No clue! (Santa Cruz, Truckee: renter, homes, good schools)

[southern no more]

I am looking at places to move to in CA. I have no idea where to start so I was hoping some of you could head me in the right direction. Here are the things that matter... good schools, open minds about religion, nice homes for families no higher than 350k, not too humid or hot. I think that about covers it. Oh yes, and not in the sticks. Any places come to mind? Thanks for your help!

[EscapeCalifornia]

Humidity isn't much of a problem but most parts of the state get pretty hot. What's your tolerance for heat? Under $350k, good climate, and not in the sticks is going to be a tough combination to satisfy. What are you willing to give up?

[rubyskye]

Originally Posted by southern no more

I am looking at places to move to in CA. I have no idea where to start so I was hoping some of you could head me in the right direction. Here are the things that matter... good schools, open minds about religion, nice homes for families no higher than 350k, not too humid or hot. I think that about covers it. Oh yes, and not in the sticks. Any places come to mind? Thanks for your help!

If you can swing it, come on out and explore.
California is a big state and diverse in every way that you can imagine.
I'd drive up and down or down and up the coast (avoiding southern ca. unless you're drawn there - my bias of course) and then cut across and explore the Sierra. The center of the state is hot, hot, hot in the summer. It's not humid heat but it's hot. And much of it has poor air quality.
I'm in Santa Cruz and love it but the average cost of a home in S.C. county is around 750K! ouch. I'm just a little renter .
It might be a good idea to have a feeling for what natural environment you want. That's a pretty simple way of navigating. Ocean?, mountains? (high altitude, ie; Sierra? sea-level? smaller but near the ocean), foothills of the Sierra?, desert?
If you have some feel for that, it would help narrow your search and you may get more specific feedback about particular areas in the kind of natural environment you would most like.
I love the Sierra but i'm most familiar with the Truckee/Tahoe area and it is not cheap. sigh.
Good luck in your search.

[southern no more]

Thanks for the advice! It is something I will definitly have to research. I don't know if I can stand hot, hot, hot, but I also don't make much money as a teacher so I don't know if I can afford the coast. I have actually looked into Reno NV quite a bit which would be a much cheaper alternative.

[Soccersupporter]

Originally Posted by southern no more

Thanks for the advice! It is something I will definitly have to research. I don't know if I can stand hot, hot, hot, but I also don't make much money as a teacher so I don't know if I can afford the coast. I have actually looked into Reno NV quite a bit which would be a much cheaper alternative.

If you plan on teaching in CA you had better do your homework. CA has an education crisis and is increasing class sizes, laying-off teachers and cutting back in classroom support. My daughter is a teacher and would never consider teaching in CA again, she teaches in Texas. Try to find a state that supports teachers, that would not be CA.

[rubyskye]

Originally Posted by southern no more

Thanks for the advice! It is something I will definitly have to research. I don't know if I can stand hot, hot, hot, but I also don't make much money as a teacher so I don't know if I can afford the coast. I have actually looked into Reno NV quite a bit which would be a much cheaper alternative.

Yes, i was thinking that last night while i was writing that post. Reno or surrounding towns either in CA or NV.
and Reno is less than 25 minutes from Truckee .... then your less than 5 hours from the ocean! And it's a beautiful area ... once you get through the zanyness of Reno (which i kinda like) and into CA, you're in Sierra heaven.

[Capt. Dan]

Just be careful if it is snowing on Donner Pass when you come. People get eaten up there!!!!

[DMenscha]

Originally Posted by Lt. Dan

Just be careful if it is snowing on Donner Pass when you come. People get eaten up there!!!!

LOL there hasn't been any fine dining like that for 150 years