Where would you live in CA if you could choose for us? (San Diego: renting, home)

[nukuspot]

In a year my husband graduates school (woodworking and cabinetmaking) and we might have to look for jobs in other states so I am trying to start researching now. We currently live in Olympia, WA and I love most things about it here (the weather is NOT one.) So I am trying to find a place in CA that might be similar. We are also looking in OR (namely Ashland) but I hear it has been hit hard by the recession and probably not going to be a place he will find work.

We are looking for a small city/large town. Nothing the size of Seattle, Eugene, Portland, Sacramento, etc. We want it to be close to nature and be a place we can afford to buy a home on land. We live on 5 acres here and are about 15 minutes of of town, we would be willing to live up to 30 minutes out of town in a place to move to in order to have acreage and be more rural. Our housing budget (assuming we can sell our current home) is up to 500k. I am looking for a place (like Olympia) that has a great local organic farmers market and good food co-ops/health food stores, as well as local farmers to buy direct from. I am looking for a place that has many young alternative parents and it will be possible to meet other like minded people with kids! I am looking for a place with (unlike here) some sun and warmth in the summer, (I don't mind real 90 degree sun and heat) but I also don't mind cold or snowy winters. I would prefer 4 real changing seasons but I am not that picky...I just am so sick of the grey skies and rain we have here for 3 seasons, and even the summer can be rainy and grey some times.

My husband is interested in green building and woodworking and would like to find a job in that field. I am a midwife and massage therapist am currently a SAHM (stay at home mom) of a toddler. I plan to start working at a midwife in the next few years and would like to find a place with a lovely and accepting midwifery community but also still has a need for another midwife. I have that here and it's hard to leave it.


We don't mind commuting for a job if it means we can live rurally in a beautiful and affordable place on land and work in a city or large town, but nothing over an hour drive each way.


I've had Chico, Paradise, Davis, and Santa Cruz suggested to me in the past. I'm not that familiar with CA so I'd love some more ideas from people about these places or any others you might think of!

[humboldtrat]

San Luis Obispo

[nukuspot]

I love SLO, but I didn't think it was affordable for us to be able to buy the type of home on acreage that we wanted? Am I wrong?

[DMenscha]

You might try some of the Sierra Foothill communities. Grass Valley, Nevada City, Auburn, Placerville or any of the "larger" cities along Highway 49 might be doable.

[CAVA1990]

You won't find in CA what you want and can afford. Try Vermont.

[clongirl]

Originally Posted by DMenscha

You might try some of the Sierra Foothill communities. Grass Valley, Nevada City, Auburn, Placerville or any of the "larger" cities along Highway 49 might be doable.

Absolutely! I think these are very good suggestions. These towns all have that vibe. In fact, I even know a vegan midwife that happily lives in Grass Valley.

Also OP, depending on budget...Aptos, Scots Valley, Santa Cruz areas. A little pricier but not excessive, particularly if you're renting to start.

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by clongirl

In fact, I even know a vegan midwife that happily lives in Grass Valley.

Does that mean she only delivers organic vegetables?

By the way, my wife is a retired midwife.

[nukuspot]

Great, thanks! Where would we look for jobs for my husband if we lived in those communities? We are going to look for the job first then make the move, at least that's our plan next year when he graduates. We assume he would have to find work in a larger city/town. Where do people who live there usually work if they are in that sort of cabinetmaking/woodworking field, if anyone knows...?
Also, do the posters who are familiar with midwifery know if there is a need for more midwives in those Sierra Nevada foothill communities/areas?

[allenk893]

If I could live anywhere in California it would probably be between these places. San Diego, Palm Springs, Rancho Cucamonga, or Ontario.

[Hemlock140]

My brother lives in Penn Valley, near Grass Valley in the foothills. There $500k will get you a few acres, but not much of a house, his doublewide on 5 acres is probably still worth more than that. Still, if you can find a deal that's about the only place in CA to get country acreage for that kind of price. Unfortunately there will be little work for your husband in those tiny towns, most likely he would have to commute to Sacramento (as my brother does).