Anyone made the move from New England to California and regreted it? (low crime, how much)

[family first]

I've posted this question in the New England Forums, but maybe I should throw it out for the West Coast. California is just wearing on me and the family and am not sure how much longer we can handle it. Has anyone out here ever lived in Maine or New Hampshire and what was the experience like? I have a family and small kids, so great schools, low crime and charming towns are all appealing. We would like to find a quaint town with 5000 or less people to research. We would like to find a home on some acreage (maybe few acres) where houses are not stacked on top of each other. A nice walkable downtown, family friendly neighborhoods, shops and a high school and hospital within maybe 20 minutes drive. Also any negatives to living back East would be helpful. Thanks.

[Charles]

I'm not sure I understand the question. Do you live in NE now and want to move to California or do you live in CA now and want to move to NE?

Anyway, two things you wrote together raised a yellow flag: small kids and acerage. You may love it but your kids will hate it. It is tough for them to just go out and play with the neighbor kids in that low of density. Also, often people who own several acre lots are retired people with no kids. Families with small kids often live in conventional, traditional neighborhoods which you sort of indicated you don't want to live in.

Scheduling playdates may sound realistic but it is often a big hassle.

Where will you be working?
What is your price range for a home?

[elousv]

I grew up in Maine and now live in CA. One of the big differences is the weather. CA, for the most part, has no weather. Maine is the very definition of weather. Skeeters too, they eat ya alive up there, hardly any here.

[family first]

Charles...live out West and want info moving East. Houses could also be 1-2 acre lots, just not on top of each other like California subdivisions. Would probably be looking in the 200-300k range. I would be concerned finding employment back there especially if applying with my CA. address. I've seen some posts where people say it's better to move there and show a "local' address when interviewing. Seems risky doing it that way!

[happ]

Your title question is confusing & the opposite of information you seek.

[TristramShandy]

If you're not originally from New England, forget "family-friendly neighborhoods". They may end up being family-friendly, but they won't become your friends. I've lived in Pennsylvania, Virginia, Rhode Island, and California, and the New Englanders (also spent a lot of time in Massachusetts) were the least friendly people of the bunch. Moving to California was a decision my wife and I never second guessed (and she was born and raised in New England).

[rainedancer1]

I currently live in Connecticut, I am from here and so is my husband but we have also lived in the west and Europe. I get bored becOurause I have lived here mostly all of my life. However I have a 1 acre lot in a subdivision where the houses are spaced apart. Houses around here cost about $225,000. We have four bedrooms and two full baths. Also our house backs up to woods so my children play with the other children in the neighborhood in there. Our town was just voted one of the number one small towns in America by MSNBC. I have had not had any problems with playgroups or making friends, also I believe if you move to New England you may be able to find a lot of an acre or two with neighbors close by.

[family first]

Tristramshandy, my better side is from Maine and I've got to admit my trips back East have been pleasant and the natives were friendly. I wonder if the sentiments you shared are universal or maybe just in the towns you lived??? I know many people out in CA. are also unfriendly and standoffish. I would like to believe relationships can be made anywhere if efforts are made. Hopefully, I not missing the boat on this.

[tigerclaws]

I moved the other way from CA to New England about 2 years ago. I think it was the worst decision of my life. I hate the cold and I mean it does get cold and I feel there is nothing much to do than breath the artificial air all winter and the summer. You are mostly stuck 6-8 months of the year indoors.

New England wears down on you very fast. One winter was enough for me.

CA has lots to do year round (if you make a decent living that is). To each his own.

[missy1999]

familyfirst, I thought the same as you a year ago. Except our children are grown so it's just my husband and I. We wanted to have land and not be so crowded. We left California a year ago and moved to Nashville. We hate it here. The country side is beautiful. But the housing here is more. We would either have to buy land with a Mobile home on it or a 30 or 40 year old home to get what we wanted. We are trying to go back to California especially now the housing bubble busted. It's now more affordable. One thing to check on before you move anywhere is housing, health ins, veh ins etc. Ours went up when we moved here. We assumed it would be cheaper. But it's not. So please don't make the same mistake we did; check out everything before you move. We've been here a year and that's all it took for us. The same houses are sitting on the market that was there a year ago. Only a few have sold. One would only go down a couple of thousand. But it's still sitting.
And to us the Californians were so much friendlier than here. I never thought I'd ever want to go back when we were leaving; but now I can't wait to go back.
Good luck to you and your family and I hope you find what your looking for. Please keep us posted.