Yet another moving to California thread (Commerce: 2013, tech jobs, buy)

[Ruth4Truth]

Lake County has rents in your range, barely ($1100 for 3 br.), but most people don't consider it a good place to raise kids, and I can't vouch for the schools, you'd have to look it up. Clear Lake and Hidden Valley Lake are mainly retirement locations, though some people do raise families there. There might be a decent school district at Hidden Valley Lake, because it's a gated community and more exclusive.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by jres

I dont expect to pay $900 in California at all. I was thinking something below $2500. Looking online and some places I checked out when I was there a few months ago, I saw plenty of 3 bedrooms under $1500 a month in Sacramento and San Diego.

As for what I am trying to escape, the first thing is crappy weather, and secondly my wife has a stalker who tried to kill her and her mother so I think going far far away is a good idea.

Very sorry to hear about that problem.

You should have said at the beginning what your rent budget was. I looked up Sac'to just before you posted, and didn't see anything quite in the $1500 range, but this really opens up your options, to say the least. Sacramento would be good. There are good schools in some of the districts. And again, the "outer" Bay Area, as previously mentioned, including Santa Rosa. You can try the Russian River towns (north of the Bay): Healdsburg, Guerneville. (Redwood country, good family towns, be sure to rent on high ground to avoid spring river flooding) Also, Humboldt County (Arcata, and suburbs)--north coast. It's rainier up there, like the Pacific Northwest, but it's a nice area if you like hiking in the redwoods. You can also afford San Diego, easily. Ask on the San Diego forum for specific neighborhoods.

You can find 3 br. places under $2500 in the inner Bay Area, in good communities with good schools, BUT: rents are very unstable all around the inner Bay, due to the tech boom, so what's affordable today probably won't be affordable next year. So you wouldn't want to get into a situation where you're forced to move. Just a cautionary note.

[lewimaech235]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

Lake County has rents in your range, barely ($1100 for 3 br.), but most people don't consider it a good place to raise kids, and I can't vouch for the schools, you'd have to look it up. Clear Lake and Hidden Valley Lake are mainly retirement locations, though some people do raise families there. There might be a decent school district at Hidden Valley Lake, because it's a gated community and more exclusive.

Use GreatSchools when research the school system.

[NinaN]

Sacramento suburbs have great schools and supports your budget. School Rankings for the Sacramento metropolitan area, California

I spend a lot more on groceries for a family of 3, but I work and don't have time to run around town looking for best prices.

[Ruth4Truth]

Petrol in CA may cost you more than you're used to, OP. It costs more to get lower emissions, plus there are more taxes than in most places.

You can look at Vallejo and Benicia, across the Carquinez straight from the rest of the East Bay. Benicia is on the straight, nice town, affordable, low crime, California's first capitol. Vallejo is much larger, some crime, check for schools. Benicia really is a great little town with a historic downtown of Victorians, and some homes on the edge of town in the foothills, with great views of the straight and a nice breeze. The bridge over the straight takes you to Concord and the BART train to the east Bay and San Francisco. Rents are well within your range.

[lewimaech235]

Originally Posted by NinaN

Sacramento suburbs have great schools and supports your budget. School Rankings for the Sacramento metropolitan area, California

I spend a lot more on groceries for a family of 3, but I work and don't have time to run around town looking for best prices.

Not looking for a house.

[JGC97]

What sort of weather would you prefer? I ask because California has different climates in varied regions.

Do you want same old thing every day? Not too hot, not too cold but rarely anything different? That would be the San Diego area.

Would you like more rain (60+ inches and more gray skies) but cooler summers (low to mid 70's)? That would be northern California coast. Fort Bragg, Mendocino, Eureka, Crescent City.

Would you like drier weather 15-25 inches of rain per year with hotter summers (sometimes over 100+ for several days in a row) but cooling down at nights, thanks to the wonderful delta breeze? That would be the area around Manteca, Tracy, Stockton, Lodi, Sacramento.

It doesn't seem that income is too much of a problem for you, although in some areas closer to the coast, that won't be enough to be comfortable. Bay area living is expensive and your income will be stretched. Staying inland a ways would be easier on the pocketbook.

As Nina stated, Sacramento is a good place to raise kids. Remember, every place in the U.S. has crime. You won't get away from it but you will find areas in the Sacramento and surrounding areas that are safe, adequate shopping, good schools and plenty of activities for your kids and the entire family. Also, living in Sacramento area will give you access to both the ocean and the mountains within a couple hours drive.

Also, California is very diverse so if you have any problems (I don't know why anyone would though) with ethnicities different than yours, you might want to rethink your options. Personally, I love the diversity of California but it's not everyone's cup of tea.

Once you decide where you'd like to live, google property management companies in that particular area to see what rents are like. They vary from very low (a good indication it's not in a good neighborhood) to moderate to very high. Many local realtors handle rental properties too but there are specific companies that do that, exclusively. Also, call the local police department. Inquire as to neighborhoods in the area that see a lot of crime or ask them if they have an online link that shows that information. Tell them you are moving to the area and have small children and don't want any unwelcome surprises about the neighborhood. There is also a couple of good sites online that show crime maps of cities in California.

You are lucky that you won't be held down to any one particular area for your job. Having that flexibility is great. You should be able to find something that works.

[lewimaech235]

Originally Posted by HereOnMars

What sort of weather would you prefer? I ask because California has different climates in varied regions.

Do you want same old thing every day? Not too hot, not too cold but rarely anything different? That would be the San Diego area.

Would you like more rain (60+ inches and more gray skies) but cooler summers (low to mid 70's)? That would be northern California coast. Fort Bragg, Mendocino, Eureka, Crescent City.

Would you like drier weather 15-25 inches of rain per year with hotter summers (sometimes over 100+ for several days in a row) but cooling down at nights, thanks to the wonderful delta breeze? That would be the area around Manteca, Tracy, Stockton, Lodi, Sacramento.

It doesn't seem that income is too much of a problem for you, although in some areas closer to the coast, that won't be enough to be comfortable. Bay area living is expensive and your income will be stretched. Staying inland a ways would be easier on the pocketbook.

As Nina stated, Sacramento is a good place to raise kids. Remember, every place in the U.S. has crime. You won't get away from it but you will find areas in the Sacramento and surrounding areas that are safe, adequate shopping, good schools and plenty of activities for your kids and the entire family. Also, living in Sacramento area will give you access to both the ocean and the mountains within a couple hours drive.

Also, California is very diverse so if you have any problems (I don't know why anyone would though) with ethnicities different than yours, you might want to rethink your options. Personally, I love the diversity of California but it's not everyone's cup of tea.

Once you decide where you'd like to live, google property management companies in that particular area to see what rents are like. They vary from very low (a good indication it's not in a good neighborhood) to moderate to very high. Many local realtors handle rental properties too but there are specific companies that do that, exclusively. Also, call the local police department. Inquire as to neighborhoods in the area that see a lot of crime or ask them if they have an online link that shows that information. Tell them you are moving to the area and have small children and don't want any unwelcome surprises about the neighborhood. There is also a couple of good sites online that show crime maps of cities in California.

You are lucky that you won't be held down to any one particular area for your job. Having that flexibility is great. You should be able to find something that works.

Definitely stay away from the coast to save money.

[mateo45]

Originally Posted by lewimaech235

Definitely stay away from the coast to save money.

Perhaps, although it's also likely that anyone savvy enough about tech to have an online biz catering to web designers, is probably gonna relate more to the local "cult-chah" on the coast, than inland.

CALIFORNIA RECOVERY: EAST VS. WEST COUNTIES

[lewimaech235]

Originally Posted by mateo45

Perhaps, although it's likely that anyone savvy enough about tech to have an online biz catering to web designers, is probably gonna relate more to the local "cultchah" on the coast, than inland.

His salary isn't that flexible.