Moving to Northern California (San Diego, San Francisco: homes, job market, schools)

[tpanora]

Hello--I am interested in moving to Northern California from Hurricane and Tornado Alley Florida. I am looking from Fort Bragg to Sac--and down to Antioch or even Ukiah. My sister lives in Lakeport. Love the area, but employment is very limited. A two hour drive is better than a 9 hour plane ride twice a year.

Currently work at a Dodge dealership--HR--Customer and Employee Relations have communications background with a BA in Business. I would love any suggestions--never moved across country--THANKS NORA

[damom]

Have you thought of the monterey peninsula?
I have no idea of the job market and housing is steep but its beautiful.

[tpanora]

No--thanks I will add that one on the list after I check it out.. I need to start with employment and job market research in the surrounding areas. Thanks for your suggestion

[ladyhen]

Mendocino County has major issues with pot growers. If this is something you're not comfortable with - look elsewhere. The county has legalized growing marijuana and there's a whole culture that accepts drug use. Also, many transients who choose to be homeless and camp around on private citizen's property (without permission).

[Guingirl]

You may want to also look at SAHRA.org that is the Local HR association with all the businesses located in the Sacramento Valley area. They are very active and friendly. I was associated with them a few years ago and they were lovely people.

That might give you an idea into the job market in the area.

Hope to help!!

[BENZBOY15]

Originally Posted by ladyhen

Mendocino County has major issues with pot growers. If this is something you're not comfortable with - look elsewhere. The county has legalized growing marijuana and there's a whole culture that accepts drug use. Also, many transients who choose to be homeless and camp around on private citizen's property (without permission).

Cry me a river. People smoke a lot of weed in San Francisco/Northern California, southern california and everywhere in between. I really don't see how somebody growing weed on THEIR PRIVATE LAND is going to offend you. Be happy that they're not cooking meth on their property, because then you do have a problem.

It's not just Mendocino county that has people with wink-wink attitudes
towards weed, that train of thought is everywhere in California. The majority
of the people don't care and for that matter the cops don't really care (my friend was pulled over and the cop said it smells like weed, let me see it. My friend pulls his weed out and the cops remark that the weed is of low quality and there is higher quality out there. They then gave it back to him with a warning of not letting them smell it or see them smoking again, or else they would have to FINE them.)

I've even smoked with my friends mom, that's how accepted it is in San Diego. People smoke on the beach and nobody cares!

Weed is borderline acceptable in social circles. Some areas throw open their arms and ask for the joint, others will let people mind their own buisness and some will have a stick stuck up their ass about it. But the majority don't care!
Get over it!

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by BENZBOY15

Cry me a river. People smoke a lot of weed in San Francisco/Northern California, southern california and everywhere in between. I really don't see how somebody growing weed on THEIR PRIVATE LAND is going to offend you. Be happy that they're not cooking meth on their property, because then you do have a problem.

It's not just Mendocino county that has people with wink-wink attitudes
towards weed, that train of thought is everywhere in California. The majority
of the people don't care and for that matter the cops don't really care (my friend was pulled over and the cop said it smells like weed, let me see it. My friend pulls his weed out and the cops remark that the weed is of low quality and there is higher quality out there. They then gave it back to him with a warning of not letting them smell it or see them smoking again, or else they would have to FINE them.)

I've even smoked with my friends mom, that's how accepted it is in San Diego. People smoke on the beach and nobody cares!

Weed is borderline acceptable in social circles. Some areas throw open their arms and ask for the joint, others will let people mind their own buisness and some will have a stick stuck up their ass about it. But the majority don't care!
Get over it!

As somebody who LEGALLY buys pot at a government-sponsored club, I can agree with all of the above... and I live in the San Francisco area, not Mendocino county! Did you know they've dubbed Oakland now as "Oaksterdam", since it has something like 20 legal pot clubs? Anyway, if someone is really uncomfortable with marijuana use, Northern California is probably not the place for them. As for hard drugs, we don't tolerate or accept those any more/less than a conservative state.

To answer the original question, I actually think Mendocino would be a good place to live. Another great location is Arcata/Eureka, which is another one that's infamous for it's "pot acceptance"... but that aside, it's really beautiful, affordable, people are friendly, and there should be some job opportunities. You might also look around Chico and Red Bluff, which are a bit more "woodsy", or the Lake Tahoe area. Good luck!

[newportbeachsmostwanted]

Last year, police found millions of dollars of potfields in Orange County, but I would still say the general outlook on weed is very negative(in O.C.). (Yes, it's at every teen party) ...but marijuana dispensaries get hassled a lot by local govn't and hence there are practically no dispensaries in southern/coastal OC.

Laguna Beach(full of 92% white rich liberal-wannabees) just shut down the last and only pot shop in January.

Northern California seems a lot more accepting of weed, and drugs in general.(liberal influence)

[izzy]

Valley Springs, California. My mom lives in Clear Lake...use to be called the highlands. Across the lake for Lakeport. It is about 3 hours from Valley Springs to Lakeport.

The homes are real reasonable here and we are in a small town. Sierra Foothills...gold country. Schools are great. We are about 35 minutes from Stockton, a large city. You wouldn't want to live in Stockton but they have lots of Car dealerships and a rather large job market to find work.

Izzy

[HomeAtLast]

What kind of area would you prefer (Small town/big city/country)?

Most of Northern California housing is outrageously priced. You will find more "affordable" homes in the Sacramento area...but even those are on the rise and the area isn't exactly pretty. Cloverdale might be an affordable option, near Lakeport, but you would probably need to commute to Santa Rosa.