Dreams in Northern CA? (Bakersfield, Santa Maria: job market, to buy, university)

[ladybuggk]

My husband and I are thinking of moving our family (3 small kids as well) to Northern CA from Southern CA. My dream is to have a piece of land (at least 1/2 acre) to grow a gigantic garden on - if we couldn't grow enough to store/preserve for the winter, we would like to buy at farmer's markets if possible. My husband's dream is to live near water that he could fish in. We both love hiking and the outdoors. Our kids love playing in the water (lakes nearby for that as well?)

we are looking for suggestions for an affordable area in northern CA.

We are both teachers. He would be looking for a full time job in physical education (possibly through the community college level) and I would seek part time in elementary education or counseling through the community college level (I would love to not work at all but we're thinking we couldn't afford that).

Although we seek the acreage, we'd also like to be somewhere with a community, with park and rec programs, etc. We don't necessarily want to be too far away from everyone else.

As far as the weather is concerned, we are tired of so much sun here in So. Cal and would like more rain and clouds but a nice mix with sun sometimes would be really nice.

What is the job market like in NOrthern CA? For teachers? I know it's not a good time to be looking for a job at all, but relatively speaking, I'd like some input.

And are there areas in Northern CA that are better for serious gardening?

Also, we'd love to be in a community with progressively thinking people - coops, farmers markets, sustainability, etc.

Any advice out there for us? Thanks so much in advance!!!

[Clarks]

For a start, Northern CA is a bit broad. As a reference, it can be considered as big as SO CA south of a Santa Maria, Bakersfield Ridgecrest line, but with a much greater difference in landscape.

Where do you want to be? Gardening? All areas will grow a garden, but the lower lands will have more of a growing season. What do you want to grow? Humboldt County is world renown for its African Tomatoes and they bring a good price at market.

If I were you? Fall River Mills.

[ladybuggk]

Thanks. I'll check out Fall River Mills. As far as the broadness of northern ca, that sounds good to me because maybe there are multiple options then. do you think there's lots of places that met my criteria as far as park and recs, community atmosphere, forward thinking people, etc.? as far as the food growing goes, we're fine as long as we can grow out own garden, we're not particular on the specifics of what we grow.

[Adriatica]

Davis comes to mind as a possibility.

Welcome to the Davis Food Co-op
At the Market — Davis Farmers' Market

[Clarks]

The Central Valley will grow what you want, but the weather is terrible. Davis and Chico are both university towns with amenities, but both are large and flat.

The bigger the town, the more "stuff". In the more rural towns there is usually a parks and rec, and ayso.

If you need to be near a community college, Chico has Butte College, but, I think this is where you want to head;

College of the Siskiyous

[eureka1]

Anyone who gives up a good job in this economy, in this year, is out of his/her/their mind. If your dreams can't wait a year or two until the economy gets better and all of my out-of-work friends have found jobs, then they're insubstantial, even for dreams.

[ladybuggk]

eureka1, it's not very nice of you to try to make someone feel bad, no matter if they're "out of their mind" or not. and you are in not in any place to judge MY DREAMS.

[grapico]

Originally Posted by eureka1

Anyone who gives up a good job in this economy, in this year, is out of his/her/their mind. If your dreams can't wait a year or two until the economy gets better and all of my out-of-work friends have found jobs, then they're insubstantial, even for dreams.

not if your happiness is better not being at a job day in and day out where you want to blow your brains out. I quit a job in FL to move here, and turned down good offers in other areas of the country because well, I want to be here where I am.

[ladybuggk]

Thank you grapico. Where are you, might I ask?

[Clarks]

Anyone who gives up a good job in this economy, in this year, is out of his/her/their mind. If your dreams can't wait a year or two until the economy gets better and all of my out-of-work friends have found jobs, then they're insubstantial, even for dreams.

Don't dream your life, live your dream.