Possible move to California - please help a midwesterner! (San Francisco: environment, trip)

[Hoosier]

My wife and I have a distinct opportunity to move to California. The 2 offices she has to choose from are located in Oakland & Sacramento. We don't know which one she will get but are hoping to get some inside info on California.

I was just visiting San Francisco and Dixon last week and had a blast. We had no idea this was coming down when we visited. We have family in Dixon so in regards to housing we'd want to stay fairly close to them. Any thoughts on where to live? Schools are of utmost importance to us. Minnesota has some of the best schools in the nation so it's tough to even consider leaving here, but jobs like this don't come around too often.

I have a strong possibility of keeping my job but telecommuting. But on the chance I don't keep it, any recommendations outside of Monster, CareerBuilder etc. in the Marketing, Communications field either in Sacramento or SF area? I know there are probably a plethora of jobs, but any specific great companies to consider? Thank you for all your help!!

[NewToCA]

In coming here from Minnesota with the strong education associated with that area, I would think Davis would be your best bet. It is pretty close to Dixon and has outstanding schools.

The area is really nice too, kind of a college town (kind of like Dinkytown area in Minneapolis). The school, Cal Davis, is top notch too.

For bigger city stuff, downtown Sacramento is less than 20 minutes away, and San Francisco an hour (if traffic is OK).

[Mumof3]

Oh goodness!! Do yourself a massive favour and stay in Minnesota!!! The education system here will drive you completely nuts!!! My hubby and I are looking to move to MN just as soon as a job transfer is finalised. And we can't wait!!! MN is in the top 10 for education and guess where CA is? The bottom 5!!! And it really shouldn't be the case but it is. The schools here regard money as more important than anything, certainly more important than the quality of education and it becomes very apparent, very quickly how bad it is to an outsider especially, who has obviously seen other systems working far more effectively and efficiently!! Believe me, I know!!! Mumof3

[midnightbirdgirl]

Hoosier, what are you trying to find that is not in the mid-west??
MBG

[NewToCA]

Geez, California is a wonderful place to live. And I came here last year from the midwest.

Here is a link to the Davis school site, neighbors have told me their schools are great, but I have no firsthand knowledge:

Welcome to the Davis Joint Unified School District

Here is a link to ratings of California schools:

DataQuest (CA Dept of Education)

And for those comparing Minnesota to California, spend a summer in Minnesota and tell me how you like the lakes and their impact on the mosquito population. Subsequently, spend a January there, and tell me how you enjoy outdoor activities. Minnesota has some wonderful attributes, but California has tremendous attributes too, and if you only go through life once...

[Hoosier]

Originally Posted by midnightbirdgirl

Hoosier, what are you trying to find that is not in the mid-west??
MBG

It's a job promotion for my wife. Plus being close to family. Love the midwest and have lived here the majority of my life.

[gizmo980]

Sooooo... you really did fall in love, huh? I'll PM you later, since I was meaning to anyway, and will give you some links & advice on all of this. All details aside, it would be very cool if you became a Californian!

[Hoosier]

Originally Posted by gizmo980

Sooooo... you really did fall in love, huh? I'll PM you later, since I was meaning to anyway, and will give you some links & advice on all of this. All details aside, it would be very cool if you became a Californian!

Yeah! Ironically I've almost always been anti-California, but the trip last week made me fall in love with the state and specifically San Francisco! I think it somehow reminded me of my time in Madrid (all the cultural stuff there and all the different languages I heard). And now that I've experienced In N Out burgers...nothing compares!

I guess traffic and cost of living aside my big concern is education as my daughter is in elementary school...and my son is soon to follow in '08-'09 school year. Look foward to your PM and some more recipes!! (hint, hint)

[HDL]

But that's okay . Doesn't really matter that I spent 7 yrs a few miles down the road from Dixon and 9+ yrs on the outskirts of Sacramento or lived 30 miles outside SF for quite some time . What do I know anyways ????

p.s.
Too late for apologies Hoosier guy !!!. My fees $$$ for information are higher than you can afford anyways!!!

[kettlepot]

Regarding the education system in California, I suppose a lot of the negative comments are based on the low test scores of the students. But consider this, I suspect you will find that probably a fifth to a third of the students statewide are ESL or are from ESL homes. That has a major impact on overall testing and class room performance. However, if you speak English as a first language, ensure that your child is placed in the classes commensurate with her ability, and that you and her teachers don't let your expectations of her preformance slide to match the overall school system environment, she will receive an education far superior to what the state test scores indicate is average.