Weighing a move to the desert? **Ask me anything about retiring here**.
The pros
Why retirees love the desert
From October to April the weather is close to ideal — warm, sunny days and pleasant nights. It's why snowbirds flock here.
Some of the country's best 55+ communities, with golf, pickleball, fitness, and packed social calendars. See the best 55+ communities.
Costs run above the national average — largely housing — but well below LA or San Diego, a relative bargain for Californians moving inland.
Eisenhower Health in Rancho Mirage is a major regional draw for retirees who want top medical care nearby.
Dining, festivals (Modernism Week, the film festival), golf, hiking, and an easy pace.
The cons
What to weigh honestly
May through September brings daily 100-degree-plus temperatures that push life indoors during the day. Many seasonal residents simply leave for the summer.
The biggest line item in the local cost of living is housing; desert home prices sit above the national median.
Transportation costs run high and the valley is spread out — it's not a walkable-everything kind of place.
The valley is lively in winter and quieter in summer; that suits snowbirds but is worth knowing.
What it costs
Cost of living runs modestly above the U.S. average, with housing as the main driver and transportation also elevated. The headline for most retirees: it's meaningfully cheaper than coastal California while keeping a similar climate and lifestyle. Your real monthly number depends heavily on the community you choose — especially HOA dues and any golf or club fees.
Where to look