Moving to the sonoma county area from georgia (Santa Rosa, Petaluma: low income, apartments)

[smikes]

Hi, im new to this thread stuff. Nice to meet everyone. I am a 35 yr old single dad and I am recently coming into a job opportunity in the sonoma county area of California. I reside in outskirts of atlanta at the time being and have been there for over 10yrs. If this job opportunity happens i will have to make the big move west. I have a son about 13 that will be starting high school, daughter 9 whom may come, my mom and possibly a 2yr old niece....I am trying to find out what are the ok parts of sonoma county to reside in with the family listed. I have looked at petaluma, and rhonert park. Also looked at sonoma valley high and casa grande high schools in that area. I just want a good school for my son to finish out in and a nice friendly area. I am aware at the cost of living diff from the south east and i guess prepared to handle it any which way i can. Any ideas on best areas for young kids? pet friendly?.....I have been reading a few forums but some outdated on bad parts of santa rosa and worst high schools and neighborhoods in general in the county. I have also read that the town is rich in history, art, value, and people. I have read that the people are nice and friendly and welcoming. Also what income do you think is good to be financially stable in the sonoma county area given the cost of living diff from georgia? I know we will probably have to live in a smaller bedroom for now house or apartment. Any and all advice would be so helpful on high schools, elementary schools, job market, family friendly, pet friendly, social living, things for kids....ect..... Would be a big move for myself as I have never really made one this big before. Thank you for reading this thread and have a blessed day.

[TheGoodUsernamesWereTaken]

Heck, as a native Californian considering LA, GA, and NC, I don't see why you would want to do it! Admittedly I didn't read the full OP, but as a native Califorian seriously considering moving out, I think all considering migrants should think twice about the financial sacrifice.

[AlongTheI-5]

I would ignore the typical right wing knee jerk reaction and consider your move to California. Contrary to what the right wing thinks, one size does not fit all.

[Hypersion]

What's your income or down payment you will bring with you?

[zx636]

Originally Posted by TheGoodUsernamesWereTaken

Heck, as a native Californian considering LA, GA, and NC, I don't see why you would want to do it! Admittedly I didn't read the full OP, but as a native Califorian seriously considering moving out, I think all considering migrants should think twice about the financial sacrifice.

Indeed.

If all my family who I care about wasn't here i'd have moved a while ago.

[smikes]

income i would be making there would be about 70k to 80k...no less that 68k/yr

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

That income will probably be a stretch. I've been looking at the same area for low income senior apartments. I've lived all over northern CA, but not in that area. Have traveled through it a lot.

One town that stuck out as being a nice, safe town is Windsor, north of Santa Rosa. It also is in a decent location for traveling into Santa Rosa and has decent amenities in town.

My opinion of Sonoma was that it would be too remote for me, as most of the shopping and medical services I would need would be 30 minutes or so away in Santa Rosa.

Rohnert Park looked fine to me. It's just a suburb, but I liked it.

You can check the schools out on GreatSchools - Public and Private School Ratings, Reviews and Parent Community

My feedback is just based on my research of towns in that area that have nice low-income senior complexes. For what it's worth. Santa Rosa proper has nice and not-so-nice areas. It just had more traffic than I wanted to deal with.

[Veronicka]

I live in Sonoma county and there is housing that is not astronomical. Sonoma County is a bit far from the City and not so expensive. The cost of living isn't quite as high. You have to look in the right place.

I know of rentals that are quite reasonable but they aren't advertised. They are usually rented before they are advertised. These would be private rentals. I am not saying you will find that, but it is possible.

We lived in an unincorporated area that had an excellent school district. I don't know what the schools are like anywhere else except the areas to avoid, must be avoided.

[eureka1]

SFHs there are going for $500K. Even in Santa Rosa.

[ecvMatt]

I live in Petaluma, it's a great little town. PM me if you have any questions. My house will be on the the market soon of you're looking to buy....