Many people considering moving to Victorville for retirement often mention that they became interested due to the housing prices.

Compared to LA or Orange County, you can find much larger homes for the same amount of money, and there's the advantage of living quietly away from the busy urban areas. In fact, there are neighborhoods that are quite suitable for older residents.

However, there's one thing you shouldn't decide based solely on housing prices: safety.

Victorville has particular issues with car theft, theft of items from vehicles, and residential burglary that you need to be especially cautious about.

One thing to be particularly careful about is auto-related theft. You might park your car in front of your house overnight, only to find in the morning that the wheels and tires are completely gone, leaving your car on bricks. Wheels and tires are easy for thieves to resell, making them a target.

Leaving items visible inside your car is also risky. Even just showing a bag can lead thieves to think there's something valuable inside, prompting them to break the window and take it. This applies even if you're just stepping into a restaurant or running errands for a moment.

Especially for older adults, it's best not to leave wallets or bags in the car, thinking, "It'll be fine for just 10 minutes." If you have items to put in the trunk, it's safer to load them before you leave rather than after you arrive at your destination. If you have a garage, try to park inside at night, and consider basic anti-theft devices like wheel locks.

Compared to safer suburban cities in California, the rate of theft is higher, so if you're moving here, it's a good idea to check out the area in person before signing a lease.

That said, it doesn't mean that all of Victorville is dangerous. There are well-managed residential areas like Spring Valley Lake, and newly developed housing communities have a very different atmosphere compared to older commercial areas. In the U.S., even within the same city, the living environment can change significantly just by crossing a few streets.

Especially for retirees, I hope you don't make decisions based solely on daytime visits to homes.

When looking at real estate, most people go during the day. On a nice, quiet afternoon, most neighborhoods can seem perfectly fine.

If possible, try to visit on a weekday evening or Friday night as well.

Just by observing what kind of people are around at around 9 or 10 PM, whether the parking lot lights are bright, and if there are any abandoned vehicles on the street, you can get a very different feeling about the area.

Older adults should also pay a bit more attention to car maintenance. It's basic not to leave bags or shopping bags visible in the car, and if you have a garage, it's better to park inside if possible. Even if you park in front of your house, it's a good habit to double-check that the doors are locked. It's also wise to avoid leaving the garage remote inside the car.

When choosing a home, the lighting around the entrance and garage is important. Motion sensor lights, which are commonly used in U.S. homes, automatically turn on when someone approaches and are not very expensive. Installing a doorbell camera that records video at the entrance can help with package theft or identifying suspicious visitors.

As you get older, there's really no reason to take unnecessary risks at night. It's best to avoid staying alone for long periods in a shopping center parking lot that's mostly empty late at night or using an ATM. It's also more comfortable to handle shopping or banking during the day when there are more people around.

Recently, I want to emphasize to seniors to be cautious about phone and door scams. If someone claims to be from the police, bank, or utility company and demands immediate payment or asks you to buy gift cards, you should be suspicious. There are also scams where someone claims a grandchild or child has had an accident and urgently needs money. If you receive such a call, it's safest to hang up and verify directly with family before sending any money.

You should also consider emergency situations. If you're moving to a home for retirement, it's good to check how long it takes to get to the nearest hospital or emergency room and whether there's a pharmacy open at night. When you're young, a 20-30 minute drive isn't a big deal, but as you age, the distance to medical facilities can significantly impact your quality of life.

Victorville offers the advantage of being spacious and relatively quiet while lowering housing costs compared to the Southern California coastal areas. However, the choice of neighborhood is crucial. Especially if you're looking for a long-term home after retirement, you should consider not just the size and price of the house but also the nighttime atmosphere, nearby amenities, distance to hospitals, vehicle storage, and home security.

Ultimately, Victorville is not a city to avoid at all costs, nor is it a place where you can just pick any location because the prices are low.

As you age, a safe living environment where you can confidently open your front door becomes more important than just having a nice home.

I hope you take this into account when choosing a place to retire.