Relocation to northern California (Stockton, Vacaville: real estate, renting, house prices)

[LynnJoAnn]

My husband and I are going to relocate to northern California from the central South. We are both active seniors who will be looking for part time work. What cities are at the top of your list for safety and reasonable housing? We are open to both renting or buying (if we could find a "deal" in today's CA market!).

[KidBlue]

When you say Central South I hope you mean more like Kentucky than Stockton!

If it is The South, you may find CA real estate prices expensive most everywhere, but here are few towns that are relatively safe, have enough businesses for part time work, and are less expensive:

Redding, Chico, Red Bluff, Marysville, Woodland, Yreka, Weed, Ureka, Auburn, Placerville, Jackson, Elk Grove (south part), Dixon, and maybe Vacaville. I probably left off a bunch of places, but it's a start.

[LynnJoAnn]

Thanks, KidBlue! Even a place to start is hugely helpful. And yes, The South is actually lower Tennessee. I realize real estate prices in n. CA are mega compared to here, but our kids and grandkids are on the West Coast and won't likely be moving back this way.......thus our move. I'm new to these chatroom/forums so I appreciate your replying to my, I discovered, very vague question.

[ShastaLiving]

We live in Redding and have enjoyed it very much. There are many reasons we picked this area:
1. Home affordability
2. The outdoors - lots to do (lakes, rivers, golfing, skiing, camping, etc.)
3. Hardly any traffic congestion (almost none) - you can get anywhere within 10-15 min.
4. Family - my husband's folks have lived here for over 40 years
5. Weather - mild for the most part, although it can be very hot in July/Aug.
[moderator cut - realtor advert]

[inpd]

Originally Posted by ShastaLiving

I guess what I'm trying to say is that good deals are going fast but we know where they are. ... our website [MOD CUT]to get an idea of home prices.
Chris & Maria

From the posting rules:
"Real Estate Agents and other businesses will not advertise their services nor solicit business in their posts."

[humboldtrat]

Check out Jackson in the Sierra foothills. Mild weather most of the time year round. New shopping recently built including a new Lowe's where part time work might be a possibility. There's also an Indian casino nearby. There are also a couple of reservoirs nearby for boating/fishing.

[DMenscha]

Originally Posted by humboldtrat

Check out Jackson in the Sierra foothills. Mild weather most of the time year round. New shopping recently built including a new Lowe's where part time work might be a possibility. There's also an Indian casino nearby. There are also a couple of reservoirs nearby for boating/fishing.

Or even a bit further south in Calaveras County

[joshndeb]

Just know if you're looking at Redding the summers are HOT here. Dry heat though

Josh

[deaners]

Whereabouts do your kids and grandkids reside? If they live in Monterey you wouldn't want to move to Redding to be near them.

[Judy & Randy]

I would recommmend looking at Red Bluff.

Many have already moved to Redding and the house prices there aren't so cheap any more. It's also a very redneck town, if that matters. In the summer it doesn't cool down much at night.

We live in Yuba City, which we like very much. But every spring we have the chance of being flooded out if a levee breaks. We have hot summers(not as hot as Redding), but it cools down at night too. YC is a Republican town, much to our preferences.

Chico is nice, if you can take all the college kids and can handle erratic drivers.

Oroville is a possibility too.


What's nice about these areas is it's off I-5, so only people who have a real reason to be there are.