Moving from Southern to Northern California (Modesto, Monterey: live, trees, county)

[NorthernFog]

Originally Posted by StephanieIsHere

Thank you for this input!
We will 100% check out Murphy’s!
My husband is kind of a redneck (big truck driving, beer drinking, Hank Williams listening, etc) so a town with more of an old west vibe and access to lakes and rivers for fishing would probably be a better fit for him than much of the Pacific Coast...

Redneckish, eh? There are plenty similar people in the Humboldt Bay Area in spite of its reputation for being so liberal and progressive. There is the Humboldt State University influence (felt mostly in Arcata) but there's plenty of good old boys who are drivers, workers, etc.


Another town that might feel pretty comfortable for him might be Weaverville on Hi. 299, 2 hrs. east of Arcata or one hr. west of Redding which makes it more isolated than either. Immediately north of Weaverville are the Trinity Alps and Marble Mtn. Wilderness Areas. Mt. Lassen area is an hour east of Redding.

[Dport7674]

Chico

[sean1the1]

Originally Posted by evening sun

Chico & the surrounding small towns. Worth a visit anyhow. I live in Paradise & we have too many trees easy access to the water, & plenty of hiking. Not too many good restaurants, but Chico offers more variety. About 2 hours to Sacramento airport, but there is also a shuttle.

How many trees do you have now? Didn't know you guys had access to tons of water the situation there looks very different!

[Pro1000]

Originally Posted by StephanieIsHere

I am sure you have seen this post 1000 times, but please bear with me!

I grew up in Northern Idaho and I miss the trees, lakes, and small town atmosphere. We currently reside in the Inland Empire and I feel like the traffic alone is sucking the life out of me. My husband needs to stay in the state for his job, but can go just about anywhere within, so we have decided to explore the possibility of relocating to Northern California.

My Wants: A small town feeling- I love an adorable “main” street with locally owned restaurants and shops. Family friendly- town events, farmers markets, parks, bike paths, etc. Scenery- trees and water if possible. Great schools. Safety. Not too far from an airport so family can easily visit. The ability to get around without sitting bumper to bumper for hours on end. My Husband Wants: Acreage with the possibility of a wood shop for his hobbies.

We are compiling a list of towns to explore on a road trip later this summer. So far Folsom seems to check my boxes, though land doesn’t really appear to be an option. This led us to Placerville as a possibility... I would love to get feedback on these places as well as any other suggestions you may have! We are definitely country people but I also want options for my children as they get older.

Thank you!

So you never visited El Segundo?

[Chimérique]

Originally Posted by StephanieIsHere

I am sure you have seen this post 1000 times, but please bear with me!

I grew up in Northern Idaho and I miss the trees, lakes, and small town atmosphere. We currently reside in the Inland Empire and I feel like the traffic alone is sucking the life out of me. My husband needs to stay in the state for his job, but can go just about anywhere within, so we have decided to explore the possibility of relocating to Northern California.

My Wants: A small town feeling- I love an adorable “main” street with locally owned restaurants and shops. Family friendly- town events, farmers markets, parks, bike paths, etc. Scenery- trees and water if possible. Great schools. Safety. Not too far from an airport so family can easily visit. The ability to get around without sitting bumper to bumper for hours on end. My Husband Wants: Acreage with the possibility of a wood shop for his hobbies.

We are compiling a list of towns to explore on a road trip later this summer. So far Folsom seems to check my boxes, though land doesn’t really appear to be an option. This led us to Placerville as a possibility... I would love to get feedback on these places as well as any other suggestions you may have! We are definitely country people but I also want options for my children as they get older.

Thank you!

Anything from Folsom to Pollock Pines sounds right for you (Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Cameron Park, Shingle Springs, Camino, Pollock Pines. These towns all hug Highway 50. I just came back from Apple Hill today, beautiful area, be sure to check that out. Apple Hill area is basically the area north of Highway 50 from Placerville to Pollock Pines.

Pollock Pines is the first town on the way to South Lake Tahoe where you can expected snow on the ground all winter long. From Placerville to Pollock Pines you can expect snow but it rarely lasts more than one day or two.

[sean1the1]

Originally Posted by Pro1000

So you never visited El Segundo?

El Segundo just so happens to have all those things lol especially a main street.

[DeanoSF]

Originally Posted by StephanieIsHere

Thank you for this input!
We will 100% check out Murphy’s!
My husband is kind of a redneck (big truck driving, beer drinking, Hank Williams listening, etc) so a town with more of an old west vibe and access to lakes and rivers for fishing would probably be a better fit for him than much of the Pacific Coast...

I fell in love with Murphy's on a 4th of July trip there. Great small-town atmosphere. Idyllic, really. I'd live there if I were ready to retire and slow down.

[westsaeed]

Woodland, CA

[silverkris]

Sadly, the Chico area is in the fire zone these days. I wonder what the OP has decided to do?

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by evening sun

Chico & the surrounding small towns. Worth a visit anyhow. I live in Paradise & we have too many trees easy access to the water, & plenty of hiking. Not too many good restaurants, but Chico offers more variety. About 2 hours to Sacramento airport, but there is also a shuttle.

I hope you're okay! I see you've posted within the last day, so assuming you are... but obviously this isn't going to be a place to relocate now. So sad.