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Old 04-19-2007, 06:27 PM
 
8 posts, read 36,634 times
Reputation: 11

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Hi Everyone,
My name is Mary (www.CenterStageFigures.com)
I currently live in Maryland, via my home town of Seattle. I want to move back to west cost. Most of my family lives in San Diego but I am more of a North cali kinda girl. I visited Monetary last year and love it! If I could have a house in the Big Sur area I would die happy. Looking at the prices it is hard for me to stomach 700k for a 2 bedroom condo.

Here is where I need your help:
I am looking for a area that has view of big pines, mountains and the sea. Similar to Seattle or Big Sur. I am a laid back/flip flop wearing kind of chick. I am looking for a "The west Cost attitude" and the views like big Sur, without paying more then 400-600K for a single family home.

Can anyone suggest towns/cities I may visit to check out the area. I would like to leave DC in the next 2-3 years max.

Thank You in Advance,
Mary

Last edited by BellaBell; 04-19-2007 at 07:16 PM..
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Old 04-20-2007, 06:18 AM
 
159 posts, read 808,184 times
Reputation: 68
I love Fort Bragg and the Mendocino area.. very laid back but
still expensive. Further up North is Eureka and Arcata. I've
heard Arcata is a very laid back town with lots of college kids
and progressive thinking. I haven't been there but I do know it's
more affordable than other coastal area's of California and seems to
fit what you are looking for as a possibility.
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Old 04-20-2007, 11:19 AM
 
Location: Happiness is found inside your smile :)
3,176 posts, read 14,663,398 times
Reputation: 1313
The question is - will you need to work in that town too

If you don't need to go somewhere for work - this is easily find -able
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Old 04-20-2007, 10:31 PM
 
67 posts, read 270,746 times
Reputation: 39
Look up Bodega Bay. This is the town that was featured in the Hitchcock movie, "The Birds". Though I'm leaving California for good in a week, I want to say that you will probably like it here. Good luck.
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Old 04-21-2007, 04:00 PM
 
Location: In the Redwoods
30,286 posts, read 51,756,097 times
Reputation: 23658
Quote:
Originally Posted by lexi View Post
I love Fort Bragg and the Mendocino area.. very laid back but
still expensive. Further up North is Eureka and Arcata. I've
heard Arcata is a very laid back town with lots of college kids
and progressive thinking. I haven't been there but I do know it's
more affordable than other coastal area's of California and seems to
fit what you are looking for as a possibility.
I second the above suggestions... it's great up in those areas! But as CityGirl mentioned, it depends on whether you'll be looking for work - because these towns don't have great job markets. Others I'd suggest are San Luis Obispo (a little pricey, but they have some cheaper outlying towns), Petaluma, Half Moon Bay, and Santa Cruz.
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Old 04-23-2007, 08:06 AM
 
8 posts, read 36,634 times
Reputation: 11
Thank you for the feed back. I have been looking into the areas via web site links. I will have to work, I am a Social Worker mainly with Children and Families. I also want to open a Doggy Day Care and Spa. Here in DC I own a Fitness biz and a Day Spa. I will sell both before heading to CA. Hope to be able to live off the Doggy Day Care/Spa but if not I have Social Work to fall back on. My friend mentioned Pismo Beach and my Dad mentioned Santa Cruz as well. I hope I will just know when I visit the areas mentioned.
Mary
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Old 08-30-2007, 10:23 PM
 
8 posts, read 36,634 times
Reputation: 11
I have moved up my plans to leave DC! I plan to be in CA by next fall. I will come to CA this winter to look at the towns named, if anyone else has other towns they would suggest please let me know, as I am mapping out my plans. Can't wait to leave DC and the rat race behind. Thank you in advance, Mary
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Old 10-06-2007, 06:53 AM
 
Location: San Francisco
85 posts, read 245,801 times
Reputation: 23
Quote:
Originally Posted by BellaBell View Post
Hi Everyone,
My name is Mary (Home | Center Stage Figures)
I currently live in Maryland, via my home town of Seattle. I want to move back to west cost. Most of my family lives in San Diego but I am more of a North cali kinda girl. I visited Monetary last year and love it! If I could have a house in the Big Sur area I would die happy. Looking at the prices it is hard for me to stomach 700k for a 2 bedroom condo.

Here is where I need your help:
I am looking for a area that has view of big pines, mountains and the sea. Similar to Seattle or Big Sur. I am a laid back/flip flop wearing kind of chick. I am looking for a "The west Cost attitude" and the views like big Sur, without paying more then 400-600K for a single family home.

Can anyone suggest towns/cities I may visit to check out the area. I would like to leave DC in the next 2-3 years max.

Thank You in Advance,
Mary
Santa Cruz (for the flip-flop lifestyle) or Pacific Grove (close beach access with good tree lined homes) are good locals. Also may want to consider HWY 68 in between Salinas and Monterey...plenty of great homes in the mountains for maximum privacy but yet close enough to drive to the beach.
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Old 10-06-2007, 10:12 AM
 
5,323 posts, read 18,207,445 times
Reputation: 3850
Quote:
Originally Posted by BellaBell View Post
Thank you for the feed back. I have been looking into the areas via web site links. I will have to work, I am a Social Worker mainly with Children and Families. I also want to open a Doggy Day Care and Spa. Here in DC I own a Fitness biz and a Day Spa. I will sell both before heading to CA. Hope to be able to live off the Doggy Day Care/Spa but if not I have Social Work to fall back on. My friend mentioned Pismo Beach and my Dad mentioned Santa Cruz as well. I hope I will just know when I visit the areas mentioned.
Mary
When looking at the towns you consider, check out the doggy daycares and boarding facilities in regards to their length of time and any growth in their business(es) since they've opened their doors. You might want to seek out a town without that service. I work for a pet care facility in Idaho and with the doors being opened for 10 years, we're in the final process of the third expansion. This is a rural, yet turning type community and no formal advertising whatsoever
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Old 10-07-2007, 11:23 AM
 
8 posts, read 36,634 times
Reputation: 11
Thanks for the advice, I am now looking at Placer county since I seem to have most of my check list, my best friend lives there and the houseing is affordable, about the same as DC. I am so glad to be leaving here and once I "find" my new home I will start my investigation process.

Mary
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