Near La Jolla (San Diego, Hemet: middle-class, for rent, homes)

[Nicknet]

Hi We are trying to decide between moving either near UCSD, La Jolla, CA or Mayo Clinic, MN for the treatment of my rare heart lung disease called PAH. Cost of living wise MN can be better but, weather wise, SD sounds like heaven on earth. Any suggestions as to where we can find a reasonably priced home in a (2 bedroom, 2 bath home at around $300,000) 55+ active adult community within an hour of UCSD?

Reading all about the crime, gangs, traffic, bad air quality, besides high cost of living is a bit scary while Rochester, MN vicinity sounds terrific except for the harsh winters.

How is the Hemet area with new reasonably priced homes in 55+ community by KHovnanian and DelWebb?

Solera Diamond Valley by Del Web
Del Webb - Solera Diamond Valley
1608 Paseo Diamante ( near Mustang way)
Hemet, CA 92545

Four Seasons by KHovnanian
K. Hovnanian's® Four Seasons: K. Hovnanian's® Four Seasons at Hemet: Community Information: Driving Directions
251 Eagle Lane
Hemet, CA 92545

Thanks much!! All responses will be greatly appreciated.

Have a great weekend

[mewzikguy]

then go for Rochester

[CrissCT]

Hemet is well over an hour away from La Jolla (according to Mapquest 83 miles away). The drive would not be easy, especially if you need to do it frequently. I think you are better off in Minnesota.

However if you are still interested in San Diego, look into the existing 55+ community in Rancho Bernardo called Oaks North. That would be under an hour to La Jolla.

[pizzicato66]

I live in the Twin Cities MN and I'm trying hard to find a job in SD. Not just the winters, but the ocean, the culture, and the adventure of it.

Something to consider with your condition - does humidity and changes in weather make it better or worse? It is STICKY and hot here in MN in the summer quite a bit of the time (not FL weather, but it can get close), and then you switch to dry and bitter cold in the winter (we actually have snow warnings today and are likely to get several inches, yes, on March 31). I'm wondering what that would do for your condition compared to the more moderate climate in CA. The changes in seasons are definitely pretty though, I'll admit.

Rochester is a nice enough town, especially if you're NOT a minority. It's VERY white middle-class there, with a lot of white collar folk (lots of docs, since there's not much else for work there). Minorities do face some racism there, if that's of any concern for you, and you definitely won't have a lot going on for cultural diversity. But, the Twin Cities are just over an hour away if you need to get a fix. Then again, some prefer to live in less diverse areas.

MN would be most likely be more affordable than CA, but you probably have some options for 55+ locations in SD that aren't available to those of us that are younger. If you go for renting, Craig's List has quite a few 55+ listings right now.

If you go for MN you might also want to check out some of the communities along the Mississippi River, as it may be a little more affordable and it's really beautiful there. My brother's building on a bluff in Lake City soon and it's quite a pretty area to live, only 30 minutes from Mayo.

Good luck!

[daisybuttercup]

I can tell you want to go to Cali. You should do it. You will be happier...

[sdurbanite]

My friend's parents recently moved from St. Louis via Florida to a 55+ community in Hemet and they love it! They are so busy with their new lives there that they don't visit the grandkids in SD as much as they used to.

That said, as CrissCt said, it's at least an hour away from La Jolla. Also, know that summer temps hit 100 degrees on many days. They don't exactly share San Diego weather.

Since you will be here for temporarty treatment, why not rent instead of buy? You can live in the UTC area and be 5 minutes away from UCSD. It's a safe area with all of the conveniences nearby (grocery stores, shopping, etc)

Just a thought...

[Unkllars]

I'd say California at your age and having fewer variables to deal with during treatment, having a similar climate year round. Hemet is quite a distance from La Jolla. You can get a 2/2 in San Diego for $330,000. For sure not the same size as one in MN, but then again you mentioned yourself about the harsh winters.