Where's my dream California city? (San Diego, San Francisco: rental homes, condos, low crime)

[bobbianco]

I'm hoping one of you will help me locate my dream city. I currently live in the cold and the snow, and I'm sick of it. I have a unique job situation in which I can take it with me, so job availability isn't a concern. Neither are schools as my wife and I have no children. It's always been our dream to live in a warmer climate with no snow in the winters, and within an hours drive of good ocean fishing. We've avoided searching towns right on the beach as they tend to be expensive. We prefer to rent rather than buy a house, but a house indeed is what we desire- no condos or appts. We're looking for a place in California with low crime, and one that has ample amenities or a close drive to them.

Does anybody have any suggestions?

[Charles]

Originally Posted by bobbianco

I currently live in the cold and the snow

Reno?

What is your housing budget?
What type of house?
What line of work is spouse in?

[nmnita]

of course as always, Charles is asking the number 1 question which is what I would ask as well? What is your budget and what will your spouse do for a living or is she not planning on working? There are many cities that might work, of course even inland things can be very pricey and decent rental homes are often very hard to find. Apt and condos are a different story.

Of course areas around San Diego come to my mind as well as inland from all So Calif beaches if you love to fish. There are towns in the northern part of the state as well, but it may not be as full of sunshine as Southern Ca cities.

Are you looking for a small town atmosphere or are you into city life?

I think in order to get some good suggestions you probably need to give a little more information.

Nita

[coyoteskye]

Originally Posted by bobbianco

I'm hoping one of you will help me locate my dream city. I currently live in the cold and the snow, and I'm sick of it. I have a unique job situation in which I can take it with me, so job availability isn't a concern. Neither are schools as my wife and I have no children. It's always been our dream to live in a warmer climate with no snow in the winters, and within an hours drive of good ocean fishing. We've avoided searching towns right on the beach as they tend to be expensive. We prefer to rent rather than buy a house, but a house indeed is what we desire- no condos or appts. We're looking for a place in California with low crime, and one that has ample amenities or a close drive to them.

Does anybody have any suggestions?

California is a huge and diverse state regarding natural environment and culture.
If you want to be near the coast there are many towns that may suit you very well.
But it would be helpful if you gave a bit more information about the type of culture you're looking for, your social needs, your budget for monthly rent for a house, etc.
Are you drawn to So. California? Northern?
Do you wanna be near a city like L.A. or San Francisco or does it matter to you?
I'd recommend a coastal community (or a community near enough to the ocean) along the northern part of the central coast.
The county of Santa Cruz (at the "top" of Monterey Bay at the most northern part of the central coast) may provide you with what you're looking for.
It is expensive here (it varies depending where you are in the county) but since i don't know what you're rental budget looks like, i can't say if it would be out of your $$$ range or not.
There are lots of options but it would be easier for people to give you some guidance and information if you provided some more details.

Cities and towns of Santa Cruz county:

Incorporated Cities:

• Capitola
• Santa Cruz
• Scotts Valley
• Watsonville

Unincorporated Towns:

• Amesti
• Aptos
• Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley
• Ben Lomond
• Bonny Doon
• Boulder Creek
• Brookdale

• Corralitos
• Davenport
• Day Valley
• Felton
• Freedom
• Interlaken
• La Selva Beach
• Live Oak
• Mount Hermon
• Opal Cliffs
• Rio del Mar
• Soquel
• Pasatiempo
• Twin Lakes

[JMadison]

It's probably in a time machine, lost to the past.

Unless you are massively rich, your California Dream Town is likely just that, a dream that disappeared decades ago.

[coyoteskye]

Originally Posted by JMadison

It's probably in a time machine, lost to the past.

Unless you are massively rich, your California Dream Town is likely just that, a dream that disappeared decades ago.

He's looking for an affordable and safe community near to the coast but not necessarily right on it.
This is quite possible!

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by coyoteskye

He's looking for an affordable and safe community near to the coast but not necessarily right on it.
This is quite possible!

Depends on one's definition of "safe", "affordable", and "near". Without any numbers from the thread starter, we'll all just guessing.

[coyoteskye]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

Depends on one's definition of "safe", "affordable", and "near". Without any numbers from the thread starter, we'll all just guessing.

true ... so we'll just wait and twiddle our thumbs until the o.p. returns and provides more details.

[eclipxe]

"It's always been our dream to live in a warmer climate with no snow in the winters, and within an hours drive of good ocean fishing."

Temecula.

Warm, no snow. Affordable, safe, clean. 27 minutes to Oceanside, 50 minutes to PB, La Jolla, 1 hr to Newport Beach, 1hr 15 to Huntington Beach.

[bobbianco]

Forgive me all- I'm new to this really. I guess some of you needed more information?

Temecula seems like the perfect place! As you point out- it's within 1 hrs drive to the ocean, it's near amenities, it has the climate I'm looking for, and it's affordable. Thank you!

To be more specific, so that I might get more suggestions-
My wife is in the same line of work as me, so she can take her job with her as well.
I'd like to keep rent near 1500 for a 3bd 2bth house.

Thank you all so much for trying to help me