Relocation to Northern Cali (San Francisco, Sacramento: travel, salary, job)

[heavnlydreamgirl]

I'm a young professional that will be relocating to Northern Cali. I'm looking for something between San Fran and the Sacramento area. I'm coming from Western Mass (small town feel) and am looking for a dog friendly community. My job will require me to travel daily and fly to Portland and Seattle frequently so close proximity to an airport and highway is important. I'm looking for a nice town with reasonable rent prices ($1,200) and social scene. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I'm not a city girl, parks and trails are important, being near a beach or lake and mountains would be nice. Vallejo has peaked my interest but I have not visited and am in the process of negotiating salary etc.

[wenzit420]

Check out south San Fran. as it is right next to a major airport, affordable for 1200, close to the beach and a lot more quiet than the city of San Fran.

[clongirl]

Maybe Davis? It's a small college town, a bit more than halfway between SF and Sacramento. The Sacramento airport is nearby. About an hour and a half (maybe a little more) to the mountains, snow, lakes- outdoor type stuff. It's got a quaint downtown area with nice shops and cafes. A lot more affordable than anywhere near SF but can get very hot in the summertime. I'd pass on Vallejo- it's not that nice or safe overall and I think the city is an the verge of going bankrupt. Benicia is closer to San Fran and might be another option as well.

[jeevcy]

With the SF Bay Area, it basically depends on where will you be working and how you plan to commute.

[Alisande]

Originally Posted by heavnlydreamgirl

I'm a young professional that will be relocating to Northern Cali. I'm looking for something between San Fran and the Sacramento area. I'm coming from Western Mass (small town feel) and am looking for a dog friendly community. My job will require me to travel daily and fly to Portland and Seattle frequently so close proximity to an airport and highway is important. I'm looking for a nice town with reasonable rent prices ($1,200) and social scene. Any suggestions would be appreciated. I'm not a city girl, parks and trails are important, being near a beach or lake and mountains would be nice. Vallejo has peaked my interest but I have not visited and am in the process of negotiating salary etc.

I'd suggest Dixon. People overlook it. It's between Davis and Vacaville. Controlled growth area so it's not congested like Vacaville. Nor as expensive as Davis. You'll get a lot more for your money and the schools are newer-Brand new High School. Directly off I-80. It is a small town, lots of parks, sidewalks and very family/pet friendly.

[mariob]

Hi heavnlydreamgirl, from what you described as important to you I would recommend Santa Rosa. The city has about 150,000 people and we have great hiking and biking trails, short trips to lakes, the ocean. You can easily rent for $1200 here. We have our own airport that you can get to in 15-20 minutes and flies daily to Portland, Seattle, and they just started daily flights to Las Vegas.

[Nella925]

i would not do dixon or davis, they are very small and if you want a social scene you wont find it there.
I am not familiar with sacramento, but I would suggest the east bay
either concord, walnut creek, pleasant hill, dublin...these areas would be great. or even emeryville (mainly the area near downtown) they are all pretty close to sf and you can easily catch bart or drive to oakland airport within 30-40 minutes.

[smiles]

I have to say Santa Rosa also. I have flown out of the Sonoma County Airport and it is great. No wait and people don't mind giving you a ride to the airport, because it is so close. I think Horizon goes to Seattle 2 times a day and Portland once a day.

[humboldtrat]

Originally Posted by smiles

I have to say Santa Rosa also. I have flown out of the Sonoma County Airport and it is great. No wait and people don't mind giving you a ride to the airport, because it is so close. I think Horizon goes to Seattle 2 times a day and Portland once a day.

The OP's requirement was for something between San Francisco and Sacramento. Since when has Santa Rosa been between those two places?

[clongirl]

I'm surprised , Nell925, that Davis wouldn't have a nightlife- It's ALL university students- plenty of bars, cafes, outdoor markets, that sort of thing. I'd say, you'd have a harder time finding anything to do in Concord, Pleasant Hill or Dublin. Oh wait, there's a huge Target in Dublin- open 'till 9! Walnut Creek is nice though, but not anywhere near an airport and feels more like a small city than a town- which the OP was looking for ,I believe.