Streets are wide and lined with sidewalks. The desert landscaping includes rocks, bushes, some grass and palm trees. Most of the nearly 2,000 pastel-colored residences have two bedrooms, and many have golf course views. A covered carport or an attached garage, a spacious master suite, stainless steel appliances, and granite countertops are common. Some properties boast golf cart storage.

Prices for both homes and their land begin in the mid-to high-$300,000s. Fees range from about $350 per month. Please verify these prices with a Realtor as they may change.

HOA and land lease fees help pay for a 24/7 guarded gate, basic cable, trash pick-up, and free golf at Palm Desert Greens Country Club. The 18-hole neighborhood course is PGA rated, and its clubhouse has a lounge and restaurant. The community manages a fully equipped fitness center, three swimming pools, as well as shuffleboard courts, bocci ball courts, and tennis courts. Neighbors enjoy more than 50 clubs and special interest groups.

The city of Palm Desert has a strong public art program, and its El Paseo Exhibition presents the best in local and national art. The Palm Desert Community Gallery holds six shows per year, and the McCallum Theatre offers concerts, dance performances, seasons of drama, and galas. Palm Desert supervises more than 200 acres of park land, 25 miles of trails, five community gardens, two community centers, and an aquatics center.

Palm Desert does not have a hospital, but Rancho Mirage, about three miles away, does, and it is accredited by the Joint Commission.

Summer temperatures are in the 90s and low-100s. Winter temperatures are in the 60s, 70s and 80s. On average, the city receives nine inches of rain each year.

Visit palmdesertgreensrealestate.com for more information. Go to ladonnakeaton.com/pdgcc-listings for listings.

California

California is the most populous state in the United States, and it is the sixth largest economy in the world.

Because it is so long, the climate varies greatly. Everything from deserts, forests and snow covered mountains to the world famous moderate temperatures of Southern California are here. Record temperatures have included a low of minus 35 degrees and a high of 134 degrees.

A string of missions, each built within a day's walking distance of another, runs the length of the state and started appearing in 1769. Juan Cabrillo first sighted California in 1542 and inspired the missions. A few of the most famous ones are San Juan Capistrano (the swallows return every year at the same time), and San Diego (the first one).

A few of California's natural resources include petroleum, timber and natural gas. Industries are manufacturing (machinery, transportation equipment, electronics), aerospace and defense, biotechnology, and tourism. Of course, Hollywood and Disneyland are known around the world. Other famous attractions are Yosemite National Park, the Golden Gate Bridge (San Francisco), Point Reyes National Seashore, Sequoia National Park and San Simeon State Park (Hearst Castle).

The lowest point in the U.S. is California's Death Valley at 282 feet below sea level, and the highest point in the Lower 48 is its Mt. Whitney at 14,491 feet above sea level. Outside of Hawaii and Alaska, the state's Lassen Peak is one of the two active volcanoes in the U.S. It last erupted in 1917.

More immigrants settle down in California than any other state

Are 55+ Communities Really "Retirement" Communities?

Many people who live in age-restricted communities (usually for people age 55+) are still gainfully employed. So why would they live in what is considered a "retirement" community? Why not continue to live in a standard neighborhood? People still employed choose age-restricted communities for the same reasons as people who are retired do: the safety, amenities and sense of community that one can provide. And whether employed or not, once the kids are grown, it is sometimes nice to live in a neighborhood where small children do not congregate.