My early retirement location list (a work in progress)

[thomasw98]

Originally Posted by RandalR

Your items A and B cancel each other out. You don't get both of those things in California for less than $750K.

I was wondering when someone was going to point this out!

[thomasw98]

Originally Posted by elcapitan

Out of your list, I have lived in San Luis Obispo, Santa Rosa, and currently live in Eugene. We must have similar tastes!

San Luis Obispo:
Pros- Pretty area, nice beaches that are close, perfect weather, safe, good college (Cal Poly)
Cons- Very isolated from larger cities, jobs pay very poorly, everyone seems to be either retired or in college

Santa Rosa:
Pros- Beautiful outlying areas, perfect weather, close to SF entertainment, close to wine country, semi-close to beaches
Cons- Doesn't feel like a college town like your other choices, the part of town you live in makes a huge impact regarding crime and gangs, traffic

Eugene:
Pros- Beautiful area, college town vibe, green, decent restaurants & arts for size of town, spectacular (but short) summers, most affordable real estate (perhaps similar to Chico?)
Cons- Isolated, can be very gray for extended periods of time, very high property crime because lack of law enforcement funding, small minded Oregonians can be hard to deal with at times

With that said, I'm moving back to Santa Rosa. It seems to offer a balanced variety of all the things I enjoy. It also has the best employment prospects, since I have a long time before retirement. All the towns you listed are worth checking out though.

Great input. Like the Pros/Cons format. Thanks!

[LB100]

I know someone brought up the sewer in Los Osos as a negative. I guess it's how you look at it. The sewer is officially in the hands of the county and state, so it's no longer if... they are even starting to put the assessment on property taxes starting next year. The sewer will happen, and I would definitely want to buy before the sewer, as prices will most likely go up once it's done.

But, I also love Los Osos for everything that it is... quirky, quiet, safe, close to SLO with a great neighborhood feel. I'm mid 30's, so don't view it through the eyes of a retireee, yet.

The weather may be your main issue, as it tends to get more fog than other areas, but I personally like it that way!

[Lightspeed]

Have you looked at Reno? Meets most of your criteria, depending how strictly you define them. It's cold in the winter-- 30-40F days, but not NW Montana cold. It's hot in the summer (low 90's, sunny, but dry) but it's not 115F like Las Vegas or Phoenix. You can get a 2 BR, 2 B house for 300K, but it will be in cookie-cutter suburbia, but there are pockets of nicer hoods with character. There is a University here. Close to a lot of water/mountain winter and summer recreation. Healthcare for bread and butter illnesses is excellent, easy access to tertiary care (SF) if you get diagnosed with a zebra. Local schools vary from area to area, but overall are excellent. Great hub location for the west-- I visit San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, and LA a lot. Salt Lake City, Phoenix, and Las Vegas are non-stop filghts too. As far as culture.... well, in my opinion it is Reno's weak spot, but it is improving. A lot of ex-Northern Californians here, for better or worse, depending what culture you like. Not sure if Reno is for you, but may be worth a look. Good Luck.

[thomasw98]

Originally Posted by Lightspeed

Have you looked at Reno? Meets most of your criteria, depending how strictly you define them. It's cold in the winter-- 30-40F days, but not NW Montana cold. It's hot in the summer (low 90's, sunny, but dry) but it's not 115F like Las Vegas or Phoenix. You can get a 2 BR, 2 B house for 300K, but it will be in cookie-cutter suburbia, but there are pockets of nicer hoods with character. There is a University here. Close to a lot of water/mountain winter and summer recreation. Healthcare for bread and butter illnesses is excellent, easy access to tertiary care (SF) if you get diagnosed with a zebra. Local schools vary from area to area, but overall are excellent. Great hub location for the west-- I visit San Francisco, Seattle, Portland, and LA a lot. Salt Lake City, Phoenix, and Las Vegas are non-stop filghts too. As far as culture.... well, in my opinion it is Reno's weak spot, but it is improving. A lot of ex-Northern Californians here, for better or worse, depending what culture you like. Not sure if Reno is for you, but may be worth a look. Good Luck.

I had not considered it at all, so thanks for the suggestion. The whole "gambling thing" sort of scares me, but maybe that is just my preconception. I'll do some more research on it. Thanks!

[Lightspeed]

Originally Posted by thomasw98

...The whole "gambling thing" sort of scares me, but maybe that is just my preconception. I'll do some more research on it. Thanks!

Gambling is part of the industry here.... but for most of those not involved in it professionally, it just is not part of our lives, except occasionally walking into a hotel-casino to go to restaurant, but one could really live here and never go into one. We really enjoy raising our kids (8+9) here, and live in a very family oriented communitiy in Reno.

[CA central coast]

Originally Posted by thomasw98

Atascadero: Quite a lot of negative feedback about Atascadero on this website. Probably will need to take a look for myself.

Los Osos: I read that there are serious sewage system problems there which make it unwise to purchase a house (like I plan to do) at this time.

Montana de Oro: I had never heard of this before, but now I see it is a state park located just south of Los Osos and next to the ocean. Sounds nice! Will definitely take a look when I visit!

Negative feedback on Atascadero? It doesn't have a "downtown" to speak of, but the city is unique among SLO County cities. The neighborhoods have a definite country feel. Rolling hills, dotted with oak trees everywhere, good sized lots. It's a beautiful town. You have to get off the main drag and spent some time driving around the city, it's spread out. It's unlike any other city in the county. Cambria has the same feel, with its pine trees. But I think Atascadero is really unique. I would say for coastal property right now, Los Osos is a bargain. Sewer or no sewer. The bottom line is you would have a piece of property right next to the pacific ocean in one of the most beautiful parts of the state. That will always be worth something. After the sewer is over and done you probably won't be able to touch this place.

[the city]

Atascadero is close to hitting bankruptcy. dont move there. there only answer is getting a super wal-mart strip mall. that should say it all about that rural city.

Paso Robles
Atascadero
Templeton

San Luis Obispo
Pismo Beach
Arroyo Grande

Paso Robles is an up and coming rural city, but it wont be until 10 years that its really booming. San Luis Obispo is booming, and will be at it's peak in 2020.

I would look into Paso Robles for yourself. Orcutt or Nipomo seem like good choices for you too. There both next to Santa Maria, and Santa Maria has fun stuff to do.

[CA central coast]

Originally Posted by the city

Atascadero is close to hitting bankruptcy. dont move there. there only answer is getting a super wal-mart strip mall. that should say it all about that rural city.

Paso Robles
Atascadero
Templeton

San Luis Obispo
Pismo Beach
Arroyo Grande

Paso Robles is an up and coming rural city, but it wont be until 10 years that its really booming. San Luis Obispo is booming, and will be at it's peak in 2020.

I would look into Paso Robles for yourself. Orcutt or Nipomo seem like good choices for you too. There both next to Santa Maria, and Santa Maria has fun stuff to do.

WAL-MART? whatever. Atascadero is still a great place to live.

[CA central coast]

Originally Posted by the city

Atascadero is close to hitting bankruptcy. dont move there. there only answer is getting a super wal-mart strip mall. that should say it all about that rural city.

Paso Robles
Atascadero
Templeton

San Luis Obispo
Pismo Beach
Arroyo Grande

Paso Robles is an up and coming rural city, but it wont be until 10 years that its really booming. San Luis Obispo is booming, and will be at it's peak in 2020.

I would look into Paso Robles for yourself. Orcutt or Nipomo seem like good choices for you too. There both next to Santa Maria, and Santa Maria has fun stuff to do.

Another thing. Atascadero IS the most "rural" city around. Drive the neighborhoods. Tell me another city like it?