With mild weather year-round, walkable beaches, and a well-established healthcare infrastructure.

These three conditions alone make Santa Monica a city worth considering for retirement living in the United States.

In fact, this city has a significant proportion of elderly residents, and the city itself operates various programs and services for seniors.

The core hub for senior services is the Senior Recreation Center located within Virginia Avenue Park.

Here, a variety of programs are offered, including exercise classes, dance, crafts, and language courses, along with a Congregate Meals Program that helps reduce social isolation for seniors living alone. Residents aged 65 and older can participate in most programs at a discount or for free.

In terms of transportation, the Big Blue Bus offers discounted passes for seniors and people with disabilities. Additionally, Santa Monica provides a Dial-A-Ride transportation assistance service for those aged 65 and older or with disabilities, helping them get to places not served by regular bus routes through a reservation system. This service is a great help for seniors who no longer drive.

Access to healthcare is a key element of retirement living. Both Providence Saint John's and UCLA Health Santa Monica, mentioned earlier, accept Medicare, and there are specialist clinics and pharmacies distributed throughout the city.

The well-maintained walking paths near the beach provide a favorable environment for maintaining lower body strength and cardiovascular health, and many seniors enjoy outdoor activities thanks to the pleasant weather.

In terms of housing, there are several senior-only apartment complexes, and an Affordable Senior Housing program is available for low-income seniors who meet income restrictions. However, due to the generally high rental prices in Santa Monica, a significant level of retirement income is necessary to live in market-rate rental housing.

Living solely on Social Security can make it difficult to reside in this city. On the other hand, if retiring while already owning a home, one can manage fixed expenses by utilizing programs like Property Tax Freeze or California's Senior Property Tax Postponement Program.

For Korean seniors, the distance to nearby Koreatown (about 20-30 minutes by car) is another consideration.

While some travel is needed to access community resources such as Korean churches, Korean grocery stores, and Korean-speaking doctors, Santa Monica itself has the infrastructure to provide a comfortable and safe living environment for seniors.