time to leave Palo Alto... (San Jose, Berkeley: transplants, chapel, house)

[Julie135]

I can't help but chuckle -- throughout this site people recommend the Bay Area, whereas I'm trying to get out due to the astronomical cost of living. If I had to boil my many desires down to a few they would be:

rolling hills
creeks, ponds
lot size of at least 2-3 acres for less than $800K
great public schools
civic engagement -- people who read, talk, care
and here's the kicker -- cultural diversity.

We're a black/multiracial family and I don't want my kids to grow up constantly having to tell people "what" or "who" they are. This is where the Bay Area is practically unbeatable (except perhaps for NYC) but, like I said, the cost of living is driving us out.

So, we're thinking Western MA, Shaker Heights OH, somewhere in Oregon. Anyone out there know of any really happy transplanted Californians who were looking for what I'm looking for?

Thx.

[Alexus]

We love it here also and I'd be interested in reading the responses. You may want to check out the Mass. forums. They're pretty interesting about this subject.

Didn't realize that Shaker Heights and Oregon were options. What have you heard about this areas?

[rnc2mbfl]

Hi Julie, You say that you want:
"rolling hills
creeks, ponds
lot size of at least 2-3 acres for less than $800K
great public schools
civic engagement -- people who read, talk, care
and here's the kicker -- cultural diversity. "

This one is easy: Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill North Carolina.

I am not a minority, so I cannot tell you from personal experience. However, I am originally from the West Coast and lived in SJ. I also go to SJ often for my job. I split my time living between Raleigh and Miami Beach so I am not completely blind to what diversity is.

People in Raleigh are very friendly. As a metro, it's mainly Democratic (all 3 cities' mayors and the three US House Reps are Democrats as is the Governor of the state). You will find that the area is a little bit SJ, a little bit Berkeley, a little bit Boston, a little bit Long Island/New Jersey and a little bit Upstate NY mixed into North Carolina. The universities and tech industries bring in a growing Asian and Indian population. The Gay and Lesbian community is pretty large and comfortable. Richard Florida's book "Rise of the Creative Class" ranks Raleigh's creative class percentage the highest in the nation.

Checking off your list, I'd have these comments:

Rolling Hills: Check! for the entire area. It's nothing but forested rolling hills.

Creeks and Ponds: Check! Rolling hills means valleys. Valleys mean creeks. Damns mean ponds

Lot size 2-3 acres for less than 800K: Check again! The area is growing rapidly but there are still these opportunities for large lots. However, it's not as prevalent as it once was. Chances are better to get these size lots with existing construction at that price point. For instance, a quick search on a local realty site shows a 5600 SF fully renovated house on 2 acres built in 1979 for $799,000 in the suburb of Cary in Wake County.

Great Public Schools: Wake County School System (Raleigh) was listed by Forbes as one of the top 5 public systems in the nation a few years back. It's growing rapidly so there are some crowding issues that have to be resolved. Chapel Hill/Carrboro system is the top performing in the state (mostly university kids) but is a small school system.

Cultural Diversity: While the "Triangle" is not the Bay Area, it is the most educated metro area in the South and is always listed as such when comparing education levels nationally. It's always up at the top with the Bay Area, Seattle and Washington D.C. With 3 major universities, the area draws diversity more than other metros of similar size (1.6 million or so)

The economy of the area is similar to the Bay Area with high tech and biotech dominating the economy. However, this is balanced by the State Government and the major universities: (Duke, NC State and UNC). The work culture is less dog eat dog with more emphasis placed on families and life outside of work. For cities larger than 250,000 nationally, Raleigh has the 7th highest income level in the US. San Jose is first. However, the cost of living is much lower. According to CNN cost of living calculator, a 100K salary in SJ buys you the same as a $62K salary in Raleigh. Frankly, I have seen your costs of living and wonder if that's accurate. I'd expect the difference to be greater.
Good Luck on your move and decision!

[missingcol]

Originally Posted by Julie135

I can't help but chuckle -- throughout this site people recommend the Bay Area, whereas I'm trying to get out due to the astronomical cost of living. If I had to boil my many desires down to a few they would be:

rolling hills
creeks, ponds
lot size of at least 2-3 acres for less than $800K
great public schools
civic engagement -- people who read, talk, care
and here's the kicker -- cultural diversity.

We're a black/multiracial family and I don't want my kids to grow up constantly having to tell people "what" or "who" they are. This is where the Bay Area is practically unbeatable (except perhaps for NYC) but, like I said, the cost of living is driving us out.

So, we're thinking Western MA, Shaker Heights OH, somewhere in Oregon. Anyone out there know of any really happy transplanted Californians who were looking for what I'm looking for?

Thx.

I know a family of six people, they sold their house (2400sf, 8 year new) in San Jose, evergreen area, then bought a house in Palo Alto, which is 1050sf, 55 years old for 1.2 million. Palo Alto is a so charming place!

[Luke9686]

Western Mass has everything you are looking for, except the diversity. I was going to recommend the areas surrounding Boston. Maybe 50-100 miles out may get you something.

Also, if the diversity isn't a huge issue, I have actually heard the Rapid City South Dakota area is nice. It is near "mountains" and has nice rolling landscape.

[DMenscha]

Calaveras County, weather you're used to, close enough to keep your friends, you could have 80 acres and a home on it for $800K. You'll probably run into a few other PA transplants while you're here

[laughingdragon]

Go where the climate is good. Seattle or Portland if you don't like California dryness :-)

[Coffee Mate]

Hi, I was born and raised in Palo Alto...all the local schools etc.
What your looking for is going to be difficult to find.
With your situation you might want to try Portland, Ashland Ore.
Try Arcata / Eureka area in Northern Calif.
As I understand it you want rural...or quasi-rural but very liberal....Well the aforementioned might be good for you.
I evacuated Palo Alto because it was patently one sided and closed minded while all the time professing to be just the opposite. Palo Alto is charming only if you have tastes values and interests strictly in line with the dominant paradigm of the region. Tremendous wealth could make Palo Alto palatable for you.

[Palindromed]

I can only laugh at this post. Its delusional to even think one can get a 2-3 acre parcel with a home for under $800K in the Bay Area. If thats what you wanted in the first place, then why bother even planting roots in all places Palo Alto, one of the wealthiest communities in the United States? I mean, you are so far off base with your desires and the reality of Palo Alto and the Bay Area I can only shake my head why you are complaining.

[Claudia Navarro]

I moved to Texas from California, and I am very happy I did, the cost of living, quality of SCHOOLS great!, my daughter is 7 and goes to 2nd Grade, I can say enough how happy I am with the schools here, and we have a very nice home too!

Diversity, I see alot of diversity here, is just a matter of getting use to the weather, but it does not bother me at all, and coming from California beautiful weather I can tell you you can get use to this weather.

Moderator cut: realtor soliciting