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Old 02-23-2016, 07:11 PM
 
31 posts, read 65,477 times
Reputation: 46

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I am a Northern California native. I've lived in the midwest for a decade or two. I did not enjoy it. My home is the Bay Area. But I can no longer afford to RENT here. Not just not buy, but now I can't even rent. It is nearly impossible to be a single female with a dog who doesn't want to live in a shoebox for 2 grand a month.

What I want is somewhere sunny (I say that because otherwise I'd go to Oregon or Arcata), where I can afford to have a human-size house/cottage/whatever with a yard for a dog, save up a little for a year until I figure things out (I work for a nonprofit and they want me to live in Oakland. Hah! Impossible. I already live in Sonoma County and that's too expensive so I currently telecommute).

I am a writer as well so I'd love to be able to make friends and meet other artists. IDEALLY I could spend time on the water (boating, swimming, kayaking enthusiast) but I may have to sacrifice one of these things I know.

Please don't say Santa Rosa/Sebastopol/Guerneville because they are wonderful but too expensive, way too expensive, and too expensive and damp.

I love Mount Shasta and thought about there, but an opportunity fell through and everything else since then has been really cruddy options.

My family says maybe Chico. Yea, sorta ok. I don't know about artsy and it doesn't seem super cheap but its a possibility, just doesn't have huge appeal but it is sunny. Davis is nice but I prefer mountains to flat, and its not really cheap, although it is cute.

Sacramento maybe but its soooo suburban and blah. I'd love somewhere with a little character. So yea, Paradise, Quincy all that, but then I doubt I'm going to make a lot of friends there, because, no offense, its a bit rednecky out there, fair play to them. Just doubt they'll like me

Grass Valley and Nevada City are possible too but nowadays honestly they're not really cheap either. I went up to Ukiah and beyond and its the same problem as inland. Very dumpy (used to be so pretty up there).

So I consider So Cal - but could I afford anything there that isn't in the Mojave desert?

Any suggestion guys? People say oh go to Santa Cruz and Laguna Beach, they're artsy! Yea, so is Sausalito and San Francisco, and equally expensive. The tech industry has eaten up Santa Cruz rentals.

Welcome any thoughts and not trying to offend anyone, just trying to find the right fit.
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Old 02-23-2016, 07:18 PM
 
Location: TOVCCA
8,452 posts, read 14,987,192 times
Reputation: 12529
Specifically say the dollar amount you can "afford."
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Old 02-23-2016, 07:40 PM
 
Location: Redding, CA
49 posts, read 82,796 times
Reputation: 90
I'm sorry to be a Debbie Downer but pretty much all the nice parts of CA are really expensive. If you can expand your outlook outside of CA I think you'd have a much better chance to find what you're looking for. Best of luck in your search!
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Old 02-23-2016, 07:58 PM
 
3,843 posts, read 4,503,730 times
Reputation: 5044
The California Coast from San Diego to San Francisco is like a mosh pit. Everyone wants to squeeze in!
Takes money to pay for admission.
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Old 02-23-2016, 08:04 PM
 
266 posts, read 332,406 times
Reputation: 243
you might be able to make it in santa maria or paso robles.
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Old 02-23-2016, 08:05 PM
 
964 posts, read 989,972 times
Reputation: 1280
If you work for an organization that has an office in Oakland, you could live in Concord and commute in. Concord is much more affordable. There are affordable rents close enough to the BART station to walk. It might not wound exciting, but the Mt Diablo area is nice for an easy escape into nature. The people employing you must be aware of the rents around Oakland. Have you discussed the problem with them, to see if they can offer some help with housing?


If you give up on the job with your current employer, Benicia has more affordable rents and is on the Carquinez Straight. Otherwise, check out Ventura, in SoCal. Mendocino has artsy, but it's not very affordable. You may not be able to get everything on your wish list for the price you need. There are 1-br. cottages in and around Santa Cruz for $1500, I don't know if that fits your budget. The competition to get them would be stiff, but if that's in your budget, you could try it.

Last edited by MountainHi; 02-23-2016 at 08:24 PM..
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Old 02-23-2016, 08:07 PM
 
Location: where the good looking people are
3,814 posts, read 3,988,712 times
Reputation: 3284
You could move to central Sacramento and probably pull it off on around 1100 $ a month for rent.

It wont be anything large or fancy. Likely a dated old building or a generic 1960's infill apartment. But doable.

Otherwise, move to Albuquerque.

You could also try the Palm Springs region.
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Old 02-23-2016, 08:27 PM
 
155 posts, read 153,245 times
Reputation: 163
Let us know what you find, im in similar boat with similar interests.. Have u considered coliving?
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Old 02-23-2016, 08:30 PM
 
9,446 posts, read 6,542,155 times
Reputation: 18898
You're about 35 years too late for California. How about Bradenton Fl.?
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Old 02-23-2016, 08:42 PM
 
4,369 posts, read 3,704,802 times
Reputation: 2479
Quote:
Originally Posted by Podo944 View Post
The California Coast from San Diego to San Francisco is like a mosh pit. Everyone wants to squeeze in!
Takes money to pay for admission.
Eureka. Crescent City. Area in between. End of debate.
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