This neighborhood in Oceanside is stock full of empty-nesters, many of whom have moved here after the kids left. You can walk to the beach, and easily get on the freeway to Orange County – and it is cheap, comparatively. This 3 br/2 ba, 2,472 sf house was built in 1952 on a 12,065 sf lot and has a full granny flat too:
http://www.redfin.com/CA/Oceanside/1002-Shafer-St-92054/home/3219555
Now pending.