Former Californians looking to come back to retire maybe North of SFO (Los Angeles: condos, townhouses)

[mlb]

We've been away since 1990. Left Los Angeles - where my husband grew up. Now in the northern Rockies.

Looking for someplace cool in summer - but not fogbound, not freezing in Winter..... Looked in the extended Monterey/Carmel/Prunedale area but are thinking it's too far from reality....and a little too rural for us. And the coastal fog would be a problem.

However, we really want space around us - and do NOT want to live in a crazy busy city. We are DONE with that. We're actually considering places north of SFO like Santa Rosa - and wonder if we're not out of our minds thinking we could afford a place in the range of not more than $350K - more in the 250-300K range. Driving to creature comforts within a half hour's time is reasonable.

Family in the SF Peninsula - but we will never have enough money to live there. We do want to be within reasonable driving distance of them however.

And yes, we actually will have a decent retirement. We were able to save. If we had stayed in CA that might not have happened.

Any suggestions for communities that fit that bill are appreciated.

[TurboTalon]

You don't want to live near an airport.

[tanglenet]

The price range is tough for a house any where within 1 to 1 1/2 hour drive of SF. However if you are amenable to age 55+ communities, there are some in Santa Rosa and Napa and Walnut Creek in that price range. These are condos and townhouses.

[EclecticEars]

Originally Posted by tanglenet

The price range is tough for a house any where within 1 to 1 1/2 hour drive of SF. However if you are amenable to age 55+ communities, there are some in Santa Rosa and Napa and Walnut Creek in that price range. These are condos and townhouses.

But even Walnut Creek may be a little too "city" when you consider its location on the busy freeway system and the fact that BART plans to expand out there in the next few years. Napa is lovely, but then one has to contend with all that tourist traffic on Highway 37. Santa Rosa and other Sonoma County environs like Sonoma and Rohnert Park are the way to go.

You could also go down on the Central Coast and look at towns like Gonzales, Atascadero, Arroyo Grande, even newer parts of Salinas and also find reasonably priced housing.

[bmw335xi]

I'd look into Petaluma, Rohnert Park and Santa Rosa.

[Radio Flyer]

Originally Posted by TurboTalon

You don't want to live near an airport.

:giggle

[pch1013]

Originally Posted by EclecticEars

But even Walnut Creek may be a little too "city" when you consider its location on the busy freeway system and the fact that BART plans to expand out there in the next few years.

Actually, BART has been in Walnut Creek for some time now.

[mayorhaggar]

Once you get further than about a 1 1/2 to 2 hours rush hour commute out of SF, prices start dropping quite a bit.

Also check out some places with nice neighborhoods but lousy schools, since good schools really raise housing prices--places like El Sobrante, Pinole, parts of Concord.

[mlb]

BART was in Walnut Creek when I lived there '76-84.

I've driven through Pinole and El Sobrante when we came back a month ago.... and was pretty gobsmacked at how high density built up it is.

I lived atop the San Pablo Ridge near Hilltop Mall - with a great view of the city - the last few years I lived in Northern California. I daresay I could even find that place driving through now.

That's TOO built up.

[EclecticEars]

Originally Posted by pch1013

Actually, BART has been in Walnut Creek for some time now.

Originally Posted by mlb

BART was in Walnut Creek when I lived there '76-84.

I've driven through Pinole and El Sobrante when we came back a month ago.... and was pretty gobsmacked at how high density built up it is.

I lived atop the San Pablo Ridge near Hilltop Mall - with a great view of the city - the last few years I lived in Northern California. I daresay I could even find that place driving through now.

That's TOO built up.

My error. I was getting Walnut Creek confused with the proposed BART extension to Livermore.