Best for retirement? NoCal or Central Cal? (Santa Maria, Eureka: new home, buy)

[Dean Trails]

Which would be the best retirement town?

Does Arroyo Grande on the Central Coast have superior quality of life compared to Healdsburg in Northern California?

What is the water situation in both towns now that California is in a drought alert?

I know both probably lack retail goodness but can that be made up by fresh air and open spaces?

Any thoughts?

[humboldtrat]

As for water, Healdsburg tends to be a little more greener and gets more rain during the winter months and I think it would be less of a problem than on the central coast.

[ferretkona]

You know that CA is always in a drought. Best to find a town that calls to you than worry over water or trash issues. My wife and I love music over all else and are retiring to a county with a great bluegrass culture.

[Dean Trails]

You know that CA is always in a drought. Best to find a town that calls to you than worry over water or trash issues. My wife and I love music over all else and are retiring to a county with a great bluegrass culture.

And, where would this bluegrass culture be, if I may ask?

[krudmonk]

NoCal? Is that outside of California, as in lacking some Cal?

[ferretkona]

Originally Posted by Dean Trails

And, where would this bluegrass culture be, if I may ask?

Grass Valley in Nevada County

[sbfk]

nor cal buddy... NOR-CAL

[TheDragonslayer]

Humboldt county has blue grass festivals and our grass is really green due to the abundant rainfall. It is great for retirement, if you do not need a job. A good new, 3 bed home can be had for right around $300,000, larger homes with either ocean views or access go for about $600,000 and up. We have an ocean view and our place is 3 bed, 3 bath on half an acre and would probably sell around $350,000 or more, if we were interested in selling. Right now our gas prices are fairly low at $2.49 at costco for regular. I tried to get my sister and brothers to check it out up here about 6 years ago when one could buy a nice new home for well under $200,000. They were not ready yet.

[Dean Trails]

Thanks for the info Dragonslayer,

Humboldt county does sound attractive but, do you have adequate health care? That is a prime consideration for a retirement spot.

[robertpolyglot]

Originally Posted by ferretkona

Grass Valley in Nevada County

What is Central California? Central Coastal (SLO, Santa Maria, Paso Robles) or Central Valley? Big, big difference.

Grass Valley is a "cute" enough town, but there are a lot of burn-outs. I've had coffee numerous times at "The Flour Garden" off Brunswick Rd. when visiting...it almost makes me feel like a dyed-in-the-wool Republican, which I am not. It's much greener than Auburn, some 25 miles to the south of it. It's studded in Ponderosa pine and very green.

Next door Nevada City...LOL. Everybody there seems to be a Gen-Y trust brat trying to "do theater" and working at a restaurant/coffeehouse in the meantime.

Nice places...but weird places. I think Humboldt County may be very nice and its county seat, Eureka, must have the standard health care amenities. Now, if a mountain lion pounces on you while taking your morning stroll, as it did on that poor unsuspecting retired couple over a year ago, then you may have to get airlifted out for better medical care. For routine stuff, any Humboldt, Mendocino or Del Norte town should be ok...and very beautiful places to live.