Where in CA?
Sep 3rd, 2005, 10:25 AM
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Where in CA?
My husband and I are planning way ahead for retirement (hey, I'm a financial planner - can't help it), and looking at CA (as well as WA and OR) as a possibility.
We love where we live now, but not the 60" - 100" of snow we get 4-5 months of the year not to mention the below zero temps. We have ruled out the Southeast due to the heat and humidity, and ruled out the interior as we want to stay near the coast.
We'd like to find something comparable in feel to where we live right now - we live on the coast of MA, in a beautiful historic seaport, voted one of the best 100 art towns of America.
There's always some sort of festival going on, and we like that community feel. The population is about 18K (we like this size - not too big, not too small - we would like to stay within 25K), with lots of good restaurants, a live theatre, waterfront park where free concerts are held, great boutiquey shops, good library, other nice towns surrounding, very little crime (other than petty crime), and beautiful Federalist and Victorian architecture.
Our town is on the National Register of Historic Places and our main street has more Federalist homes than any other part of the country. We live within one block of downtown and 2 blocks to the water.
Although we would love to stay where we are and escape for the winter, it is not feasible with a pet, not feasible financially.
A very average home here (3BR/2BA) sells for @550 - 600K. We live in an old home now that's been renovated (1795), but that would not be a requirement. In retirement, we might want something newer. We would, however, like a place with a sense of history (the town itself, and not a subdivision town).
We don't want to move to a place that's great in and of itself, but with nothing else around it, and want to stay withing driving distance of the coast.
We also would like to be close to town so we could walk as we do now to the center of things, and we definitely want a place with a real and vibrant "downtown". Being very close to a good hospital is also key, as my husband has had some heart problems.
We get about 40" of rain here a year, so a rainy "season" is OK with us (sure beats snow) but I think we would be crazed with constant drizzle and little sun. We really would like as close to a 4-season climate as we can get, and nothing really hot (90-100) in the summer. We'd rather have cooler than hotter.
We are recreational skiers, so being within a reasonable driving distance (4 hours) would be nice so that we could ski from time to time.
Of course we plan to visit the areas on our list, but to help in planning as we can't see it all, we'd like to know if we are in the ballpark (close to where we live now) with any of our "picks".
We have so far visited Sonoma and Napa Valleys, and our comparisons are now being made against Sonoma as we fell in love with that town. We also fell in love with St. Helena (too expensive), Yountville (probably too small and remote for retirement although oh so charming), and also loved Calistoga, but housing seemed a bit "iffy" there. We are visiting Mendocino/Ft. Bragg, Nevada City as well as Sonoma again in May. We realize Sonoma is not cheap, but we found some nice retirement communities that would suit us just fine outside of town. We'd give up being walking distance to town, but we realize there will be trade-offs whatever we decide.
Here are our picks:
Sonoma (so far our top pick)
Mendocino/Ft. Bragg (I'm thinking this might be too small and isolated for us and worry about the healthcare)
Eureka/Arcata
San Luis Obispo/Atascadero (I'm thinking this will not be the 4-season climate we are looking for and perhaps busier than we want)
Pismo Beach/Oceano/Arroyo Grande - (Same thoughts as above)
Nevada City
Any insight anyone can provide would be much appreciated.
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We love where we live now, but not the 60" - 100" of snow we get 4-5 months of the year not to mention the below zero temps. We have ruled out the Southeast due to the heat and humidity, and ruled out the interior as we want to stay near the coast.
We'd like to find something comparable in feel to where we live right now - we live on the coast of MA, in a beautiful historic seaport, voted one of the best 100 art towns of America.
There's always some sort of festival going on, and we like that community feel. The population is about 18K (we like this size - not too big, not too small - we would like to stay within 25K), with lots of good restaurants, a live theatre, waterfront park where free concerts are held, great boutiquey shops, good library, other nice towns surrounding, very little crime (other than petty crime), and beautiful Federalist and Victorian architecture.
Our town is on the National Register of Historic Places and our main street has more Federalist homes than any other part of the country. We live within one block of downtown and 2 blocks to the water.
Although we would love to stay where we are and escape for the winter, it is not feasible with a pet, not feasible financially.
A very average home here (3BR/2BA) sells for @550 - 600K. We live in an old home now that's been renovated (1795), but that would not be a requirement. In retirement, we might want something newer. We would, however, like a place with a sense of history (the town itself, and not a subdivision town).
We don't want to move to a place that's great in and of itself, but with nothing else around it, and want to stay withing driving distance of the coast.
We also would like to be close to town so we could walk as we do now to the center of things, and we definitely want a place with a real and vibrant "downtown". Being very close to a good hospital is also key, as my husband has had some heart problems.
We get about 40" of rain here a year, so a rainy "season" is OK with us (sure beats snow) but I think we would be crazed with constant drizzle and little sun. We really would like as close to a 4-season climate as we can get, and nothing really hot (90-100) in the summer. We'd rather have cooler than hotter.
We are recreational skiers, so being within a reasonable driving distance (4 hours) would be nice so that we could ski from time to time.
Of course we plan to visit the areas on our list, but to help in planning as we can't see it all, we'd like to know if we are in the ballpark (close to where we live now) with any of our "picks".
We have so far visited Sonoma and Napa Valleys, and our comparisons are now being made against Sonoma as we fell in love with that town. We also fell in love with St. Helena (too expensive), Yountville (probably too small and remote for retirement although oh so charming), and also loved Calistoga, but housing seemed a bit "iffy" there. We are visiting Mendocino/Ft. Bragg, Nevada City as well as Sonoma again in May. We realize Sonoma is not cheap, but we found some nice retirement communities that would suit us just fine outside of town. We'd give up being walking distance to town, but we realize there will be trade-offs whatever we decide.
Here are our picks:
Sonoma (so far our top pick)
Mendocino/Ft. Bragg (I'm thinking this might be too small and isolated for us and worry about the healthcare)
Eureka/Arcata
San Luis Obispo/Atascadero (I'm thinking this will not be the 4-season climate we are looking for and perhaps busier than we want)
Pismo Beach/Oceano/Arroyo Grande - (Same thoughts as above)
Nevada City
Any insight anyone can provide would be much appreciated.
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Sep 3rd, 2005, 10:31 AM
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p.s.s. We also would like to be within reasonable driving distance of a city.
Right now we are 30 miles from Boston, and although we don't go in that much, from time to time we like to go in for the day or a long weekend to see theatre, sporting events, or just hang out. I would think a bigger city also would have specialized and more advanced health care.
Right now we are 30 miles from Boston, and although we don't go in that much, from time to time we like to go in for the day or a long weekend to see theatre, sporting events, or just hang out. I would think a bigger city also would have specialized and more advanced health care.
Sep 3rd, 2005, 10:39 AM
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How about Laguna Beach? It's quite expensive, but it's a gorgeous arts-community town with lots of history, lots of world-famous festivals (Festival of the Arts, Sawdust Festival, Pageant of the Masters), regular Art Walks in downtown galleries, beach, near towns, four hours to skiing, etc.
Sep 3rd, 2005, 01:51 PM
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We visited Healdsburg our first visit to CA. Although very special, we found it a bit remote.
I think Laguna Beach is perhaps out of our price range, and does not offer the 4-season climate we are seeking.
We are looking forward to our visit to Mendocino, and look for any info. on the healthcare system there - hospitals, specialists, distance to urgent care/advance care facilities....
I think Laguna Beach is perhaps out of our price range, and does not offer the 4-season climate we are seeking.
We are looking forward to our visit to Mendocino, and look for any info. on the healthcare system there - hospitals, specialists, distance to urgent care/advance care facilities....
Sep 3rd, 2005, 06:35 PM
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What about Sebastapole? Fort Bragg can be pretty foggy and damp, Nevada City is a really neat little town, between Sacrament and Reno. It is usually below the snow line so you can get out and go to SAC anytime you want. If there is a lot of snow in the Sierra, it makes Reno hard to get to sometimes. It is also fairly convenient to Lake Tahoe and San Francisco although I think a better weekend trip...too far for a good day trip, but you COULD do either SF or Tahoe as a day trip if you really wanted to. Not my idea of a good time. You can get a fair amount of fog settling in and around Nevada City in the winter time. The town is charming, I love it there. I hope you find the city of your dreams. Good luck.
Sep 3rd, 2005, 07:13 PM
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Yup, I was thinking Sebastopol, you passed on Petaluma...??? Yeah housing costs are nutz here...yet Petaluma has the history you seek.
Ah, schucks...to be close by
or look at Cotati, Rohnert Park, Windsor
and Cloverdale.
All have loads of festivals, farmer markets, etc.
Gosh I have a Luxury Link deal I would
love to "pass on" for the Stevenswood
Lodge in Mendo if you are tempted it's a great deal at a great place..
R5
Ah, schucks...to be close by
or look at Cotati, Rohnert Park, Windsor
and Cloverdale.
All have loads of festivals, farmer markets, etc.
Gosh I have a Luxury Link deal I would
love to "pass on" for the Stevenswood
Lodge in Mendo if you are tempted it's a great deal at a great place..
R5
Sep 4th, 2005, 05:57 AM
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On our recent trips to CA, we checked out:
Petaluma, Sebastapol, Bodega, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Windsor, Cloverdale, Healdsburg, Sonoma, Glen Ellen, Kenwood, Napa, Yountville, Calistoga, St. Helena.
We really liked Petaluma, but it is too big for us.
Sonoma is at the top of our list. St. Helena is on the list also, but only if we win the lottery.
We cannot afford Santa Barbara, and it doesn't have the 4-season climate we are looking for. We also want to stay on the coast, so NM and Utah, although beautiful states, would not fit our criteria. We're pretty set on our list, unless anyone knows of a town we missed that fits what we are looking for. The only one I have read about that we did not include because I think it is too far inland and may be too hot in Summer is Chico. Our criteria in a nutshell:
Driving distance (hour or so) to ocean
Driving distance to skiing (4 hrs or less)
A "real" downtown
A vibrant town with arts and culture
A town between 8K - 25K population
Good restaurants
A sense of history
Nice neighboring towns
Good weather - not constant rain/drizzle nor lots of snow (we don't mind a little snow if it melts quickly)- we want to see the sun (not too hot in summer though)
A town with "real" stores mixed in with the "boutique" stores
Close (hour or so drive) to a major city
Town with a hospital IN the town
Recreational opportunities - farmers markets, festivals, etc.
Can anyone comment on Eureka and Aracata?
Petaluma, Sebastapol, Bodega, Rohnert Park, Cotati, Windsor, Cloverdale, Healdsburg, Sonoma, Glen Ellen, Kenwood, Napa, Yountville, Calistoga, St. Helena.
We really liked Petaluma, but it is too big for us.
Sonoma is at the top of our list. St. Helena is on the list also, but only if we win the lottery.
We cannot afford Santa Barbara, and it doesn't have the 4-season climate we are looking for. We also want to stay on the coast, so NM and Utah, although beautiful states, would not fit our criteria. We're pretty set on our list, unless anyone knows of a town we missed that fits what we are looking for. The only one I have read about that we did not include because I think it is too far inland and may be too hot in Summer is Chico. Our criteria in a nutshell:
Driving distance (hour or so) to ocean
Driving distance to skiing (4 hrs or less)
A "real" downtown
A vibrant town with arts and culture
A town between 8K - 25K population
Good restaurants
A sense of history
Nice neighboring towns
Good weather - not constant rain/drizzle nor lots of snow (we don't mind a little snow if it melts quickly)- we want to see the sun (not too hot in summer though)
A town with "real" stores mixed in with the "boutique" stores
Close (hour or so drive) to a major city
Town with a hospital IN the town
Recreational opportunities - farmers markets, festivals, etc.
Can anyone comment on Eureka and Aracata?
Sep 4th, 2005, 06:41 AM
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Hi Wanderer
I can comment on Eureka/Arcata. I do not think we meet your needs We meet or exceed #'s 1,4 5,6,7,8,9,12(Both). and 13 Some would say yes to 3 and 10. However it is not for everybody. Up here behind the ever shrinking redwood curtain there is not a lot to do. More so when you compare us with the southern part of northern California. I think this area is the best place to live in all of California, but I am biased. There has been a land boom up here and we are seeing a number of retirees moving in. If you have additional questions post back to this thread I am always lurking around. Good luck in your search.
Have Fun
GP
I can comment on Eureka/Arcata. I do not think we meet your needs We meet or exceed #'s 1,4 5,6,7,8,9,12(Both). and 13 Some would say yes to 3 and 10. However it is not for everybody. Up here behind the ever shrinking redwood curtain there is not a lot to do. More so when you compare us with the southern part of northern California. I think this area is the best place to live in all of California, but I am biased. There has been a land boom up here and we are seeing a number of retirees moving in. If you have additional questions post back to this thread I am always lurking around. Good luck in your search.
Have Fun
GP
Sep 4th, 2005, 09:11 AM
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Check out Rancho Bernado, Northeast suburban of San Diego. RB is 25 min. from downtown San Diego, 20 min. from the beach, 45 min. from the desert and 30 min. away from the mountain (If you like snow). Big Bear, 2-3 hrs from here, is a popular ski resorts area for S. Californians. RB is a well planned retirement community town. The weather here is just impeccable. Most of the days are blue sky with warm sunshine. In the evenings, you can enjoy the cool sea breeze.
Five years ago, we sold our high-tech business in Ohio and retired here. We have been throughly enjoy our life here.
Five years ago, we sold our high-tech business in Ohio and retired here. We have been throughly enjoy our life here.
Sep 4th, 2005, 04:09 PM
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Comments regarding Sutter Creek, Nevada City etc. These little towns really are lacking in health care you would have to go to Sacramento for any major type illness.
San Luis Obispo has beautiful weather, my daughter went to college there and she wore shorts all year long. She hated to leave the clean air and sunshine when she graduated. Santa Maria is growing and there is a nice over 55 community being built there.
Sonoma is a favorite of mine too, it is getting a little expensive. There are older homes close to the town square need a little TLC that are more affordable.
We settled in Aptos/Seascape area on the Monterey Bay - we look directly across the bay at Monterey and Pacific Grove. We love the weather and walking on the beach. Good luck in your search - as a native Californian who has lived all over I would not go to Mendocino you would find that to remote. It makes a great place for a visit!
San Luis Obispo has beautiful weather, my daughter went to college there and she wore shorts all year long. She hated to leave the clean air and sunshine when she graduated. Santa Maria is growing and there is a nice over 55 community being built there.
Sonoma is a favorite of mine too, it is getting a little expensive. There are older homes close to the town square need a little TLC that are more affordable.
We settled in Aptos/Seascape area on the Monterey Bay - we look directly across the bay at Monterey and Pacific Grove. We love the weather and walking on the beach. Good luck in your search - as a native Californian who has lived all over I would not go to Mendocino you would find that to remote. It makes a great place for a visit!
Sep 4th, 2005, 04:51 PM
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Can I go outside the box of your question a little bit? Why are you restricting yourself to California?
It seems to me the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe fits much of what you asked for. Most years, the snow is not excessive, you are only a short drive from the Sacramento area and a slightly longer drive to San Francisco, and the tax situation is much more favorable in Nevada than California. If you don't like Tahoe, you might want to look at the Verdi area just west of Reno or the Carson Valley just east of Tahoe and a few thousand feet lower in elevation.
Just a thought.
It seems to me the Nevada side of Lake Tahoe fits much of what you asked for. Most years, the snow is not excessive, you are only a short drive from the Sacramento area and a slightly longer drive to San Francisco, and the tax situation is much more favorable in Nevada than California. If you don't like Tahoe, you might want to look at the Verdi area just west of Reno or the Carson Valley just east of Tahoe and a few thousand feet lower in elevation.
Just a thought.
Sep 4th, 2005, 04:56 PM
#20
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Thanks. That's just the info. I'm after - what I won't find out in the tour books, or seeing a place.
Knowing how "liveable" someplace is for us is reallt important.
In my heart, I think we will end up in Sonoma. We just have not found anyplace that we like better - other than where we live.
It feels "comfortable" to us - a mix of "cutsey" shops with stores like paint stores, drugstores, etc.
And who could argue that the surrounding towns are a vacation in themselves. Sonoma seems to meet most of what we are looking for, if not all.
At this point, I'd love to know cons of living there - I'm sure there are some - other than price of homes, of which we are all too well aware...
We are not in a position to buy now - we cannot afford 2 homes - so we can just hope that where we are keeps pace... So far, so good.
Would love to hear from anyone who lives here what the negatives are. We're well aware that no place is perfect.
Knowing how "liveable" someplace is for us is reallt important.
In my heart, I think we will end up in Sonoma. We just have not found anyplace that we like better - other than where we live.
It feels "comfortable" to us - a mix of "cutsey" shops with stores like paint stores, drugstores, etc.
And who could argue that the surrounding towns are a vacation in themselves. Sonoma seems to meet most of what we are looking for, if not all.
At this point, I'd love to know cons of living there - I'm sure there are some - other than price of homes, of which we are all too well aware...
We are not in a position to buy now - we cannot afford 2 homes - so we can just hope that where we are keeps pace... So far, so good.
Would love to hear from anyone who lives here what the negatives are. We're well aware that no place is perfect.
