors. Getting set up in a retirement community in San Francisco will offer you an exciting city life, beautiful ocean views, and easy access to the famous Golden Gate Bridge.

Climate – Retire in San Francisco or Walnut Creek for Pleasant Weather

Finding a Bay Area retirement community that offers great weather isn’t that difficult. Northern CA and California, in general, are known for having pleasant weather throughout the year. As a senior, due to possible arthritis issues, your only concern regarding weather may be a city’s rain percentages. This is just one example of why thoroughly researching a possible retirement community is so important.

Let’s have a look at the typical climate that these two NorCal cities typically experience:

Walnut Creek: Seniors retiring in this East Bay city will enjoy average temperatures that range from 50s to 80s, depending on the time of year. This particular area sports a pleasant Mediterranean climate and an above average amount of sunny days. The residents of the Heritage Downtown Active Senior Living Apartments take full advantage of this typical weather. They are constantly on the go, enjoying the outdoors! Walnut Creek certainly passes the test when it comes to a perfect climate for seniors who are 55 plus.

San Francisco: This popular city sports warm, dry summers and moist, mild winters. Like Walnut Creek, it also experiences a Mediterranean climate. Additionally, the nearby Pacific Ocean causes a great deal of fog at times, which San Francisco is known for. Average temperatures range from the mid 40s to low 70s, which is great if you prefer cooler weather. Because of San Francisco’s diverse topography, the city experiences microclimates, with some areas having more rainfall than others. Overall, if a retirement community in San Francisco is your preference, the weather shouldn’t be a deterrent.

Check out the rain percentages of both San Francisco and Walnut Creek, Ca:

Cost of Living – Walnut Creek Comes Out on Top

Smart seniors typically have a set income and a budget in place. So, moving to a high-cost city can possibly destroy their budget and leave them broke. Older adults should ensure that they find a retirement community that meets their cost of living expectations. Having enough money left over after paying the bills is essential for enjoying retirement.

Retire in Walnut Creek with These Cost of Living Numbers:

• Overall: 225.5
• Housing: 478.2
• Transportation: 137.5

Retire in San Francisco with These Cost of Living Numbers:

• Overall: 304.7
• Housing: 711.8
• Transportation: 176.8

Under 100 means less expensive than the U.S. averages. Above 100 means more expensive.

Population – Walnut Creek Has a Higher Percentage of Seniors

When looking into a city’s population, you should take into consideration both the total number of people in the area, as well as the number of senior citizens. The data we gathered reveals that Walnut Creek comes out on top in both categories. San Francisco has a high population number of 864,263. Walnut Creek’s population number is much more reasonable at 68,516. In addition to this, San Francisco’s senior citizen population is lower than Walnut Creeks. These numbers are significant when fine-tuning your search for the perfect retirement community within the Northern Ca, Bay Area.

• Walnut Creek, CA is 81% less densely populated than San Francisco.
• The median age is 10.3 years older in Walnut Creek compared to San Francisco.
• The percentage of senior citizens 65 to 74 residing in Walnut Creek is 13% and 7.9% in San Francisco.

See how the numbers stack up with the percentage of seniors age 85 and over in both cities:

Transportation – Active Seniors Need Reliable Options

For a retirement community to be on the top of the list, it should have fantastic transportation options. This goes without saying because most independent seniors living in the Bay Area rely on city transportation. Without it, they could become isolated, as well as left with no way to travel to their medical appointments.

Walnut Creek Retired Seniors Can Utilize These Transportation Options:

The seniors who reside at the Heritage Downtown are thankful for Walnut Creek’s great transportation options. It enables them to live an active life, travel in and out of the city, as well as make it to their appointments.

• Catch the Trolley: This free Walnut Creek Trolley runs 7 days a week from the BART Station to multiple downtown destinations.
• Free Shuttle Service: Use the Creekside or Shadelands Shuttle to get around town! They’re perfect for seniors who are on a budget.
• City Transit: The Advanced Rapid Transit System – BART, is a popular transportation option for seniors of all ages. Older adults also ride the City Bus – County Connection, which is used by many Heritage Downtown residents on a weekly basis.
• Senior Transportation: Because they have a high number of retired seniors in the area, the city of Walnut Creek has created special programs that provide transportation to these older adults. Their Senior Mini Bus Program will take residents around Walnut Creek for $1 each way. An additional option is the Rides for Seniors program. This fantastic program helps seniors get to just about anywhere they need to go within Walnut Creek.

San Francisco Retired Seniors Can Utilize These Transportation Options:

Being the big city that it is, San Francisco is a retirement community that offers plenty of transportation options. Seniors will have no problems getting around the city, traveling to other areas, and so on.

• BART: The Bay Area Rapid Transit is a convenient, affordable, and fast means of transportation for seniors to get where they need to go within San Francisco, as well as travel to other Bay Area cities. The BART runs from 8am to 8pm on a daily basis.
• MUNI Hybrid City Bus: Seniors who are interested in green transportation will love the San Francisco hybrid city bus. They offer state-of-the-art vehicles that have the environment in mind. This city bus will let you efficiently travel around the city to get your shopping done, go to your medical appointments, or meet some friends for lunch!
• Electronic Trolley: A spinoff of San Francisco’s famous traditional Trolley, but with a modern flair. Older adults have this third option to choose from when they are traveling around the city.

Crime Rate – A Safe Retirement Community is Imperative

No matter what Northern California Bay Area retirement community you choose, it’s essential that you consider the crime percentages. As an older adult, you want to feel comfortable with the location you retire in. It would be an unfortunate scenario if you pack up and move to your new retirement home, only to find that it’s not safe to walk around by yourself. While researching area crime rates, we found that if you retire in San Francisco, CA you will experience a higher crime rate than living in Walnut Creek. Although San Francisco is a great place to retire, it’s a big city, and with that comes a slightly higher crime rate.

• Walnut Creek Crime Rate: 11.7
• San Francisco Crime Rate: 39.6

Crime is ranked on a scale of 1 (low crime) to 100 (high crime)

Healthcare – Quality Hospitals in the Northern California Bay Area

When a health issue arises, or an emergency, the last thing you need is a long drive to the hospital. Most 55+ adults prefer to have a hospital within a short distance to where they reside. In addition to this, having access to quality hospitals is crucial. Let’s take a look at two quality hospitals that you would have access to if you retired in San Francisco or Walnut Creek, CA: Walnut Creek John Muir Medical Center: Located just a short distance from Downtown Walnut Creek, this hospital has nothing but rave reviews from the residents at the Heritage Downtown Active Senior Living Apartments, and for good reason. John Muir is recognized by U.S. News & World Report as one of the nation’s premier healthcare providers. They received the Joint Commission’s Gold Seal of Approval™ for certification as a primary stroke center and is accredited by the American Heart and Stroke Association. They boast 554-licensed beds and their specialty is in orthopedics, rehabilitation, neurosciences, cardiac, trauma, and cancer care. John Muir Walnut Creek Medical Center sports a modern facility and provides exceptional care. UCSF Medical Center: This hospital is globally recognized for its advanced technology and innovative treatments. Their team of physicians includes experts in almost all specialties, and they are ranked as one of the nation’s top hospitals. From cancer treatments, neurological and immunological disorders, to cardiac care, this hospital has you covered. There are actually many quality hospitals in this city. So, if you decide to retire in San Francisco, you will certainly be taken care of as far as your health is concerned.

Entertainment – Keep Active and Enjoy Your Retirement

Now that you are retired, and your days are not tied up in an office, it’s time to have some fun! This is the very reason you should ensure that the city you retire in has plenty of activities for seniors. Northern CA tends to have a lot going on, especially in San Francisco and Walnut Creek. Let’s take a look!

You Can Enjoy These Activities if You Retire in Walnut Creek, CA

Walnut Creek locals have it made! They not only live in a beautiful Northern CA retirement community, but also a city that provides their residents with a variety of great things to do! Whether you enjoy touring a famous garden or catching a play, you will be sure to find something that interests you! Here are just a few things that you will love doing if you live in this East Bay Area city:

SENIOR CLUB

• Walnut Creek Senior Club: This senior club really cares about its members! They try and make sure you not only have fun, but also keep fit. They organize fitness activities through softball, tennis, walking, and bowling groups. You can have lots of fun by joining in on their bingo groups and other activities! They also have a mini-van service that takes their members anywhere in Walnut Creek for just $1. So, if you retire in Walnut Creek, you should join this fantastic club!

ART IN WALNUT CREEK

PLACES TO GO IN WALNUT CREEK

Where Will Your New Bay Area Retirement Housing Be?

Now that you have had a chance to see all that a San Francisco retirement community can offer, as well as Walnut Creek, it’s time to fine-tune your search and start considering where you will live within the city you prefer.

Senior Retirement Housing in San Francisco, California

San Francisco is a huge city that offers a variety of senior housing options. With so many to choose from, senior citizens will certainly be able to find something that fits in their budget. So, if you have decided that you would like to settle in a retirement community in San Francisco, search around for several retirement homes that you feel will fit your needs. You may even want to visit a few places to be sure you are making the best decision.

Senior Retirement Housing in Walnut Creek, California

If you plan on joining all the other seniors who have decided to call Walnut Creek their new home, then congratulations on your decision! It’s a wonderful place for senior citizens to retire. Because we love the Heritage Downtown, we are going to tell you all about it! The Heritage Downtown Active Senior Living Apartments Walnut Creek’s finest senior housing offers luxuries and services to their residents that sets them apart from the rest. Their residents enjoy convenient concierge service, group fitness classes, and scheduled trips around Northern CA. The older adults who reside in these fabulous apartments have access to a swimming pool and spa, resident gardens, and technology centers. If you love fine dining, you won’t have to go very far because there is an award-winning restaurant right on the premises. They certainly provide an atmosphere that will allow you to mingle and socialize with your new friends on a daily basis. These popular senior apartments are situated near Downtown Walnut Creek. This is a fantastic location that enables their residents to simply walk to their favorite restaurants and shops! The Heritage Downtown Active Senior Living Apartments have been named Northern CA Bay Area’s #1 retirement community. See why the Heritage Downtown might just be your new retirement destination.

If You’re Not Positive That You Want to Retire in San Francisco Then Check Out these Bay Area Cities

If you’re not sure if you would like to retire one of these featured cities, then here are a few other options so you can see what else is out there in the Bay Area:

• Will Vallejo, CA fit your retirement needs?
• Compare Oakland against Walnut Creek, CA.
• Will you make San Mateo, CA your new retirement community?
• See if San Jose is where you would like to retire.
• Check out Half Moon Bay’s retirement community information.

Make San Francisco or Walnut Creek Your New Retirement Destination!

There is a lot to consider when looking for a new retirement community. So, we hope that our Walnut Creek vs San Francisco retirement community comparison has helped you make your final decision. No matter where you set up camp, be sure to have fun, stay healthy, and make plenty of friends! See why the senior residents of the Heritage Downtown are happy with their decision to retire in Walnut Creek by watching this incredible video. It showcases just how great Downtown Walnut Creek is and why the locals love it so much. . .