Commonly Asked Questions

 

WHAT IS ROSSMOOR? Rossmoor is a planned, gated, community for active adults age 55 or over, or with a spouse age 55 or over, whether still employed, planning retirement, or now enjoying active retirement years. Rossmoor offers a broad range of activities and facilities, together with attractive and comfortable residences.

 

WHERE IS ROSSMOOR? Located in Walnut Creek, California, 2 miles from downtown, 2.5 miles from BART (Bay Area Rapid Transit), Rossmoor is 30 miles east of San Francisco and the Pacific Ocean.

 

CLIMATE? A Mediterranean climate at the foothills of the eastern side of the Coast Range, Rossmoor summers are sunny, clear and warm, with cool evenings. The average maximum daily temperature is 72 degrees, with summer daytime temperatures in the middle 80's with low humidity. Average annual rainfall is 20 inches.

 

SECURITY? In addition to protection by the Walnut Creek Police Department, Rossmoor residents are protected by Rossmoor's own 24-hour security service, including regular vehicle patrols. Rossmoor is a gated, limited-access community.

 

RECREATION FACILITIES? Five large clubhouses and over 200 activities. The following is a partial list:

18-hole Golf Course - par 72 Movie Theater

9-hole Golf Course - level, par 36 Hiking Trails

Golf Driving Range Woodworking & Lapidary Studios

Tennis & Pickleball Courts Sewing & Ceramic Studios

Fitness Center Art, Photography & Music Studios

3 Lawn Bowling Greens Library

4 Swimming Pools Rooms for meetings, banquets, dance studios

Creekside Restaurant & Bar Dog Park Event Center

 

HEALTH SERVICES? John Muir Medical Clinic is a fee-for-service facility for adults located just outside the entrance. Services offered include pharmaceutical, optical, hearing, dental, physical therapy, laboratory, x-ray and home care. Free services include loan of equipment such as canes, crutches, walkers and wheelchairs. Patients can be transferred locally to Kaiser Medical Center, approximately 10 minutes away, or John Muir Medical Center, approximately 15 minutes away.

 

TRANSPORTATION? Rossmoor's own bus service transports residents at no charge to recreational facilities, neighboring shopping center and the medical clinic. Connecting buses to downtown Walnut Creek and the BART station depart from the Safeway shopping center regularly.

 

MAINTENANCE RESPONSIBILITIES? Residents are responsible for maintenance of the interior of their manor, and their balcony, deck or patio. Exterior maintenance, such as painting, roof repair and grounds maintenance, is provided by Rossmoor through the monthly maintenance fee.

 

MAY I MAKE CHANGES TO MY HOME? Residents can redecorate the interior of their manor. All interior structural alterations and exterior changes must be approved first by the Mutual Board of Directors and the Architectural Design Review Committee.

 

MONTHLY HOMEOWNER'S DUES? The average current monthly home owners association (HOA) fee, called the coupon, on a cooperative (co-op) is from $1,142. A condo starts from $1,030 and $868 for single family homes. This fee provides for the continuation of quality maintenance programs, activities and services such as:

Exterior maintenance, including painting and roofing.

Landscaping and gardening maintenance.

24-hour security and home emergency service.

Water, trash removal.

Basic cable TV service & internet provided by Comcast-Xfinity.

Community bus system.

Community newspaper.

Taxes and maintenance on community facilities.

Fire and extended insurance coverage on buildings and grounds.

Residents pay their own gas, electric, telephone, property taxes and any loan payments except for cooperative owners. Cooperative residents have their property taxes collected with their monthly payments.

 

The monthly charge that covers the maintenance of the buildings and grounds is called the ‘Coupon’. Your Coupon is determined by the Board of Directors of your Mutual and you are notified at the end of the year what your monthly Coupon payment will be for the next year. Talk to your real estate agent for the exact Coupon amount currently being charged.

 

OTHER FEES? Modest fees are necessary for golf courses, lawn bowling greens, and recreational and boat storage. No fees are charged for use of craft shops, the fitness center, or other recreational facilities, except for materials purchased for the work. Some of the public rooms may be rented for private parties.

 

PROPERTY TAXES? Contra Costa County will transfer your property tax base from your previous Contra Costa County residence to your new Rossmoor residence. Generally, the transfer must be made to a property of equal or lesser value within two years of sale of your previous residence. Call the County Assessor's Office at (925) 313-7400 to verify your eligibility. If you do not transfer your current tax base, you can estimate your property taxes to be approximately 1.25% of the purchase price.

 

WHO MANAGES ROSSMOOR? Golden Rain Foundation (GRF) oversees Rossmoor's community facilities, clubhouses, fitness center, streets, bus system, security and newspaper. A non-profit corporation, GRF is headed by a board of directors elected by the residents and operated by a paid administrator and staff. Several homeowners' groups with Rossmoor called "Mutuals" form a second branch of management to oversee local neighborhood concerns. Within the "Mutuals" are "Projects" which form a third branch of management and are headed by directors elected by residents to determine maintenance procedures, budget, and collect assessments.