If you’ve lived in California for years, you already know the numbers can be tough. Recent Census data confirms what many Californians have felt firsthand: California saw the largest domestic migration loss of any state in the country in 2025, with more residents leaving for other states than any other place in the nation.
For retirees weighing a move, here’s an honest look at the comparison.
Housing Costs: A Dramatic Difference
The median home price in the West recently reached $625,800 — with cities like San Jose ($1,920,000), Anaheim ($1,396,500), and San Francisco ($1,305,000) far above that. By comparison, quality new construction in Lake City, South Carolina starts at a small fraction of those numbers. For retirees on a fixed income, that difference can mean the choice between a comfortable retirement and constant financial strain.
Property Taxes and Insurance
Beyond the purchase price, ongoing costs — property taxes, homeowners insurance, and general cost of living — tend to run significantly lower in South Carolina than in California, freeing up more of a fixed retirement income for the things that actually matter: travel, family, hobbies, and healthcare.
A Different Pace of Life
Many people moving from California to the Southeast describe it less as “downsizing” and more as “right-sizing” — trading traffic, congestion, and constant hustle for a slower, more community-oriented pace of life, without giving up quality or comfort.
What This Looks Like at Farm Haven Cottages
Farm Haven Cottages offers Cavco modular homes built with the same attention to quality Californians expect, at a price point that makes sense for retirement. Every home includes solar power, super insulation, double-panel windows, and solid oak cabinetry as standard features — not upgrades. The community itself offers a pool, fitness center, greenhouse, and daily on-site nursing care, all within a true 55+ village setting in Lake City, South Carolina.
If the cost and pace of life in California have you thinking about a change, we’d welcome the chance to show you an alternative.
📍 Learn more at farmhavencottages.com.
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