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Old 04-18-2012, 06:40 PM
 
1 posts, read 1,741 times
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Hi all!

I know I want to live somewhere in northern Calfornia, but I need your help to decide where exactly. Here is my "wish list":

- small-er town: I am a small-town girl, and living in a big city is not my thing. I would like somewhere with at least 10K residents but not more than 30K. I love that small-town feel.

- moderate weather: I do not enjoy heat (75-80 is about my max), I can deal with a little snow/cold in the winter (not too cold or too snowy though), and I would love an almost even number of days of rain/snow/clouds and sun. Rain is great! But I also spend a lot of time outside, so not too much rain.

- nature: I hope to live near a lake or some scenic area with lots of nature - animals, birds, trees. I love the forest, and mountains are beautiful, too. I like the beach but don't need to be near it. I hope to eventually have a hobby farm as well, so somewhere with land would be prime.

- environmental awareness: I always try my best to be as respectful of the planet as possible, and I want to live somewhere that values the Earth as well.

- family friendly: I plan to have a family someday and want an area where families are welcomed and common and have many opportunities and activities available. Decent schools and warm, welcoming communities are musts.

- healthy lifestyle: I care about being healthy, eating well and exercising, so I need a community that does too.

- active community: I like to get out of the house and do stuff - theatres, museums, libraries, sports, groups and clubs. I want a community that has stuff going on.

- near San Francisco: I love San Francisco and would like to be able to visit without having to drive more than two hours.

It's a long list, I know, but any and all suggestions are welcomed! I was looking at Napa/Sonoma Valleys...let me know what you would say about that!

Thank you!
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Old 04-18-2012, 06:46 PM
 
Location: The Other California
4,254 posts, read 5,580,494 times
Reputation: 1552
Sounds like Cloverdale might work for you.
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Old 04-18-2012, 07:18 PM
 
Location: The Other California
4,254 posts, read 5,580,494 times
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Old 04-18-2012, 07:37 PM
 
Location: Oroville, California
3,477 posts, read 6,461,004 times
Reputation: 6787
Healdsburg (Sonoma County - 70 miles north of SF).
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Old 04-18-2012, 07:45 PM
 
Location: Santa Cruz, CA
2,190 posts, read 6,828,191 times
Reputation: 2076
Yes, somewhere in Sonoma county.
I don't know where you live now but i suggest that you come to California (fly into San Francisco) and explore various communities to the north.
You need to see and feel the areas that you're considering.

Sonoma County, California
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Old 04-18-2012, 07:58 PM
 
Location: Quimper Peninsula
1,981 posts, read 3,134,524 times
Reputation: 1771
Naw.. Cloverdale is too hot in summer besides less than 10K. Healdsburg, can get kinda hot in summer too it is in that 10-30K range... Windsor ... Windsor if clean and orderly is your thing it fits the size climate requirment. So does Sonoma proper.

Lots of awesome smaller communities in West county with a great climate, but all under 10K population... I like Petaluma but that is 55K people... Might as well consider Marin county too.. What about south of the bay, down in San Mato county... Places like Half Moon bay, or the mountain communities north of Santa Cruz.
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Old 04-18-2012, 08:14 PM
 
7,150 posts, read 10,833,676 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BeauCharles View Post
Healdsburg (Sonoma County - 70 miles north of SF).
Nailed it.
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Old 04-19-2012, 12:05 PM
 
3,431 posts, read 5,200,683 times
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I love Healdsburg too, but it does get pretty hot in the summer. It certainly averages way more than 80F -- closer to 90 I'd say, but there are microclimates so stay a bit west of town. You won't find snow in lower elevation cities.
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Old 04-19-2012, 12:30 PM
 
Location: Eureka CA
9,519 posts, read 14,645,110 times
Reputation: 15067
You didn't mention jobs or a budget but Healdsburg ain't exactly cheap. Good choice if you can afford it , though.
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Old 04-20-2012, 08:54 PM
 
1,664 posts, read 3,938,650 times
Reputation: 1878
Sounds just like Sebastopol. Lovely weather , pretty ambiance and close to SF.
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