Living a Mountain Lifestyle in Palm Springs, California

The picturesque Mount St. Jacinto rises over 10,000 feet directly above the town of Palm Springs, California, what might be considered one of the best mountain settings anywhere. The slightly funky, upscale downtown is in a broad valley set against  the mountain. The valley extends for miles and miles ringed by mountains on all sides – glowing red or white depending on whether it is in the setting sun or a spring snowfall.  There is no shortage of anything to do in Palm Springs, with hiking, climbing, golf and other outdoor activities usually on top of the list. In fact, Palm Springs offers residents and visitors the culture, sophistication, and opportunity usually reserved for large metropolitan areas.

Where to Retire in Palm Springs and Home Prices

Palm Springs is located in Riverside County. There are many other communities in the Palm Springs area, such as Rancho Mirage, Indian Wells, Palm Desert, Desert Hot Springs, etc. Some of these might offer less or more expensive housing options. Retirees contemplating a move to this area would be wise to spend time here on vacation to get a better feeling for the community right for them. The median home value was $$585,904 in the Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario Metro (Palm Springs) area in mid-2022, in the according to Zillow.com.  Prices in surrounding communities could be less (Indio) or more (La Quinta).

What Is Special about Palm Springs

• Beautiful setting – a desert surrounded by mountains • Wide range of housing opportunities for seniors • Convenient shopping and extensive medical infrastructure • Mild climate year round • Palm Springs Aerial Tramway rises 8500’ above the city • 350 days of sunshine •  The old downtown is a cool place

What Is Not Special about Palm Springs

• There is lot traffic in the season • Development is non-stop • Not for people looking for budget places to live • How long will there be water in this desert • Summer is hot! • Some people will find life in all of the gated communities to be sterile • We have heard complaints about air quality

Climate and Physical Environment

Palm Springs is situated in the Coachella Valley set against the St. Jacinto Mountains, about 107 miles east of Los Angeles. The desert is beautiful and the opportunities for outdoor life are considerable. Summers are extremely hot and winters pleasant. It can be nice in the valley but there is snow on the tops of surrounding mountains. The average July high is about 108 and the low 78. In January the average high is about 70 and the low 45.

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

Palm Springs has a rich cultural life, much to do with its status as a popular tourist destination and playground of the affluent. Don't miss the Living Desert Zoo and Gardens. The annual Palm Springs International Film Festival is a very big deal.  Palm Springs VillageFest is a weekly cultural stroll in the downtown every Thursday. Agua Caliente Cultural Museum celebrates the native Americans who lived here.

Crime

Crime in Palm Springs is about twenty five percent higher than the national average.

Medical Facilities

Desert Regional Medical Center; Eisenhower Medical Center (Rancho Mirage, Ca); John F Kennedy Memorial Hospital, Inc (Indio, Ca).

Transportation

Palm Springs International Airport. There is an extensive, if underused, public bus system.

Valuable Links

City of Palm Springs

Palm Springs on Wikipedia

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