Relocating to Central CA (Visalia, Gilroy: high crime, homes, to live)

[densdeb]

We are moving from northern ca(pine trees) and looking for somewhere with similar demographics. Husband drops load in Kettlemen City and is willing to go up to an hour and a half outside of there to go home. We are looking for TREES and mountain areas. No gangs or high crime. Preferably little snow. Any advise is appreciated. Looking into Visalia area but sounds too city?????

[FresnoFacts]

You won't find mountains and pine trees within 1 and a half hours of Kettleman City.

If Visalia sounds too large, maybe look into Exeter. It is smaller, about 11,000 people and located among the orange groves at the base of the foothills off Highway 198 to Sequoia. Exeter has a nice, quaint downtown but your major shopping, entertainment and services (like specialty medical) would only be 20 minutes away in Visalia.

Three Rivers (further up 198) or any of the areas above Porterville will be closer to a 2 hour drive from Kettleman.

[Snort]

Actually, 198 west of Coalinga is a pretty area. Take a drive out there and have a look around.

[Cali-girl]

Tehachapi, Frazier Park, Pine Mountain Club, Lake of the Woods. All are in Kern County up near the Tejon Ranch.

All have pines and are mountainous and within your driving range to Kettleman.

However, unless we are having a very dry year, all of these areas get snow to one depth or another. Not as deep as Shasta County, but still get snow.

Hard to have pines and mountains with no snow.

~Cali-girl

[FresnoFacts]

Tehachapi is a good suggestion, but isn't it closer to a 2 hours drive from Kettleman?

I didn't think about Frazier Park, good idea.

[densdeb]

Am researching all suggested areas. Thanks so much for taking the time. Yeah, snow isn't a huge deal as long as the roads stay open for husband to get home. Very excited to look into all the mentioned places.

[densdeb]

I was mistaken. Husband says we need to live within an hour and a half from Gilroy not Kettleman City. I think that's going to be a little tougher trying to find desired demographics. Any suggestions on surrounding areas with small town, wholesome values? And hopefully not on flat ground? I'm sure I won't get my pine trees out this way but from what I remember it is near mountains???? We are Christains and Republican so that might help you all to know. Thanks again for all of your help. I was really kind of liking Lake of the Woods, but.... gotta go the other way. DARN!!!

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by Snort

Actually, 198 west of Coalinga is a pretty area. Take a drive out there and have a look around.

Ditto that.

And the cool thing is, from there, it's not too, too far to Monterey, Morro Bay, et al.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

Originally Posted by densdeb

I was mistaken. Husband says we need to live within an hour and a half from Gilroy not Kettleman City. I think that's going to be a little tougher trying to find desired demographics. Any suggestions on surrounding areas with small town, wholesome values? And hopefully not on flat ground? I'm sure I won't get my pine trees out this way but from what I remember it is near mountains???? We are Christains and Republican so that might help you all to know. Thanks again for all of your help. I was really kind of liking Lake of the Woods, but.... gotta go the other way. DARN!!!

Maybe somewhere in San Benito County.

[Clarks]

Mt Madonna County Park just west of Gilroy is a jewel, there are country lanes in the area with country homes.
It is probably a bit short on Christian Republicans, probably more new agers with with little cash crop to help them out through the lean times, african tomatoes are popular.

But, expanding one's horizons is a great reason to be on planet Earth

Mount Madonna County Park

These folks do some religion stuff; From The Hanuman Temple - hanumanfellowship.org