A city in Santa Clara County has been named one of the best places to retire in the nation for its health amenities and quality of life.
Santa Clara took the No. 3 spot as one of the best places to retire affordably, according to a 2024 Fortune report. The ranking took into account health care, wellness, livability, resources for residents and financial health in its evaluation of the top 25 cities in the U.S. American Canyon in Napa County took the top spot, Newport, Rhode Island came in second, Beaufort, South Carolina was fourth and Portsmouth, New Hampshire ranked fifth.
The reported noted Santa Clara is home to the Triton Museum of Art, a 3,000-square-foot senior center and nearby medical and hospital facilities. Heart of the Valley contributes to older adults’ health and independence through driving them to medical appointments and offering free medical equipment such as wheelchairs, scooters and walkers. It provides free services to older adults ages 62+ living in West Santa Clara County, including home repairs from plumbing to electrical.
“We are bridging the gap of services offered in the area, like a lot of other nonprofits,” Sylvia Abboud, executive director of Heart of the Valley, told San José Spotlight. “We’re a lifeline for them because it costs a lot to have someone replace your kitchen faucet, paint your wall, do your yard work or put up your blind or curtain.”
Residents also have a wealth of hiking trails in the area, including the Santa Cruz Mountains and places such as Waddell and Panther beaches, located an hour away.
“The city of Santa Clara is an Age-Friendly City (designation by The World Health Organization) and aims to support residents as they age,” city spokesperson Janine De la Vega told San José Spotlight. “Santa Clara has beautiful weather and an array of amenities to offer to its residents.”
The Triton Museum of Art, which was a standout in the report with its single-floor design, is navigable for older adults. There are buses and senior home shuttles, plus free admission.
“Accessibility is something we take great pride in,” Aileen Tran, Triton Museum of Art spokesperson, told San José Spotlight. “Seniors really take a liking to these spaces because it’s also surrounded by redwood trees and a lot of sculptures.”
The report evaluated 2,000 cities, towns, suburbs, exurbs, villages and townships with 10,000 residents or more across the country. It pointed out that Santa Clara offers accessible health care through Kaiser Permanente Santa Clara Medical Center and Stanford Health Care. The report noted almost 38,000 above-average home care services available within 50 miles of Santa Clara, per 100,000 households. In addition, more than 59% of residents consider the city or area “a perfect place.”
The city hosts numerous community events such as a Fourth of July celebration, Art & Wine Festival, Street Dance and Concerts in the Park, De la Vega said, and offers an on-demand ride-share service with discounts for older adults.
“We pride ourselves as a city with a rich history and diverse population,” she said. “A place where you can live, work and play at any age.”
The Santa Clara Senior Center noted in the report makes staying fit easier with three wheelchair-accessible indoor pools and a fitness room with cardiovascular and weight training equipment. The center provides travel programs, meals, dance, art, health and wellness classes and caregiver workshops.
Exercise for older adults is critical to support healthy aging, De la Vega said, and participation in social activities helps to prevent social isolation.
Warren Doleshel, 71, grew up in Santa Clara and said the city is a safe place, but he misses the former downtown that created a sense of community with its mom and pop shops, creameries and newsstands. At the senior center he has made several friends during workouts.
“Socially, it’s a good outlet for meeting people,” he told San José Spotlight.
Jim Nicosia, 76, moved to Scottsdale, Arizona during the pandemic for 30 months, but returned every three months to see his friends. Two years ago, he returned to Santa Clara, trading his 7,000-square-foot home with a pool and a mortgage of $800 a month for a $2,400 a month one-bedroom home. He appreciates Santa Clara’s public transportation and walkability. On Sundays, he takes the bus to watch sports games. Nicosia comes to the fitness center often to do cardio and socialize.
“I’m a people person,” he told San José Spotlight. “They have everything here that I need.”
Contact Lorraine Gabbert at [email protected].
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