Help me find a California town that is a good match!! (Ontario: rent, crimes)

[Mattie Jo]

Originally Posted by PrincessoftheCape

Look into Ashland, Oregon, OP. It's about 20 minutes north of the state line, and an IMMENSELY cute college town/small city that distinctly resembles the character of Boulder.



That's Mount Ashland in the background - the highest non-volcanic peak in the area (though Shasta is a tiny hop, skip and a jump away), which rises over 5,000 feet above the town's elevation, fairly close to the same elevation change between Boulder and the local Rockies.

The view to the NE from town is Mount McGloughlin, a smaller, likely-extinct stratovolcano:



Aside from that, I guess I would default to Redding.

You are right, Ashland would be the place. Berkeley used to be.

[MarciaMarshaMarcia]

Originally Posted by KillingTime1102

Boulder is outrageous price-wise. We would need about $850k to get a decent house. With the open-space restrictions there is just not enough supply for the demand.

Well, then for CA, I'd look at Grass Valley or Placerville, a friend lives in the former & a relative in the latter, they both think they're in paradise. Both aren't that far from Sacramento, but both are hot as hell in summer, way too hot for me. But some people like heat & dry, dusty drought.

[KillingTime1102]

Originally Posted by KillingTime1102

I have searched and searched and have not found an exact answer so firstly, I apologize if I missed the answer somewhere in the forums! Secondly, thank you for any help you can offer!

My husband and I currently live in Colorado. We are looking for the right town to settle in and buy a house. We have been hunting (visiting) various towns for the past two years and have yet to find a good match.

Here is what we are looking for:
-If you are familiar with Boulder, CO that city has the vibe we love! It is bikeable, there are so many restaurants, it is clean, it has fabulous access to the outdoors... BUT it is WAY out of our price range. We would need over $750,000 to get a decent house there (i.e. one with a two car garage and maybe granite counters in the kitchen).
-A place where we can get a decent house (two car garage and *fingers crossed* granite counters in the kitchen for under $600K.
-We are extremely active outdoors so we need a town that is close to hiking, camping, and fly fishing spots.
-We love to travel so a town that is within 2 hours to an airport would be great.
-I am a teacher so I can work anywhere and my husband works remotely as a computer engineer so the job market is not an issue.
-We want a town that has unique, locally owned restaurants. If chain restaurants are the main source of dining, then we are most likely not interested in the area. We really do not want to live in Suburbia.
-A neutral religious/political scene. We are not active in either of those areas and would rather everyone go about doing their own thing without pressure from one end or the other.
-A walkable downtown is an added bonus!

Again, thank you for any help you can give me in our hunt!!

UPDATE:

So we are still on the hunt for the perfect town for us. Since the original post we have visited Coeur d'Alene, ID (not a good fit culturally for us) and Steamboat Springs, CO (Steamboat is a place we love, but the weather[SO much snow] + Remote location[3.5 hours to airport] + Pricing[Similar to Boulder] won't work for us long-term). We would love any new input that the community can provide!

I would say in general we are looking for a place that meets the above criteria, but here are the MOST important things to us:
-Climate (we need sunny days & are not a fan of really gray winters)
-Amenities (we love small towns, but would like a place that has a restaurant scene outside of chain restaurants & coffee shops, etc.)
-We can deal with a remote place, but everything else (weather, pricing, amenities, etc.) would have to be on point.
-Pricing (we would like to be able to buy a 3 bedroom/ 2 bathroom house that is updated for under $500k.
-We really love mountains and it would be difficult for us to live in a place with a flat landscape.
-Culture (a place that is politically/religiously middle of the road or non-oppressive would be a place that we would fit in the best).

Again, I in no way want to offend anyone with my opinions. I would just REALLY appreciate the help & ideas!

[NW Crow]

There will be things lacking and not perfect for the OP, but there might be enough good in Santa Rosa, Healdsburg or Ukiah... for some.


Live in Idyllwild and eat out in Palm Springs? Live in Palm Springs and hike / ride in Idyllwild? Mammoth Lakes (and visit Reno or LA occasionally)? Quincy (and drive into Lake Tahoe-Reno)?

[2sleepy]

Minden NV or Colfax Ca

[vette0009]

Chico California

[eccotecc]

Mariposa County

[Ruth4Truth]

Parts of the Lake Tahoe area, including South Shore, are affordable, and are certainly near hiking, fishing, and camping! There are smaller lakes in the area that are great for that. And it's 2 hrs. away from Sacramento and its airport. I don't know if the locally-owned restaurants will measure up to the OP's standards, but there's a variety of Asian restaurants, among more standard fare. It's a good area to explore, though. If you do go there, OP, check out Echo Lake, for the camping/fishing potential. And look at Truckee, on your way up to Tahoe.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Electrician4you

That's a tall order. I would say Redding/Sacramento area

Me too and don't overlook towns like Paradise. The only draw back there might be the lack of good restaurants. OP, you are looking for a lot. Property, for the most part will be higher in CA. How about someplace like Folsom Lake area. I realize this is an old post, but just thought I would throw a few suggestions in. If you are looking for the college town atmosphere as well,, your choices are going to be very limited. Someone has suggested Grass Valley, that would be a great choice. I don't think Placerville would have the vibe you seem to be hoping for, but it is an awesome little town. All the places I have mentioned will give you that middle of the road, political atmosphere.

You mentioned Redding and crime: don't put to much into studies and charts. they really mean almost nothing.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by HappyinCali

Claremont is a good call. I was there with my brother this summer to look at the colleges. Its downtown is small but really nice.

Claremont might be out of their price range; otherwise what a great little town and close to everything.

I would certainly look into to NWA region, Fayetteville was suggested to you I know and yes, Nashville.