Great California INLAND towns for families? Suggestions? (Temecula, Fallbrook: rental, store)

[majoun]

The Gold Country might have what you're looking for. Or maybe Redding.

If you're looking for a larger city, maybe Sacramento.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by StandingLenticular

Chico!

I am not so sure about Chico, rentwise. Yes, it is a good place to raise a family.

I would add, some of the areas east of Sac (I don't think in Sac the rents are going to be that creat nor are the schools) The Gold country would also be a good suggestion. Maybe even look at Paradise, but again, I am not sure about decent rents for $1500, same with Grass Valley and Auburn area. They are wonderful small towns.

NIta

[Hwy phantom]

Originally Posted by nmnita

I am not so sure about Chico, rentwise. Yes, it is a good place to raise a family.

I would add, some of the areas east of Sac (I don't think in Sac the rents are going to be that creat nor are the schools) The Gold country would also be a good suggestion. Maybe even look at Paradise, but again, I am not sure about decent rents for $1500, same with Grass Valley and Auburn area. They are wonderful small towns.

NIta

Chico's rents are pretty low.

[kettlepot]

Originally Posted by ThanksABunch

Important things:

Family friendly (we have two children-13 and 3)
We work from our computers so we can live anywhere
A place with some character and culture would be nice..and not just some sleepy, boring town that people only pass through
Good schools (if that is even possible these days)
Low crime..of course (a given, I know)
Reasonable rent (we won't buy right away or perhaps for many years)---example: $1500 per month max for a 3-bedroom rental

First thoughts that came to mind were Chico, Paradise and Redding.

Chico has the most character. C-D Crime index 257 to 346

Paradise should be a little bit cooler than either Redding or Chico.
C-D Crime index 205 to 270

Redding is closest to Oregon and the coast. C-D Crime index 318 to 432, higher but that's because the Interstate runs directly through the city. However that can be handy when you need to get somewhere else.

[Hawk J]

Oakdale was a real nice friendly town a few lustrum ago. It still might be.

[NorCal Dude]

Placer county

[CarySanders]

Look at Grass Valley/Nevada City. Great culture (artists, theatrical productions, musicians). Excellent schools (I have six kids in public school). Small town feel that has enough shopping and services for every day living. Plus it's only an hour away from world-class skiing (Truckee/Tahoe), an hour away from every kind of shopping you would need, and two hours away from San Francisco. Perfect!

[lrmsd]

I would also add sonoma county.
a 3 bedroom for 1500 can be had, rent wise-perhaps in forestville, parts of santa rosa, cotati and petaluma, healdsburg....1700-1800 would be a more solid bet for a find, but it is do-able at 1500. The area has many charter schools and the districts otherwise vary in terms of quality-but check it out.
Santa Rosa is the largest city in sonoma with 150k, and petaluma has I believe around 60k.

[tickyul]

A lot of people are saying Temecula. Well, that is fine.........but, I spent some time there and found it kinda trashy.....you know, the gang wannabees with the baggy clothes all over the place. Hip-hop baby momma pushing their multiple babies.

I know it is a little out of the way.........but..........Fallbrook is much nicer IMHO, some real great deals on housing to be had at this time.

[CarawayDJ]

Originally Posted by tickyul

A lot of people are saying Temecula. Well, that is fine.........but, I spent some time there and found it kinda trashy.....you know, the gang wannabees with the baggy clothes all over the place. Hip-hop baby momma pushing their multiple babies.

I know it is a little out of the way.........but..........Fallbrook is much nicer IMHO, some real great deals on housing to be had at this time.

This is analogous to 2 people observing the same car accident and reporting different accounts. My views are 180 degrees opposite. That group you mention represents about .00001% of the population of Temecula. I think the only place you see the baggy pants crack flashers is by the mall. I can't stand to look at that myself. They're probably nice kids though....I guess.

It's interesting how different people can have such different perspectives. I've read a lot of your posts and know you aren't one of the guys just out to trash on a place.