Pricey crime-ridden liberal mecca surprisingly named as top place for older Americans to live

An expensive, crime-ridden city has surprisingly been named the best place for older Americans to live.

This is evident from an annual ranking by AARP, a dedicated organization for people over fifty.

To determine whether somewhere is a nice place for seniors to live, the report examined whether residents have access to quality medical care, supermarkets and affordable housing.

It also looked at whether the city offers social and cultural opportunities, access to exercise and affordable transportation options, and whether the city is walkable.

But despite taking first place, the report admitted that San Francisco is “far from spotless.”

Rising crime and widespread drug use in public are a growing problem in the California city, especially in the troubled Tenderloin district downtown.

“The area has struggled with housing affordability and a homelessness crisis for years,” the study reads.

But despite this, the city ranks first for the fifth time overall and first in its category, excelling in areas such as access to healthcare, convenient and safe transportation and places to socialize and engage.

“We like to celebrate communities that are doing well, but we also can’t forget that every place has challenges they need to address,” said Rodney Harrell, AARP vice president of family, home and community.

“Housing costs, transportation choices and other concerns are impacting communities across the country, including those in the top 100.”

That San Francisco is named as the best place for older Americans to live, as well as the top in the “very large” city category, may still come as a surprise to many.

Quieter and cheaper towns or sunny seaside resorts often top the list of places where retirees can spend their later years.

The California city has one of the most expensive housing markets in the country: according to Zillow, the average home costs almost $1.3 million.

A recent study by GOBankingRates found that to live comfortably in the city, locals need to earn an annual salary of at least $252,878, which is out of reach for many older Americans living on a fixed income.

The study assessed “comfortable living” using the 50/30/20 rule. Here, 50 percent of a person’s income is covered by living expenses, 30 percent is disposable and 20 percent goes to savings.

Meanwhile, rampant crime and drug use on the city’s streets are forcing residents and businesses to flee en masse.

The California city has one of the most expensive housing markets in the country — where the average home costs nearly $1.3 million, according to Zillow

Rising drug use and crime have forced residents and businesses to leave San Francisco (photo: drug users in the city)

Despite ranking first, report admits San Francisco is ‘far from flawless’ (Photo: City drug users)

San Francisco’s Westfield, once a thriving shopping center with America’s largest Nordstrom in the city’s center, is now a shell of its former self after a series of departures from major stores.

Occupancy rates were a paltry 25 per cent in January, with staff and shoppers telling DailyMail.com how they had been left ‘scared’ by the ‘increasing crime, drug use and homelessness’ in the area.

Earlier this year, residents of an affluent neighborhood in the city said they had been left “traumatized” by a recent increase in burglaries, robberies and murders.

Some long-time residents said they had even resorted to using chicken wire to protect their homes from intruders and felt so unsafe that they were considering moving.

AARP ranked the top 100 communities overall and named the highest-ranked places in three other size categories.

Arlington, Virginia, took first place in the large category and Cliffside Park, New Jersey, ranked highest in the medium category.

Meanwhile, Great Neck Plaza, New York, is the top “small” place for people over 50 to live in the US, according to the Livability Index.