Is there something comparable to Boulder CO in California? (San Francisco: crime, schools)

[KaelinFamily]

Thank you for the link!

[nightlysparrow]

Originally Posted by KaelinFamily

Our main reason to look for alternatives is the fracking, not the cost of living,

What aspect about fracking are you trying to avoid? Hope it's not avoiding earthquakes, if you're looking in California. Or oil drilling. Or air pollution

[KaelinFamily]

Hahaha, good one with the earthquakes! �� We just don't want to live in a neighborhood where fracking is practiced right next to residential homes or schools.

[oldtrader]

As a native Californian that raised my family in the Silicon Valley, and lived for many years on the front range and know Boulder very well, the only places that are similar to Bolder in California are way, way more expensive than Boulder is at the present time, and are crushed by the huge population base all around them. Boulder has those features you are looking for, but they are not present in California for a comparable town, with the same atmosphere. The college at Berkeley and Boulder draw the same kind of people and the very liberal atmosphere is similar, but Berkeley does not have the other features you want.

[cornsnicker3]

Have you thought about Eugene, Oregon?

[KaelinFamily]

We love Oregon, but we prefer living in a warmer climate.

Thinking of the area around Sacramento right now. Davis sounds like a nice place.

[seain dublin]

Originally Posted by KaelinFamily

Hahaha, good one with the earthquakes! �� We just don't want to live in a neighborhood where fracking is practiced right next to residential homes or schools.

Well who does? You make no mention of careers or how you plan on supporting your family.

And the "my company allows me to work from home so it doesn't matter", isn't a good answer. You need to be in an area where if your company lays you off, you have alternatives. Especially when it's not just you and you have kids to take care of.

Seems like you're all over the map.

You need to visit areas that you're interested in, than see if you actually like it and if it will work for your family, including and most importantly economically.

[KaelinFamily]

We're in the lucky position to have our own companies which allows us to work from anywhere. But thanks for mentioning it. ;-) And yes, we'll definitely check out the areas first, but we also want to narrow it down in order not to have to travel to too many different options.

[Adriatica]

Davis

[TheGoodUsernamesWereTaken]

Originally Posted by KaelinFamily

We're wondering if there is an area in California that is somewhat comparable to Boulder CO?
Mostly looking for an area with a lot of trails for hiking and biking, ideally right in front of your door, and not too far from mountains and skiing. We certainly like the beach too, so anything in between beach and mountains would work, too. Nice downtown with cafes and shops, great schools and safe.
Would Sacramento be an option? Are there any nice towns near there with those options?
Thanks for your help!

No. Boulder is boulder, there is no California equivalent.

source: Native CALI fornian that worked in Denver with a client and as a consequence had a great time weeknights with a local hussy in Boulder.