10 Best Independent Living Communities in Chula Vista, CA

 

Learn More About Independent Living in Chula Vista, CA

 

Just south of San Diego, Chula Vista has all the attractions of a big city with a more relaxed, family-centered atmosphere — residents of any age can stay busy at bayside museums, nature preserves, and open-air shopping centers. Downtown’s Third Avenue Village, home to local festivals and farmers’ markets, is one of the most walkable areas of the city and highlights Chula Vista’s continued small-town charm.

Independent living communities — also known simply as retirement communities — in Chula Vista are geared towards seniors who are able to live on their own, without daily assistance, and prefer to live among people their age. This usually means residents are self-sufficient and do not require hands-on care. Think of Chula Vista retirement communities as age-restricted (typically 55+) complexes, which provide organized activities, meal services, and transportation.

Cost of Independent Living in Chula Vista, CA

The median monthly cost of independent living is about $1,800 in Chula Vista and $2,800 within the San Diego metropolitan area. The median monthly cost of independent living in the state of California is around $3,000.

 

Learn More About Chula Vista, CA

 

Cost of Living

 

The total household expenses associated with living in Chula Vista are rated 36 points above the national average. Grocery and other essential costs are also rated significantly above the average.

Index Scores

All index scores are based on a scale that has the national average set at 100. A score of 200 indicates that the cost is twice as expensive as the national average, while a score of 50 indicates that the cost is half as expensive.

Household Expenses	Health Care	Insurance	Entertainment	Groceries	Clothing
136	146	129	136	136	131

 

Income and Housing

Median Income Age 45-64	Median Income Age 65+	Median Household Income	Average Individual Income	Median Employee Salary	Average Property Tax	One-bedroom Apartment Gross Rent Estimate
$82,050 per year	$43,676 per year	$67,673 per year	$25,725 per year	$42,916 per year	$5,367 per year	$1,342 per month

 

 

Local Hospitals

 

The top hospitals that service Chula Vista include:

Sharp Chula Vista Medical Center

• Facility type: nonprofit, short-term acute care
• Bed count: 340+
• Specialties: emergency department, ICU, inpatient surgery

Paradise Valley Hospital

• Facility type: corporate, short-term acute care
• Bed count: 290+
• Specialties: emergency department, joint replacement, hemodialysis

Scripps Mercy Hospital Chula Vista

• Facility type: nonprofit, short-term acute care
• Bed count: 170+
• Specialties: emergency department, ICU

 

 

Weather and Climate

 

Chula Vista, like most of the San Diego area in Southern California, has a semi-arid climate. This means Chula Vista has year-round, abundant sunshine, hot summers with very little rainfall, and cool (but not cold) winters with slightly more precipitation than during the summer months. The average humidity level is 67%, and humidity levels are often highest during July and August at about 71%.

 

Seasonal Temperatures

January Average	January Maximum	January Minimum
57°F	69°F	46°F

 

July Average	July Maximum	July Minimum
70°F	76°F	64°F

 

Air Quality

• Relative Air Quality Index: 132

This index is based on a scale that has the national average set at 100. A score of 200 indicates twice the presence of air pollutants than the national average, while a score of 50 indicates half the presence.

Precipitation

• Average annual precipitation: 9.9″

 

 

Demographics and Values

 

Population Statistics

Median Age	Percent of Population Over 65	Population	Population Density	Average Household Size
35.5	12.1%	270,472	5,449.7 per square mile	3

 

Race & Ethnicity

American Indian or Alaskan Native	Asian	Black	Hispanic or Latino	Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander	Two or More Races	White (not Hispanic or Latino)
0.3%	16.0%	4.6%	58.8%	0.7%	5.5%	17.9%

These figures were taken from the most recent U.S. Census.

 

LGBTQ+ Inclusivity

These scores were taken from the 2019 Human Rights Campaign’s Municipal Equality Index.

• Non-discrimination laws in Chula Vista: 30/30
• Overall inclusivity: 100/100

 

2016 Presidential Election Results for San Diego County

Democratic	Republican	Other
56.1%	38.2%	5.7%

 

 

Arts, Culture, Entertainment, and Recreation

 

Some of the most popular museums and historic sites in Chula Vista include:

• Living Coast Discovery Center (marine life, birds, and plants)
• Chula Vista Heritage Museum
• Bonita Museum and Cultural Center

Outdoor attractions in Chula Vista:

• Memorial Park
• Bayside Park (walking trails and fishing pier)
• San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge
• Chula Vista Marina
• Rice Canyon Trail
• Otay Valley Regional Park (walking, biking, and equestrian trails)
• Otay Open Space Preserve
• Mountain Hawk Park
• Otay Reservoir Bike Trail
• Sweetwater Park Trail

Chula Vista’s top entertainment destinations and shopping districts are:

• Downtown Chula Vista — the Third Avenue Village (farmers’ market, shops, restaurants)
• North Island Credit Union Amphitheatre (large events)
• Chula Vista Elite Athlete Training Center (Olympic and Paralympic training site)
• Chula Vista Lemon Festival
• Chula Vista Center (outdoor shopping center)
• Otay Ranch Town Center (open-air shopping mall)
• OnStage Playhouse (community theater)

 

Transportation

Public transportation in Chula Vista is available via the Metropolitan Transit System (MTS), which operates bus routes and trolleys throughout the San Diego area. For seniors, MTS offers discounted fares and a paratransit service called MTS Access. With well-maintained walking and biking paths along San Diego Bay and throughout the city, Chula Vista provides many safe options for alternative transportation.