place to live in balance of affordability and employability (San Francisco: employment, schools)

[ggcd951]

I Currently moved to bay area about few years ago and i like living here but I think of possibility of relocating in the future due to job loss/high cost of living. I lived in different states but I think I'd rather be living in Cali no matter what. Wondering what city could offer the best balance of employment opportunity and affordbility. I think bay area/ la has a high cost of living despite good opportunity however if I look around more far-flung cities in cali like around central valley it seems like there is no jobs there. So wondering somewhere in between...

[Tex?Il?]

Sacramento is often considered the best balance in California regarding affordability and employability.

Also, while the Inland Empire often gets ragged on (the affordable part of SoCal), there are towns that have walkable downtowns with character and history (Riverside on top of that list, also Redlands, Claremont, etc.), universities, etc. You're also closest to SoCals highest mountains, close to desert wilderness parks (JTNP), some remnant orange groves and vineyards, etc. . . . the biggest downside would probably be long commutes. Unless you work for schools/colleges, government, local businesses, most people are going to be commuting to LA and Orange County.

[shiphead]

Originally Posted by guyencd000

I Currently moved to bay area about few years ago and i like living here but I think of possibility of relocating in the future due to job loss/high cost of living. I lived in different states but I think I'd rather be living in Cali no matter what. Wondering what city could offer the best balance of employment opportunity and affordbility. I think bay area/ la has a high cost of living despite good opportunity however if I look around more far-flung cities in cali like around central valley it seems like there is no jobs there. So wondering somewhere in between...

Originally Posted by Tex?Il?

Sacramento is often considered the best balance in California regarding affordability and employability.

Also, while the Inland Empire often gets ragged on (the affordable part of SoCal), there are towns that have walkable downtowns with character and history (Riverside on top of that list, also Redlands, Claremont, etc.), universities, etc. You're also closest to SoCals highest mountains, close to desert wilderness parks (JTNP), some remnant orange groves and vineyards, etc. . . . the biggest downside would probably be long commutes. Unless you work for schools/colleges, government, local businesses, most people are going to be commuting to LA and Orange County.

uhhhh..... Affordability for California standards yes, Sacramento would be a good idea. As far as work, it's either work for the state, work for yourself, or forget about it. I grew up in Sacramento and it's ok. I think if I ever moved back I would probably miss what bigger cities have to offer.

[Tex?Il?]

Originally Posted by shiphead

uhhhh..... Affordability for California standards yes, Sacramento would be a good idea. As far as work, it's either work for the state, work for yourself, or forget about it. I grew up in Sacramento and it's ok. I think if I ever moved back I would probably miss what bigger cities have to offer.

Sure, but you are only about an hour and a half from San Francisco. Understand some people don't like driving and day trips, and just want one place to call home.

The "state" is pretty all-encompassing. But then again, I do understand that some careers would find more opportunity in working for the state. I for example, would find more opportunities in a state government than many others, as geographic information systems (making maps on the computer) is my most marketable skill outside my teaching career. And state governments make a lot of maps.

So yeah, it all depends on the individual.