$75K income - where to move from Seattle area? (San Diego: rentals, health insurance)

[Walt Whitman]

Hi,
I have been in the Seattle area for more than 3 years now. I really loved it but now it is getting a bit monotonous. I work in IT and my employer allows telecommute from anywhere in the US so I am thinking of relocating to get a different experience. I will be in US for next couple of years and will go back to my home country once my business is done.

After opening a thread in Seattle forum and doing some research on my own I think like Southern Cali seems to be the best fit except the financial aspect. So I am opening this thread to see if I can get any help in choosing a place in California (preferably Southern) where I can financially survive.

Here is my wish list for the new town/city. I know there is not a place in Cali that has it all but it would be nice to find something that meets as many requirements as possible. I have a wife and an infant daughter and have a single job that pays $75K gross per year after health insurance is paid for. So I am not rich enough to live in a really expensive place.

Job - I will telecommute so job market/situation is not an issue.

Rent - $1100 - $1300 for 2 BR. No more than $1300. Should be a decent neighborhood.

COL - Should be able to live in my income.

Weather - I have been in the north for many years now. I am done with freezing winters by the way Seattle does not have any freezing winters per say but still cold. I would really love to go to a place that gets abundant sunshine and don't really need a coat in winter. I can do with a light coat in Dec/Jan but not willing to compromise much on this. I hope to play with my daughter outside any time of the year without getting frozen or soaked in rain.

Safety/crime - Comparable to Seattle area. Not really looking forward to a place infested with crime.

Less pollution the better.

Beaches - Easy access to warm beaches would be great, but not really a dealbraker. An hour or two drive from inland also works.

Within 30-40 miles of a major airport. International airport a plus. Closer to a tourist destination is a plus as well.

We like road trips so if it has a few attractions where we can drive, say within 5-6 hours, it would be great.

Standard healthcare facilities like hospital, pediatricians etc.


Or am simply too poor to get all of these?

Any responses would be appreciated.

[nightlysparrow]

You could try looking in north Ventura County (there's a separate forum here). Fits everything except the airport (about 66 miles to both LAX and Burbank Airports). Check Craigslist to get an idea of rentals; $1300. is low but may be doable.

And please don't call it Cali.

[Galaxie Girl]

Have you looked into the Inland Empire area? Corona, Riverside, Ontario, San Dimas, Redlands, etc. I believe you could afford that area and only be 45 minutes or so from the beach. I don't know that you could quite afford OC at $1300 a month.

[lrmsd]

Temecula-southern Riverside, 45 minutes from San Diego, might be an option. Not sure what type of cultural and lifestyle amenities you want, coming from Seattle, though. Temecula has a nice farmer's market and some wineries in the area, so there is some tourism. But it's not a major metro area as far as restaurants, variety of grocery stores, etc. You'll find, of course, the usual suburban suspects for shopping, movies, etc, though.

There are neighborhoods in SD where you could rent a two bedroom for 1300, but not upscale and probably older complexes in central SD [Normal Heights, North Park, Golden Hills, University Heights, Mission Hills] if you want to research those areas to get a feel for them.

Road trips are one of the great pros of living in So CAL. From Temecula or SD, you're in Vegas in 5-6 hrs, LA in under two, Mexico is a short drive if you're interested in Ensenada/Rosarito Beach/Tiajuana, Laguna Beach in OC is a great day trip, an hour or so. Malibu and Santa Barbara are a little further-3-4 hours. Snow in Big Bear, close to Temecula, 3 hours from SD. Anza Borrego desert/park is an hour from SD. SFO is about 8 hours; I've done it many times. Or go around the bay and be in Healdsburg in Sonoma's wine country in the same amount of time. Tucscon/Phoenix are 6-7 hours; great desert trip in the cooler weather (or hotter if you like warm weather. ( I've also taken a road trip to Sedona in N. AZ; a little closer to 9 hours. As you can see, if you're okay with road trips, the world is your oyster when based in So CAL (Though you do need to time your travel relative to traffic flow, or add hours to these commutes). And, of course, flights are short and plentiful to many of these same areas.

[mrazyattic]

2bedroom for $1300? Hope you don't think you'll be living it up. Good luck with that.