Tuolumne County/Calavaras County (Modesto, Manteca: homes, employment, to buy)

[outasightoutamind]

Can anyone direct me to a site/sites that would have the best information about the above counties and the cities within them?
My husband a native Californian is itching to move back to his home. Originally from Manteca/Modesto these area's though close to his heart are WAY to big for him now. We are both in our mid/late 40's. Right this very minute he is in Yosemite National Park knee deep in the forrest and happy as a clam I might add.
We are looking into Sonora/Twain Harte. Wanting to ease into something, not buy right away. We are just 2 so there is not need for a large living space. We do like to build furniture, adirondack chairs, ottomans, table and such for the heck of it and would like some place to do this at. Have own wood working materials and tools.
We of course are not nieve about things. I have looked into Sonora newspaper and seen the rents and the employment ads. Not really worried about what I am going to do. Doesnt matter. We are on the southeast coast and things are way expensive here, probably the same as in California but I know that there are places that wont break the bank. And I am looking to getting out of no seasonal changes. I havent had snow for xmas, leaves falling in autumn for 8 years and we are tired of it.
Enough rambling, thank you for the information and the time.

[DMenscha]

Hiya,

try these websites

www.gocalaveras.com

www.calaverasenterprise.com

www.mymotherlode.com

www.tcchamber.com

www.tuolumnecounty.com

Both counties are very nice places to live (I've lived in both of them) TC is a bit more developed than CC and has a lot more retail opportunities. CC is more laid back. I have a friend who makes rustic furniture here in CC.

I could on for hours and bore the rest of the forum, but if you want more details give me a PM and I'll be happy to provide info about both sides of the river. BTW in spite of what I do for a living, I'm just a chamber of commerce type that's interested in my area.

[thirtyish]

I also have lived in both counties. Calaveras will get less snow than Tuolumne unless you move to Arnold-Avery area. Murphys is still quaint with a revitalized downtown area. Tuolumne would be closer to your husband's hometown area. The outskirts of Jamestown in TC is rural yet close to Sonora and just an hours drive or less to Modesto for more shopping opportunities. You may find Strawberry, Pinecrest, and Columbia lovely. Columbia also boasts a wondrful community college with a great variety of classes you could take to enjoy a past time or start a new one. TC has more dining and some wonderful theater groups.
Hope this helps.

[njpipik]

Sonora is much closer to Modesto and the town is very adorable with a lot of community activity, the price of homes in Tuolumne is going to go up because of Black Oak Casino, they are going to be building a golf course soon. Arnold gets a pretty good amount of snow! Twain Harte is a good place to live, easy way to buy here with cheaper homes, yet I don't know what there is really to do up there, I just visit in-laws in the area.

[ferretkona]

I like Tuolumne County a bit better. More to do, a lot of folk music going on. We have a lot of family working at the casino, if we were still there we would probably be working there as well. With the new bypass it is a bit confusing to drive up 108 right now, since we are on and off it so much.