Seaside towns with housing for $1.5M or less? (Los Angeles, San Francisco: real estate, oceanfront)

[scully2010]

What would be a good town in Northern California where my husband and I could buy a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home for no more than around $1.5 million? We'd like at least 1,600 sq. ft and a two-car garage and weather that doesn't get above the low 80's in the summer and no snow or weather colder than the low 50's in the winter.


We both work from home, so commuting isn't a concern. We do like great restaurants, beautiful views, a liberal mindset, cultural and art events in the area, and easy access to very good healthcare in case it's needed (you never know). We are 51 and 54 years old. We'd like to stay put when we retire in 8-9 years if we find that we love the area.

Does such a place exist?

We have been considering various cities outside of California for a couple of years, from Seattle to Denver to Colorado Springs and Phoenix, until weather concerns and ridiculously overpriced housing for the locations made us change our minds. I lived in Los Angeles for 10 years, moving away in 2006, and I never thought I'd consider California again, but having just returned from a two-week vacation where we drove from Los Angeles to Avila Beach to San Francisco and then Calistoga and Yountville, we decided that California is the place we'd like to move either now, or when our youngest is out of high school in four years.

We like wine country, but it's too hot and too expensive. But being able to drive there within 2-3 hours would be awesome.

Thanks in advance!

[Ruth4Truth]

Santa Cruz and nearby towns. Soquel. Capitola.

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...?ex=2945010503

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...?ex=2945374034

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...?ex=2945327554


Monterey
https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...?ex=2945317948

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...?ex=2944416113

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...?ex=2944746345

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...?ex=2942545895


OP, you posted your CA query in the Monterey forum, but you didn't check RE listings in Monterey? The thing about CA coastal towns is, that north of LA/Orange County, and of course San Francisco, they're mostly beach towns, not known for the level of cultural offerings you're looking for. Monterey is the one exception, pretty much. Santa Cruz might fit the definition, if your idea of culture is jazz clubs (which is one reason I like SC). Well, there's Santa Barbara, but it's expensive.

Monterey also stays cool all summer. The Bay Area and even San Francisco get above the low 80's at times. Monterey gets more fog, so it stays cool. Even Santa Cruz will hit 90 occasionally, but it cools off quickly in the evening. Prices are rising in Monterey, though, so you'd better grab a place while you can.

[scully2010]

I have looked at the real estate listing in Santa Cruz and Avila and other beach towns, but I'm wondering if I'm missing out on some of the potential towns. Thanks!

[SFBayBoomer]

Originally Posted by scully2010

I have looked at the real estate listing in Santa Cruz and Avila and other beach towns, but I'm wondering if I'm missing out on some of the potential towns. Thanks!

How about providing some feedback to Ruth4Truth about the houses?

Were you hoping to see more attractive houses? If so, you're going to have to go up in price and/or move away from the coast.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by SFBayBoomer

How about providing some feedback to Ruth4Truth about the houses?

Were you hoping to see more attractive houses? If so, you're going to have to go up in price and/or move away from the coast.

Right. Well, and those are just what happens to be on the market at this moment. I'm hoping, that as other properties come on the market, the OP may find something to her liking. But yes, going up in price does improve one's choices. But at this point, it's just a matter of watching the RE listings in the various towns mentioned, and being ready to pounce when something comes along that fits the bill.

If flexibility in price isn't possible, than flexibility in one's wish list will be necessary. For example, you may not get a place with a 2--car garage, but the house may have all the basics you want. One needs to prioritize, and consider oneself fortunate to be able to get into coastal Norcal (or Central Coast) at all.

[Ruth4Truth]

OK, OP, there seem to be some good choices in Gualala, a coastal town in south Mendocino County, near Sonoma County. I don't know if you're looking for a place that's a bit more urban, but this is what's affordable, with some nice quality homes and some acreage, even, and two-car garages.

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...?ex=2944954402

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...?ex=2943546445

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...?ex=2944663458

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...?ex=2941288740


Gualala has an active arts scene, hosts concerts and wine-tastings, as well as art fairs and gallery shows. It's 1-1/2 hr. drive to the Sonoma winery scene and the Santa Rosa area. It's about an hour northward to the town of Mendocino.

[gizmo980]

I personally like Aptos and Soquel - close enough to Santa Cruz for all their amenities (along with amenities in those towns themselves), but still has that "beach town" feel that's harder to find now in S.C. Or if you want more consistently cool temps, you'll have to head north to/above San Mateo County; check out Half Moon Bay and Pacifica? Might be a tight squeeze with that budget, sad to say, but there's a reason these towns are expensive. You're looking for paradise, so it's gonna cost a little to get it.

At least you're not asking for a unicorn, though. We love those folks who want Coastal California on an Alabama budget.

[Ruth4Truth]

Here's something in Aptos in the OP's price range (Santa Cruz County).

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...?ex=2942708952

Soquel:

https://www.realtor.com/realestatean...?ex=2943085546

These are small towns, OP, so listings are limited. You just have to keep checking, for anything new being added to the listings, that's in your price range. But the above give you an idea. It IS doable. Even w/a 2-car garage. Seek and ye shall find.

[Tulemutt]

Morro Bay
Los Osos
Cayucos

All three nail the wish list … Central coast, close to San Luis Obispo for greater selection of restaurants and cultural activities.

[GusLevy]

Originally Posted by scully2010

What would be a good town in Northern California where my husband and I could buy a 3 bedroom, 2 bath home for no more than around $1.5 million? We'd like at least 1,600 sq. ft and a two-car garage and weather that doesn't get above the low 80's in the summer and no snow or weather colder than the low 50's in the winter.


We both work from home, so commuting isn't a concern. We do like great restaurants, beautiful views, a liberal mindset, cultural and art events in the area, and easy access to very good healthcare in case it's needed (you never know). We are 51 and 54 years old. We'd like to stay put when we retire in 8-9 years if we find that we love the area.

Does such a place exist?

Greetings.

I grew up in the Monterey Bay (Marina), went to college and made a living in LA, visited Santa Barbara often especially since friends went to UCSB, and hung out in SLO Town a lot as my brother went to Cal Poly…so I’m reasonably familiar with the general territory that you’re focusing on.

IMO, there is a city that meets all of your criteria almost to a tee…and it is called Pacific Grove.

The housing stock in that lovely seaside town is generally the older generation 3bd 2ba with a two car garage, with many valued at $1.5mm or lower, although oceanfront won’t be an option…and the entire town is generally walkable distance to the ocean. The housing inventory is not great so you’ll likely have to be a bit patient for the “right” house to be available.

There are plenty of cultural events (museums, playhouses, the Aquarium, art dealers, rodeos, concerts, etc.) throughout the Monterey Bay, but Monterey and Carmel will be the closest and with the best options. The large Community Hospital (CHoMP) is just a few miles away and specialists are also peppered throughout the region. The restaurant scene in the area is awesome and they range from the great Mom&Pop places throughout the area up to the ultra-fancy joints in Carmel.

As for the climate…Pacific Grove rarely hits 80° and won’t often drop below 50° (but the ocean wind will make some areas feel extremely cold at times due to the wind chill).

SF and Napa are about 2-4hrs away…LA is about 5-6hrs away…good luck.

(PS I would also suggest looking at some parts of the town I grew up in called Marina. There are areas near the ocean that may work well for you. It is a “bedroom” city so not much actually happens in Marina, but it’s a very short 10min drive to the hustle and bustle of Monterey. It has similar climate to PG, just more fog…but $1mm will likely get you a 3bd/2ba in a good part of town.)