Leaving California - but to where? (Los Angeles, San Jose: hotel, house, public school)

[lurk]

My husband and I want to move and try a new state. We'd also like to save some money. I'm 25 and have lived in California my whole life. I'm hoping to get your input as to what states/cities seem to fit our interests.

I moved to Santa Clara for school in 2000 and we currently live in San Jose. This place is just not for us. We're not city people. I know we could move to a nicer area and commute into San Jose, but we're ready to try something new at this point. We were six months into planning a move to Hawaii when my boss changed her mind Since she put the kibosh on that, we're reconsidering our options and would like to move to an area with a lower cost of living.

We don't mind the heat and would prefer to avoid colder temperatures. We'd like some sort of nature (lake, river, ocean, forest, etc.) within walking/biking distance. I met my husband skydiving and we wouldn't mind getting back into it, so dropzones nearby are a plus. We're not planning on having any kids, so that doesn't need to factor in. Arizona seems most appealing at the moment, but I keep reading about people wanting to get out. The cost of living is drastically lower and we'd be close to Mexico for vacations (which we could actually afford living there!). Are the rivers nice? Keep in mind, we're not looking to permanently settle down. We still want Hawaii, it's just going to be a more long-term goal. We've looked at everything from Arizona to Colorado to Florida, so all input in welcome. Thanks in advance!

[Charles]

Originally Posted by lurk

My husband and I want to move and try a new state. We'd also like to save some money. I'm 25 and have lived in California my whole life. I'm hoping to get your input as to what states/cities seem to fit our interests.

I moved to Santa Clara for school in 2000 and we currently live in San Jose. This place is just not for us. We're not city people. I know we could move to a nicer area and commute into San Jose, but we're ready to try something new at this point. We were six months into planning a move to Hawaii when my boss changed her mind Since she put the kibosh on that, we're reconsidering our options and would like to move to an area with a lower cost of living.

We don't mind the heat and would prefer to avoid colder temperatures. We'd like some sort of nature (lake, river, ocean, forest, etc.) within walking/biking distance. I met my husband skydiving and we wouldn't mind getting back into it, so dropzones nearby are a plus. We're not planning on having any kids, so that doesn't need to factor in. Arizona seems most appealing at the moment, but I keep reading about people wanting to get out. The cost of living is drastically lower and we'd be close to Mexico for vacations (which we could actually afford living there!). Are the rivers nice? Keep in mind, we're not looking to permanently settle down. We still want Hawaii, it's just going to be a more long-term goal. We've looked at everything from Arizona to Colorado to Florida, so all input in welcome. Thanks in advance!

I'd start with where can you get jobs and what are the "Plan B"s for jobs. Where do your folks live? What impacts would there be by moving? I jumped at California City about 26 years ago. I don't think I would want to live there although this sounds really neat and it's out there:

XCOR Aerospace - Liquid fuel rocket engines, pumps composites and spacecraft

The thread below starts off with sort of an algorithm for someone looking to move from a more expensive area to a less expensive area. It could apply for anywhere.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/color...o-springs.html

[lurk]

Thanks! I'll be able to move with my job. I'll need to be within commuting distance of an office, but that shouldn't be too hard as there are offices in most major cities (Phoenix, Miami, etc.). My husband might be able to keep his job as well. My parents still live in the house I grew up in. I've always been no more than 45 minutes away - I'm looking forward to a little distance. We have two cats, and we want to get a dog once we move, but other than that we have very little tying us down.

[MotleyCrew]

Being as young as you are, perhaps you should consider your means of income first. Go where you can save as much money as you possibly can, then when the time comes you can move anywhere you please, maybe even HI. AZ is a great place to live and we did not have much trouble adjusting coming from CA. Come and visit first! Best of luck to you.

[lurk]

Sounds like we're on the same page We're used to the outrageous cost of living here, but are ready for a break. Right now, our priority is to save money. We definitely plan on taking some trips once we narrow down our options. AZ is looking good at the moment, but I'm not sure which part of the state.

[Sorcerer68]

You might really like New Mexico. It's not mentioned as much here and if you like the boonies and the desert, it's a lovely place. I find the people friendlier than the other southwestern square states. Check out Santa Fe. It may be a little colder than you like but the summers are totally bearable.

My other suggestion is Prescott, Arizona. The weather isn't blazing as it's higher elevation and it's a doable drive into Phoenix.

Hawaii is a very, very expensive place to live. This seems to be a concern of yours. I lived in the cheapest part of Hawaii and my cost of living was 3x what it was living in Pasadena, CA. Don't let this crush your dream, just something you need to know.

[Paula Lynn]

I have a friend who lives in Prescott Valley, AZ. They love it.

[lurk]

Thanks for the tips, Sorcerer! I do realize the cost of living is extremely high in Hawaii, but it's actually comparable to what we're paying now. We figure that if we're going to pay a paradise tax, we might as well be in paradise. We've traveled there often and know it'd be worth it. But, until then, we want to save since that won't be so easy once we do eventually move there.

[bond1978]

You won't like Arizona because it looks and feels the same whatever direction you drive. Also, it is becoming very crowded like Los Angeles. Strategically speaking, you can't beat Florida because you have the beaches, the strong hotel restaurant economy that runs the state, and the 4th best Public School system in the U.S. If you think about it you are not that far from California by plane anyways.

[bond1978]

I'm in a credentials program at CSU LA and a gentleman who is in the class told me that Hawaii you get the same feeling that wherever you go it looks and feels the same. Also in terms of work, if you were not born in Hawaii it is very difficult to move to Hawaii and find work. North Carolina just like Florida has a great quality of life but I would choose Florida because its economy is stronger overall. There is a reason why young and old move to Florida.