Most San Jose Residents Say the City Is a Poor Place to Retire, Survey Finds

San Jose residents largely believe their city is a difficult place to grow old. In the most recent annual audit of city services, 60% of those surveyed described San Jose as a "poor" or "very poor" place to retire. By contrast, 59% called it a "good" or "excellent" place to work.

The survey randomly sampled 1,464 adults, who answered by phone or online in English, Spanish, Chinese or Vietnamese. The margin of error is 2.6%.

Advocates, seniors and elected officials pointed first to the cost of living, which weighs heaviest on people with fixed incomes. They also cited gaps in transportation that make it hard for older adults to get around and can leave them isolated. Some seniors lack access to exercise classes or community centers, or are unaware of the support that already exists.

Sophie Horiuchi-Forrester, San Jose regional director for the senior nonprofit AARP, said affordability is the central problem for retirees. She noted that the effect reaches beyond the individual. "When you are on a fixed income living in one of the most expensive areas in the country, your support system like your children, your caregivers and your friends may also not be able to afford to live in this area," she said, adding that older adults can therefore lose their support networks.

AARP rates cities on livability for older adults. San Jose scores 58 out of 100, which is higher than most cities nationally, but it falls short on housing, the environment, engagement and transit. Mountain View and Oakland each score 60, and San Francisco scores 65. Meanwhile, living costs keep climbing, and so does homelessness. A 2022 count found that seniors make up 40% of Santa Clara County's unhoused residents.

Former Councilmember Johnny Khamis, who termed out in 2020, said building more housing, especially affordable senior housing, is the top remedy. He used to organize an annual senior resource fair for South and West San Jose that still takes place. The next one is set for Feb. 24 at Oakridge Mall, hosted by Councilmembers Sergio Jimenez, Pam Foley and Arjun Batra. Khamis said fairgoers asked about health care, identity theft and end-of-life planning, "but the top issue was always that it is too expensive to live here."

A 2022 report by Seattle-based bill management company doxoInsights put average rent in San Jose at about $2,112, compared with $1,832 in New York City. It also found the average San Jose resident pays $3,248 a month in recurring bills, including housing, utilities, car loans, health insurance and cell phone plans. That is 62% above the national average of about $2,000.

Khamis acknowledged that affordability and housing supply are not fully within the city's control, but said it can build more transit-oriented developments near public transportation. VTA has 11 residential projects underway near light rail stations, expected to add $30 million a year to the agency's revenue in the coming years. He said his aunt is considering a move to Florida because getting around by bus takes too long for a senior.

Richard Sanders, president of the Almaden Senior Association, said people who stop driving need transit to stay connected. Some members stop coming to the community center because they can no longer get around, he said. VTA runs a paratransit ride-share service for people with physical, visual or cognitive disabilities who cannot use buses or light rail, but Sanders said many seniors do not know about it, and trips can take a long time. The BART extension into downtown will improve regional transit, but it is years away. His group plans more outreach this year on social activities, meal programs and transportation options.

Horiuchi-Forrester said the most effective first step for officials is to involve older adults in all planning discussions. She cited the Google development as an example and said she hopes someone is asking whether the senior community has been consulted. "I just don't see that sometimes," she said.