moving to USA, California (San Francisco, Sacramento: how much, safe area, buy)

[Stem cells reasearcher]

Hi. I am a PhD student in stem cells field, living in Sweden.
I am planning to move to California with my family (my wife who also is a stem cells researcher and two teenage kids), find a good pay job as stem cells researcher and after a time buy a house. Is there anybody that can help me with any kind of information about how high household income we should have to live in a good and safe area with a quite high standard and about the avarage american lifestyle?
I will be very thankful for any information

[Roma]

What city is your job located in? California is a BIG state. Cost of living varies from one area to another. This will give us a better idea of the area you might be interested in so we can help you better.

[diane470]

Does anyone know anything about Yuciapa California, were going to visit and would like some info from any one who knows about Yuciapa, what to do while their, what great food places to try,fun attractions..Things of that nature..

[urbandeco]

California is one of the most expensive places to live in the US. It really depends on your needs. What type of climate do you want? Do you want to live along the coast? Mountains? Desert? How much do you plan on earning and what type of housing do you need? City? small town? California is very suburban in many areas. Although, places like San Francisco are high density and may be more similar to someone from Europe. Give us more info and we will do our best to help you. cheers!

[Carolyn Montgomery]

Are you familiar with the University of California at Davis campus? Lots of research going there.

Davis is expensive; you would probably need to have a combined income of over $100,000 per year. The city itself has excellent schools and boasts the most Ph.D's of any American city. Davis is about 1 hour, fifteen minutes from San Francisco. For reasonable housing you will pay approximately $400,000 for a family of four. West Sacramento (10 minutes east) and Sacramento (15 minutes east) are a little more reasonable but still above $350,000 in a safe neighborhood with access to decent high schools.

Carolyn Montgomery
Sacramento Realtor