Retirement is an exciting transition filled with new opportunities and choices. San Diego has many awesome communities to spend your golden years. We have put together our top picks on neighborhoods for independent living. Independent Living communities are designed to create a carefree lifestyle by providing service options such as housekeeping, transportation, maintenance, landscaping as well as activities and social facilities. Most provide a variety of home options from resort style luxury homes, single family homes, condos and apartments to suit every budget.
Our recommendations are based on crime rates, cost of living, amenities and our own personal experiences and opinions.
Auberge and Avanté at Del Sur
Auberge at Del Sur is a gorgeous 55+ community in North County. This active adult enclave is within the master-planned community of Del Sur. Homeowners within Auberge at Del Sur enjoy access to the amenities found throughout the neighborhood, including multiple pools, parks, and sports courts as well as exclusive use of 55+ facilities. With its own clubhouse, residents can enjoy the fitness center, a multipurpose room, pickleball court and bocce ball area. The immediate area has vast, open spaces for outdoor recreation, golf courses, and shopping centers for everyday needs.
Avanté is an active adult community also located in Del Sur. This 55+ community offers residents a classic set of amenities such as a pool and patio, as well as thoughtfully designed, low maintenance homes. The community clubhouse is the center of activity where residents can gather with neighbors and utilize the multipurpose rooms of the clubhouse. Residents have convenient access to local stores, restaurants and amenities.
Avanté home prices - High $800s - High $900s
Auberge home prices - Mid $900s - Mid $1M
The Glen at Scripps Ranch
Located just off Interstate 15 The Glen is a highly rated, upscale 55+ community in the Scripps Ranch neighborhood. The community offers single family homes, town homes and apartments to suit your budget and needs. Residents can access a club house, restaurants, a fitness center, movie theater, library and billiards room, pools, tennis courts and much more all within the community. With long-term care offered at the adjacent health care center, residents can access assisted living, memory care and a skilled nursing center. Residents pay a community fee to cover services when they move in and an ongoing monthly fee.
Price - Community fees range from $400s to over $1m. Monthly fees start at $4,700 a month
Rancho Bernardo
Rancho Bernardo is one of our top picks for retirement communities in San Diego. Some of our families even live here. Oaks North has been attracting active adult home buyers for over 40 years because of its lively social scene, wide selection of homes, and great facilities. In addition to a community center with a wide range of amenities, residents also enjoy access to the Oaks North Golf Course, providing 27 holes. With over 1,900 homes, Oaks North provides several housing options that include single-family homes, attached residences, and condominiums. Living in Oaks North means having endless clubs, groups and activities to take part in. The community is conveniently located just down the street from an Albertsons and the Rancho Bernardo Town Center, making everyday needs close to home.
Seven Oaks is one of the largest 55+ communities in San Diego and has over 1,700 single-family and attached homes. With an awesome community center offering indoor and outdoor activities residents have plenty of opportunity to be physically and socially active. There is also a beautiful courtyard, where residents gather to catch up with each other. With plenty of clubs, exercise classes and arts classes there are many activities to take part in. Shops, restaurants and medical centers are also located close by.
Oaks North - High $300s - Low $1Ms
Seven Oaks Average home price - Mid $400s - High $800s
Data on median home price provided by niche.com ( Niche ranks thousands of places to live based on key statistics from the U.S. Census and and expert insights.)