Where is the Ideal Community to Retire With Good Sailing Access

[lee howard]

planning for retirement.,looking for a community/city where you can live comfortably and have easy access to marinas, etc., for sailing; prefer west coast. thanks

[rebel heart]

San Diego is pretty nice; a bit expensive for some.

[djmarchand]

We just moved from Newport Beach, Ca (verrrry expensive!!) to Oriental, NC to retire. Waterfront property here is some of the lowest cost in the country, with easy access to deep water.

But if you must live on the west coast, you can't beat San Diego. The marinas in Chula Vista are somewhat reasonable. Cruising destinations are limited- only a few in the San Diego area- Mission Bay and Gloria Bay.

David

[boatman61]

Swansea Marina's rather pleasant.... near the beautiful Gower Peninsula...
good transport links and close to the capital Cardiff....
a lovely part of the world..

[Geoduck]

Anacortes, Washington
In the heart of the San Juan Islands, one day sail from Cape Flattery (ocean), Cruise to Canada and Alaska in the summer then head for Mexico - about a two week trip- if your heart desires- then over to Hawaii & back to Vancouver island, into the Straits of Juan de Fuca and home! (takes about a year)
Washington is far better choice than Calif - by far- but you need to own a raincoat! (at least you dont have to wear a gas mask)

[David_Old_Jersey]

West coast is mainly one big bay and no marinas, but a couple down south (about 10 mins drive - that be termed "miles away"). For a "retirement community" then looking at around £350k for a 2 bed apartment - they be cheaper because over 60's only. Rental is around £14k pa.

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by Geoduck

Anacortes, Washington
In the heart of the San Juan Islands, one day sail from Cape Flattery (ocean), Cruise to Canada and Alaska in the summer then head for Mexico - about a two week trip- if your heart desires- then over to Hawaii & back to Vancouver island, into the Straits of Juan de Fuca and home! (takes about a year)
Washington is far better choice than Calif - by far- but you need to own a raincoat! (at least you dont have to wear a gas mask)

You might be the only person on the planet who thinks the Pacific Northwest is better for a sailor than California.

[Charlie]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

You might be the only person on the planet who thinks the Pacific Northwest is better for a sailor than California.

I have had my boat in both places and must say they each have their own advantages. PNW has much more extensive cruising grounds, better fishing, more wildlife, and a lot more anchorages.

San Diego has better weather. Much better weather. And its closer to even better weather -- Mexico. Swimming and surfing are better in SD.

That said I guess it depends on your cruising style. Lets say you want to daysail for extended trips. In SD you can go from SD to Dana Point or Newport and then to Catalina and a few islands. In the PNW if you start from Anacortes you have the choice of Orcas, San Juan, Lopez, Sucia and a number of other islands all within 25 nm. I love both places but I like the weather in SD much better. I also plan on bringing my boat up to SF Bay early next year.

[rebel heart]

Originally Posted by Charlie

I have had my boat in both places and must say they each have their own advantages. PNW has much more extensive cruising grounds, better fishing, more wildlife, and a lot more anchorages.

San Diego has better weather. Much better weather. And its closer to even better weather -- Mexico. Swimming and surfing are better in SD.

That said I guess it depends on your cruising style. Lets say you want to daysail for extended trips. In SD you can go from SD to Dana Point or Newport and then to Catalina and a few islands. In the PNW if you start from Anacortes you have the choice of Orcas, San Juan, Lopez, Sucia and a number of other islands all within 25 nm. I love both places but I like the weather in SD much better. I also plan on bringing my boat up to SF Bay early next year.

I'm not knocking the PNW at all; I lived up on San Juan for a bit bucking hay near Roche Harbor. But for living outdoors there's just no way to beat the fairly dry conditions of a Southern Californian (or as you mentioned, Northern Mexican) climate.

I had a friend who spent his winter in La Paz and he said he got three drops of rain on his deck the entire time. SO JEALOUS.

[zeta]

Welcome aboard! There are no bests as everyone has their opinion on what constitutes best. List your wants and needs and find a place that meets those goals, big world out there with plenty of places that should please. You mentioned west coast, hard to argue against San Diego, but I personally prefer the west coast of Florida. If you are retired and living on a your boat, then if you don't like it-----weigh anchor.

[dana-tenacity]

Live on the boat and go where ever your little heart desires.

[xymotic]

Isn't the entire state of Florida a retirement community?

[hpeer]

Halifax, not West coast, butter.

[Geoduck]

Originally Posted by rebel heart

You might be the only person on the planet who thinks the Pacific Northwest is better for a sailor than California.

I started sailing in Calif 50 years ago. I spent 25 years fishing the entire coast from Mexico to Alaska. I've circumnavigated the Sea of Cortez twice. I spent 1 year in the Med, 2 years bumming around the Carribean. Went through the Canal, etc, etc. I dont think Ive missed much of anything California has to offer. I judge my opions on personal experience and preference. I havent been to the South Pacific yet - maybe next year. The only thing I miss about Calif, was the free anchorage in San Diego, which is history. I met my wife of 30 years on Catalina Island. Took her out sailing and that was that - so much for my trip to Tahiti.
Calif isnt so bad - that's where I was born - probably where my ashes will wind up but I live up here because I have more FUN than I ever did in California.
"What ever blows the wind up your skirt"

[Hudson Force]

Originally Posted by dana-tenacity

Live on the boat and go where ever your little heart desires.

I like this plan. We seasonally run the boat from Maine to the Keys or Bahamas and fly out for side trips. Since we retired ten years ago, we've owned nothing that is not on the boat and this broadens our scope and funds.