Where to move in Cali - near national parks... (San Diego: neighborhoods, school district)

[Ilovepahrump]

I've visited 7 of California's National Parks (out of 9), and none of those areas seem to fit what you are looking for based on my experience. My first thought was something like Bend, OR.

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by Ilovepahrump

I've visited 7 of California's National Parks (out of 9), and none of those areas seem to fit what you are looking for based on my experience. My first thought was something like Bend, OR.

Good suggestion. When I want lots of greenery in the scenery, I head to Oregon. The Ashland-Jacksonville Oregon area might also work, with Crater Lake National Park close by. Maybe Portland, OR, with the Columbia River Gorge and all of its waterfalls and the Oregon Coast nearby. Or, Olympia, Washington or Seattle, with the lush, green Olympia National Park (and Ranier National Park too).


Hmmm....maybe they need to start their road trip in Seattle and work their way down to San Diego.

[Chimérique]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

I'd let go of the National Park or bust idea. California has amazing state parks and BLM open space (you mentioned "El Dorado" as a National Park. It's not; it's a National Forrest managed by the BLM). There are also beautiful county and city parks with trails and mountain biking throughout the state, so it's not necessary to live in Yosemite's back yard to have easy access to outdoor activities and beautiful scenery here.

Trust me: it's impossible to get bored with the outdoors in California, even if you don't live next to a National Park.

.

I agree I was just up in Humboldt Redwoods State Park, and Shelter Cove. Plenty of great areas beside the National Parks. BLM manages much of the Redwood Country.

Some suggestions:

Fly to Sacramento Int'l (SMF)

Go northwest: to I-5 to Highway 20. Clear Lake Area to 101.
Think the Eel River and/or Highway 101 from Ukiah up to Fortuna. This Redwood Country.

Go northeast: I-80 to Highway 49 Auburn to Placerville. or further to Highway 20 and Nevada City.

[CAjerseychick]

Originally Posted by Cuda1337

My wife and I are considering moving to a number of places. I am trying to do my due diligence and would feel like I'm making a huge mistake if I don't give California fair consideration.

Here is the important stuff:

Early 30's, currently living in Florida. Wife is a teacher, my line of work I should be able to find near any major population center (so all of California, lol).

We love nature. This is our primary reason for moving. We love day hikes, road biking and some easy flowing mountain biking. We also would like to have some kayaking spots nearby. Beaches aren't of huge importance to us, as we've been there done that to death.

We want space. As such, we realize we will probably have to little a little ways outside of a suburb. That's fine. Ideally we'd get 5+ acres of land. We will then build a house, or if we find the right house we'd consider buying. Budgets are hard to figure, as I'm still trying to wrap my head around cost of living changes. If I had to guess, I'd say less than 700k, possibly a decent amount less. House size doesn't need to be anything crazy. ~2500 sq ft.


As far as our weekend adventures, we have dogs, so long trips to parks 3 hours away isn't feasible. I'd like to have at least one really good National Park within an hours drive. And Other greenery, road biking, small parks within 30 minutes.

I'd also like to be ~ 30 minutes drive to work. Longer than that could be acceptable if everything else was great.


The city itself needs to be safe and at least somewhat affluent. We want space, but we don't want to live in some poor country area where no one goes. We'd also like a decent little down town, something walkable and quaint. I'm not a huge fan of traffic, but I think I may have to get over that problem no matter where I go in California?


My wife is concerned about Earthquakes, so if the place isn't ON a fault line, that would be nice too I have a feeling the Earthquake conversation is going to be a problem at some point in time if we find a nice place in Cali, but we'll cross that bridge when we get there.

Oh!!! One last important thing. My wife likes green, not brown. So I've been looking at northern California, assuming it's more green up there. But our property needs to have some beauty to it. Green, rolling hills, interesting rock formations, whatever. It just can't be a brown, flat dessert area. She won't go for that.


Thanks in advance for any help you guys can give!

Grass Valley, Nevada City (thats alittle further up but much prettier)- cute niche town/ great downtowns, scenic and theres a lot of what you mentioned as being important to do- the Yuba River is one of the most scenic (and accessible while maintaining its privacy, you can go and find a spot all to yourself many a day) Rivers around...(in fact the Yuba River State Park is nearby, as well as the Tahoe National Forest)
You will definitely find 5 beautiful acres... and a house for under $700,000.
Great for people who love hiking, taking their pooches on hikes, and other outdoor adventures(we are dog people)...
in fact I do believe Nevada City was rated "best place to live in the US by Outdoor Magazine a few years back)...

[boulder2015]

Originally Posted by mysticaltyger

Cali is a city in Colombia.

Please refer to us as CA (the postal abbreviation) or California. No one refers to your state of Florida, as Flori, do they?

Sorry op, there's two, forgot about mystical. Oh, and there is no song called "going back to flori" like there is with CALI. Check out mystical and dublins posting histories for a sense of their credibility and intelligence. And call it whatever you like.

[cBach]

Originally Posted by boulder2015

Sorry op, there's two, forgot about mystical. Oh, and there is no song called "going back to flori" like there is with CALI. Check out mystical and dublins posting histories for a sense of their credibility and intelligence. And call it whatever you like.

There is a band called FloRida though...

[Cuda1337]

Don't worry guys. I'm ignoring the idiots complaining about what I call Cali. Does it REALLY bother you that much if I call it Cali? If so... hahahahahaahahahahhaahah... that's sad.

Anyways, back to the topic.

I appreciate all the conversation and suggestions. Nevada City (and nearby areas) are the ones that have stuck out to me the most. I've read many good things about those areas. I'm trying to decide whether my next trip is to Cali (ahahah) or Colorado right now.

[tehsquishmeister]

Have a look at Boulder Creek. It's just outside silicon valley and is home to Big Basin state park.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by boulder2015

Sorry op, there's two, forgot about mystical. Oh, and there is no song called "going back to flori" like there is with CALI. Check out mystical and dublins posting histories for a sense of their credibility and intelligence. And call it whatever you like.

And if we look at your posting history, we can see a history of trolling.

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by Cuda1337

Don't worry guys. I'm ignoring the idiots complaining about what I call Cali. Does it REALLY bother you that much if I call it Cali? If so... hahahahahaahahahahhaahah... that's sad.

I don't get upset when people use "Cali." But I immediately know they're probably either tourists, fresh off the boat in California, or an 18-year-old trying to sound cool.

Feel free to use Cali if you'd prefer, but keep that in mind when you do.

Also, there's no need to be rude to people who point out that most long term residents of California over age 25 or so don't use "Cali". They're just trying to help you fit in. I don't know about you but as a general rule, I don't laugh at or make fun of people trying to help me, even if I disagree with them.

I'm sure there will soon be a post calling me an old fogey (or maybe an idiot) for saying this, but so be it.

Good luck with your move.