NEED ADVICE: Looking to relocate from Indiana to Northern California

[rkb0305]

Originally Posted by kettlepot

DO NOT UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES MOVE TO THE CENTRAL VALLEY OF CALIFORNIA!!!! (Redding, Corning, Orland, Yuba City, Davis, Sacramento, Stockton, Modesto, Merced, Visalia, Fresno, Bakersfield)

These areas have some of the worst concentrations of allergens in the country in the spring and fall. You have the combination of a large agricultural economy in conjunction with stagnant air that has no escape route. It is HELL ON EARTH in regards to allergies. The itching can be so bad you will literally rub your eyes until a blister forms on the surface of your eyeball.



Scorching hot summers, but the humidity is quite low. No allergy problems in the summertime as everything dries up to a crispy, tinder dry brown.



Actually much of the Central Valley fits the bill if you live close enough to the mountains. Lots of reservoirs in California that allow for a lot of boating. Maybe if you don't live in the Valley itself, but in some of the foothill communities it might be okay.



I was going to suggest the Sierra foothills outside of Sacramento, but it looks like that is too far south. The higher elevations outside of Redding might do the trick, but it will be a fine line between being high enough to avoid the 100+ summer temperatures (though really it IS a dry heat) and low enough to avoid the 10 foot snow pack.

Also, there are no jobs in Northern California, and unless you are in medical, there never will be. Unemployment is currently in the 15% range, and typically runs 5% above the national average. Wages hug the California minimum, however, that is about $8/hr.

First you tell him not to move to the Central Valley for any reason because of the severe allergies; Then you tell him the Central Valley is a good location for his other wants/needs. I have to agree about the allergy thing. We used to live in Fresno, and my husband's allergies were a year-around problem. We now live in Denver, and that is not the case.

[kettlepot]

Originally Posted by rkb0305

First you tell him not to move to the Central Valley for any reason because of the severe allergies; Then you tell him the Central Valley is a good location for his other wants/needs. I have to agree about the allergy thing. We used to live in Fresno, and my husband's allergies were a year-around problem. We now live in Denver, and that is not the case.

I was suggesting the foothills off of the valley floor as an alternative to the Valley itself. I consider the foothills to be 'different' from the valley. The foothills will get you away from the heaviest concentrations of agricultural related allergies, (hay, alfalfa, tree crops), and the colder temperatures will provide summertime heat relief. Also, the elevation will bring proximity to reservoirs with access to boating.