Green Retirement Blog

You may think that with less than a million dollars, to retire in San Francisco, you’ll have to live in a crime and drug infested neighborhood. Wrong, wrong, wrong! With less than a million dollars, you can retire in the nicest neighborhood in San Francisco, perhaps one of the nicest in the nation - Telegraph Hill. Read all our San Francisco Retirement Articles, to see how it’s being done, but first check out the neighborhood.

Words can not do justice, to describe how absolutely stunning this neighborhood is, so I’ve taken some photos. Join me as I give you a brief tour of the neighborhood, you could retire in with less than a million dollars. I’ve shrunk the photos down to thumbnails, so that they can all fit on this post, just click on them and they will enlarge to full size. Let’s begin.

Telegraph Hill History

The American experience in California began in the 1830’s, at the foot of Telegraph Hill in Yerba Buena Cove, since filled in with debris and housing several piers. Yankees from Boston visited San Francisco to trade for furs, and established a small presence at the bottom of Telegraph hill, near what is today Montgomery Street. A little town named Yerba Buena developed, and the American settlers who never numbered more than a thousand, engaged in trade with the local Mexican population.

Then in 1848 Gold was discovered. And Telegraph Hill overlooked one of the greatest migrations in history. Soon Yerba Buena Cove was filled with abandoned sailing ships, as men rushed to the Sierra Nevada in search of gold, and within a year the population soared to over 25,000.

Telegraph Hill is one of San Francisco’s oldest neighborhoods, spared the destruction of the 1906 earthquake and fire, some of the city’s original architecture can still be found here. The Telegraph Hill Dwellers Association, has a more extensive description, of the neighborhood on their website.

Telegraph Hill Location

Sheltered underneath famous Coit Tower, and overlooking San Francisco Bay, Telegraph Hill occupies one of the best locations in the city. Heading South down the hill, you are an easy walk, to the heart of San Francisco’s financial district. Literally stepping down, the West end of the hill, brings you to the vibrant North Beach community. At the bottom of the Northern face of Telegraph Hill lies Fisherman’s Wharf. And right below the hill, on the Eastern edge is the waterfront, that wraps around the city.

There are no shops or businesses on Telegraph Hill, it’s purely residential, but everything you need is either a short walk or bus ride away. Admittedly, Telegraph Hill, is a steep hill. If you are physically un-fit, walking up the hill, could present a challenge. But Muni #39 will let you off at the top of the hill, and if you do want to get into shape, Telegraph Hill provides a free Stair-Master for your enjoyment.

The Neighborhood

Telegraph Hill is an oasis of nature in the heart of a big city. Walking up or down one of the many, rustic wooden staircases that line the hill, you may get the feeling that you have entered a rain-forest. Gardens of tropical plants and trees, cover the hillsides, and the famous squawking wild parrots of Telegraph Hill are always present. The people who live on Telegraph Hill, are proud of their neighborhood, and their love is shown in the care and upkeep of their homes and gardens.

Telegraph Hill Retirement

For people choosing a city retirement, Telegraph Hill is an ideal location, combining both the amenities of a big city and a feeling of peaceful natural seclusion. San Francisco, is one of the top tourist destinations in the world, let alone one the most beautiful cities in the United States. Everyday people from all over the globe can be seen walking through the Telegraph Hill neighborhood, to see the parrots and the lovely gardens, and to enjoy the breathtaking views of San Francisco. You could retire here with less than a million dollar in savings. What are you waiting for…

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