Moving from So. Cal to No. Cal (San Francisco, Sacramento: real estate, homes)

[outaPA]

I don't understand, why wouldn't people looking to migrate out of Southern California (for all the posted reasons) consider moving to Northern California? It would seem to me that you all wouldn't be dealing with a culture shock like you would moving to other states. The climate is still pleasant and ageeable, and it appears the cost of living is fairly reasonable. From reading the posts of numerous states, it looks like Southern Californians are fanning out all over the country looking for a decent place to live and most appear to feel as if there is really no place like home.

[outaPA]

You see, I am giving consideration to moving to Northern California (from Pennsylvania) and am wondering if there are some negative reasons why I should not. I realize the San Francisco bay area is expensive too, but north and east of there are not as expensive, right?

[Rafter]

outaPA - First of all, I encourage you to move Nor-Cal. Like you, I was once
outaPA. My first move in 1977 from Pa, was to northern Ca. (Tahoe Area).
This was not much of a culture shock, being alot similar to where I grew up
(Jefferson County).I lived there about 8 yrs & explored the surrounding area as much as possible. If and when I relocate again it will be to that same area,
but maybe more towards the foothills near Placerville. It is nothing like southern cal . I live here now, basic reason being economics. I missed the the
slower pace of life there & access to the great outdoors. i.e. hunting, fishing
hikeing etc. Hope this is some help.

[outaPA]

Thanks for your reply, Rafter.

What would be some of the more subtle differences between Southern and Northern California? (Not including the obvious of demographics and temperature.)

[johosofat]

Hey OutaPA! I have lived in both No and So CA where I live now. And my husband came from PA. There are a few less obvious differences... No Ca is kindof divided into different flavors. SF area is well known, easy to research, and VERY expensive. The coastal range runs parallel with the coast line and kindof the terrain of the state n & s. Then there is the Sierra Nevada mountain range more east than that, running n & S. Between the 2 ranges is known as the 'central valley.' With each of these 'barriers' to the ocean brings changes. The cost of living goes down as you move east. The heat goes up as you move east. Sometimes WAY up. The 'trendiness' of the areas go down as you move east, if that is important. Except for special pockets of interest(eg. Tahoe, Yosemite, etc.)
The area no. of SF is beautiful pretty much from coast to e border but very different from West to East. While SF is metro, trendy, tolerant, and liberal...(as in the no. coastline to Eureka) the areas e of the Sierras is very western still. In that I mean, very independent, isolated and happy to be that way. Not a negative at all, just a different feel. The central valley and Sacramento area feels more midwest to me due to the size of the towns, the spacing between them, and the agri-base of the economy. I was raised in the midwest and know that feel. So I guess I am saying there are many Calif. to choose from. I further research is wanted, I found this paper interesting for a not so typical point of view. http://www.wrcc.dri.edu/narratives/CALIFORNIA.htm

[Steve97415]

Originally Posted by outaPA

I don't understand, why wouldn't people looking to migrate out of Southern California (for all the posted reasons) consider moving to Northern California? It would seem to me that you all wouldn't be dealing with a culture shock like you would moving to other states. The climate is still pleasant and ageeable, and it appears the cost of living is fairly reasonable. From reading the posts of numerous states, it looks like Southern Californians are fanning out all over the country looking for a decent place to live and most appear to feel as if there is really no place like home.

There are a lot of "northern Californias": Bay Area, Sacramento, Humboldt Bay and the north Coast, the wine country, Shasta country...
Not sure which one would lead you to the conclusion that "it appears the cost of living is fairly reasonable". West of the Coast Range, there isn't any refuge from absurd real estate prices and taxes until you get up almost to Del Norte County. Starter homes go for a half-million. If anything, average prices in southern California might be a bit lower. I think that there was a day when you could get financial relief by moving further north in the state, but it's long gone.

[AubreyJo]

We made the transition from Southern to Northern CA. We moved to a small tranquil little town in Siskiyou County... The problem is jobs.
Other than that, it is paradise (haha).

We were thinking of moving to PA, but it's so far away, we probably never will.

[diana k yocum]

chico is a great town! ask for marty leatherman(century 21) and tell him ernie (bigern) sent you...of course if you head that way. look up city info

[CurtSandberg]

I have been toying with the idea of moving into the area around Eureka, CA. I subscribed to the local online newspaper to get the flavor of the area -- you might do the same and gather your own opinions. The major reason I am looking at that area is because of cooler weather , closeness to the ocean , and am thinking about where I want to retire . I would like to be able to play tennis to stay fit and to join a bridge club .

Best of luck in your search...

[Michaels]

Anyplace near the ocean tends to be expensive.
Anyplace in the central valley is way hot in the summer (no ocean breezes)
and may be too podunky, or in transition therefrom.
Anyplace in the mountains is beautiful, but like someone
said, employment is a problem. It's the same state, but a different state
of mind!