I always thought I would like to retire in the Austin, TX area. I am in California and it is pretty expensive. The Sacramento area is one of the less expensive places in CA. I live more towards the Sierra Mountains, northeast of Sacramento. But, I lived in Sacramento for 25 years. Sacramento is flat, bicycle friendly and not the cowtown it used to be in years past. There is a light rail system that is mediocre, but if you live in an area it services, it is reliable and bike friendly. Hot in the summer, but most nights are very cool due to delta breezes. Winter lows are in the 30's-40's, but no snow and generally pretty dry. Spring is warm and a wet mess. Sacramento is generally conservative politically but battles with San Francisco that is pretty liberal.