Suggestions for a family moving to California?

[ruckerz]

$1350 for rent alone is a pipe dream. You might get a 1BR in-law unit here in the East Bay. My 2BR/1BA in albany is $1800, though I'm sure you'll be hard pressed to find a 2br in this town for at least $2000.

Sounds like you're embarking on the dream of 'living in California'. Sure the weather is great (it was 70F the other day). If you live on the coast or the Oakland/Berkeley corridor (not further south or inland) you will not need A/C and maybe turn on the heat for a few days of the year. However, this comes at an *extremely* high price.

[nullgeo]

Originally Posted by ruckerz

$1350 for rent alone is a pipe dream. ...

Again, no, it's not a pipe dream to live within an hour of the beach, 2 hours of S.F. in a quiet, safe town with a $1350 monthly rent budget for 2 bedroom house / condo / apartment.

Examples of such rentals abound in places like Santa Rosa, Napa (talk about nice), Petaluma, Guerneville / Russian River towns and more. Places further from the coast, such as in the Sac-Delta, one can find stand alone houses with yard for $1250 a month. There is not much to do in the Delta Towns, but they are quiet and safe. There's plenty to do in Napa and Petaluma and Santa Rosa ... all three of which cities have 2-bdrm town-homes in the OP's range ... There is even public transit in those cities.

OP, I am also originally from Michigan. I understand your mission. Can do.

[nullgeo]

Another direction: south ... how about Santa Cruz? ... sensational beach / university town with outstanding year round weather (but fog summer mornings). One of California's best spots.

2BD/1.0BA $1,295
4795 River Street #D
Soquel, CA 95073

Soquel, 2bd, 1ba Bi-level Townhome, Creekside, With deck overlooking creek, Has Hook-ups, Carport Parking, Close to town, Cat OK w/Deposit, Water & Garbage Paid. Sorry No Section 8, No Co-signors, No smoking. River Street at Main.

Rent: $1,295.00
Application Fee: $20.00
Security Deposit: $1,895.00
Available On: 03/18/2013

[CAVA1990]

You sure you want to live near San Francisco? The beaches and weather are better in Southern California and you can find what you're looking for there. How about a block from the beach less than an hour from San Diego?

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/apa/3617480559.html

[MaryBerryBoBerry]

I'm with the Santa Rosa idea. Looks like you can find a place to rent under your budget here: Santa Rosa Homes For Rent — Trulia.com The beach is only 30 miles away. If you work online, you could pretty much live anywhere, so that helps. When you get here and need insurance, these folks have the best rates in the state for any insurance (auto, renters, condo, health, anything) Insure your valuables - Ganis Insurance
Good luck and have fun!

[bmw335xi]

Originally Posted by ambertx90

Hi there,

I'm planning on moving with my family to California at the end of this year once my lease is up. San Francisco is one of my favorite cities, but it is unaffordable for me. I have a budget of $1350 or under for rent alone. I would prefer renting a 2 bdr+ house, but a 2 bdr+ condo/apartment is fine as well as long as the area is nice and there's alot to do. I want to be less than 1 hour from the beach and preferably less than a 2 hour drive from san francisco. I'm looking for something that's safe and affordable. I work online so we can move anywhere we like. I'm looking for a laid back atmosphere...I'm moving from Michigan which I absolutely hate. I moved here from Texas!!!

Other details

*Public transportation is a big plus, but not necessary
*We have 2 small children (1 and 4)
*My husband will probablly need to find a job once we move, but I am the main income and cities with alot of jobs is not priority.
*Low crime rate; I have kids
*Not really a fan of LA
*Diverse area<---this is very important, I don't want to move to another place that is 90% white, 90% black, etc, like I've experience here in the cities I've lived in Michigan. It needs to have a good mix of people.

Thanks!

You could look into Concord, Sacramento and Santa Rosa, you'll find 2 bedroom units for under $1400/month.

[eastbayhopeful]

Originally Posted by ruckerz

$1350 for rent alone is a pipe dream. You might get a 1BR in-law unit here in the East Bay. My 2BR/1BA in albany is $1800, though I'm sure you'll be hard pressed to find a 2br in this town for at least $2000.

Sounds like you're embarking on the dream of 'living in California'. Sure the weather is great (it was 70F the other day). If you live on the coast or the Oakland/Berkeley corridor (not further south or inland) you will not need A/C and maybe turn on the heat for a few days of the year. However, this comes at an *extremely* high price.

Not true. I have family who rents a nicely updated 2br/1.5ba townhouse in the town of Sonoma for $1300, which even tends to be more expensive than Santa Rosa. The OP didn't even mention anything specifically about the East Bay. I'm not sure why the prices there are relevant since it doesn't even really meet their requirements.

Anyway, I grew up in Sonoma County and it sounds like it would be a very good fit for you, although it is not as diverse as you may be looking for - mainly white and Latino in population. I also agree with the Santa Rosa suggestion, but also check out Rohnert Park and Cotati. Sonoma County Transit services all of those locations and you could get all over the county with one bus pass. Santa Rosa City Bus services Santa Rosa and it's also excellent, but generally only $1 per trip and you can get a transfer ticket that's good for I believe four hours. When I attended the SRJC and didn't have a car, I purchased the SC Transit pass and paid the $1 if I ever needed the city bus which was rare. It's a really great and inexpensive transportation option.

Also, just keep in mind that some City Data posters tend to overestimate rental costs. California is expensive, but not as expensive as some of the people here would believe. I found an apartment that met all of my requirements for $300 under what I thought I would have to spend based on what I read on these forums. Obviously overestimating is better than the alternative and I'm not trying to knock anyone, but don't get discouraged. $1350 is pretty reasonable in some, though certainly not all, areas of CA for a 2br. It may not be fancy but you can find it. If you do decide on the Santa Rosa area, I would recommend not waiting until the fall when students are renting for the school year.

[eastbayhopeful]

Originally Posted by nullgeo

Again, no, it's not a pipe dream to live within an hour of the beach, 2 hours of S.F. in a quiet, safe town with a $1350 monthly rent budget for 2 bedroom house / condo / apartment.

Examples of such rentals abound in places like Santa Rosa, Napa (talk about nice), Petaluma, Guerneville / Russian River towns and more. Places further from the coast, such as in the Sac-Delta, one can find stand alone houses with yard for $1250 a month. There is not much to do in the Delta Towns, but they are quiet and safe. There's plenty to do in Napa and Petaluma and Santa Rosa ... all three of which cities have 2-bdrm town-homes in the OP's range ... There is even public transit in those cities.

OP, I am also originally from Michigan. I understand your mission. Can do.

I totally agree with your suggestions and would 100% recommend Napa as it is such a nice town with a lot of conveniences (two really nice Targets AND a Walmart, plus this new enormous movie theater that rivals those of much much bigger towns). The huge wine industry there also provides more jobs than you may think for a small town. The only downside is that it is farther from the beach than Sonoma Co. Lake Berryessa is a short drive but you kind of need a boat to enjoy it, and it gets so unbearably hot there in the summer. I only WISH I was from Napa instead of where I actually did come from, I probably wouldn't have fled the area so fast!