Looking to move to CA from NJ - need help (San Diego: Home Depot, safe neighborhood)

[jessenj]

My wife and I have 3 kids under the age of 5. Last year I was diagnosed with colon cancer, and after chemo and surgery, I am cancer free. However, due to the chemo, I have become permanently disabled at 38 years old and working as a computer engineer for the last 18 years.

We've reached a point where we've decided we'd like to leave Hillsborough, NJ and move to Cali. My sister and her family lives in Kingsburg, CA so we'd like to be closer to her but not that rural. We can't decide between San Fran valley area or SoCal. We want a place that has decent weather, without freezing in the winters, and a reasonable cost of living. If you know anything about NJ, we like Hillsborough, and would like to find something similar (good schools, friendly community, 1/2 acre property lots, business area with local shopping like supermarkets, Kohls, Home Depot, etc)

Recently I visited a friend who lived near San Diego in a town called Murrieta, which was really nice, but very far south. I've also lived in Fresno a long time ago and really hated it. Being from the northeast, I don't want to even think about or concern myself with gangs and racial crap. Just want a safe neighborhood for my kids to go to school and have a decent life.

Any suggestions or ideas?

Thanks,

Jesse

[Charles]

What is your budget?
Will anybody be working? Doing what?
Are your folks still in NJ?

If you ever get back into working, Intel has huge operations in the Sacramento/Folsom area.

[jessenj]

My wife is a stay-at-home mom and can work anywhere when she returns to work (in about 5 years) as a bank manager. I don't see myself returning to the computer field. We currently net approx. $8k per month with only a few small bills. My parents are divorced and so are my wifes. They aren't a big concern for us when leaving.

[Ceece]

Take a look at Tracy. It's a drive (2 1/2 hrs) to your sister but it has the amenities you are look for. Even Brentwood (not the one in SoCal, the one by Tracy) which is all new housing and schools, very family oriented. Go a little farther north to Livermore and things start to get pricier but it's a great place to live and raise kids.

[Missy.Rivers]

Take a look at Goleta. It is the town that borders Santa Barbara. It is a great place for families, very good schools. Lots of parks and beaches. Very little crime, no gangs. Good weather (except for some marine layer fog in the mornings).
Cost of living and housing is medium to high.

[jessenj]

Thank you so much for the advice. I think my wife and I are gonna take the kiddies to visit my sister for Turkey Day and do a driving tour of the towns mentioned.
Thanks again for all your input.

[Snort]

Half acre lots... you might look into the smaller towns near San Luis Obispo. The area has mild winters. SLO is a great town and you're in between the two big metro areas of SF and LA.