Northern Califronia relocation - San Francisco vs Napa (Oakland, Santa Rosa: low crime, house)

[dragonfly926]

Hello all,

Looking for information/guidance into relocating to Northern California this June/July, currently living in Colorado and it’s time for a change.


I’m looking to relocate either to San Francisco/surrounding area or to Napa/Sonoma(both have been visited numerous times) but I’m having difficulties decidingbetween urban city life or the tranquil/quietness of suburbia.

My Bio: (sounds like a dating profile)

• Will be 38 this Fall
• Female
• Single, no children
• Financially secure (retiring this Summer)
• Needing a change of pace/scenery, new experiences and betterweather (no snow)
• Love the outdoors, great food & wine, shopping, reading,social clubs, music and trying new things

I’m looking for:

• 3 bed/bath house w/backyard between $2-3M
• Not far from decent nightlife/culture (not big on the club scene,lived in Vegas during my 20’s)
• Close to restaurants and shopping
• Safe/Low crime

Is there a city with a short distance between the two? I been favoring a lot ofproperties on Truila, Redfin and Zillow in Marin County, but I’m looking formore suggestions to help expand my search.


It’sbeen awhile since I’ve been to Napa/Sonoma, how is the nightlife?


Truly grateful for any information, pen and notepad ready.

[Ruth4Truth]

What do you mean by nightlife, but not clubs? Some of us born-and-raised Bay Area people aren't into nightlife, much. A good jazz club, yes. But a lot of us aren't nightlife people. There should be others here who can advise you on that score.

There's Novato, in Marin. There's Santa Rosa. Sebastopol appeals to some. Those might be a good compromise between boringly rural vs. overly urban. What about climate? The closer you get to the ocean, the cooler it will be. That's an issue only in the summer; if you don't mind CO summers, you won't mind Sonoma or Napa, where it gets hot, except for closer to the Bay (town of Napa). I think Marin has more happening musically, but Napa, obviously, has more happening food-and-wine-wise.

[bmw335xi]

Napa besides the vineyards is very bland, boring and actually had quite a few vacant shops.

Go somewhere like San Mateo, Burlingame

[Hehateme000]

I have lived in Napa and it is really pretty, but like bmw said, it is bland and not much to do. Not even a mall, just outlets. Not really a nightlife. Downtown has a few good bars but that's about it.

[Chuck5000]

Nice budget for the size of house in the Bay Area. I think either Marin or maybe certain towns in the Peninsula/South Bay are for you. I did have an old single female friend lament once how many of those there were in Marin, but whatever.

Normally people want to live in Marin and work in SF, and underestimate that the commute is not great (not horrible, but not good except in a few pockets.) Not a worry for you.

Do you NOT want to be around rich people? Then all of these places may be suffocating for you. Not sure of your tolerance. I could live in these places.

You could look at Los Gatos or Palo Alto also. You could also live in a town along the San Mateo coast, and always be able to get to SF within an hour's drive (except maybe rush hour). The Marin and Sonoma coasts are more sparse, but worth considering if you want isolation. They are harder to drive to SF from, however.

[2sleepy]

Napa is suburban and boring. With that budget I would look around Tiburon or Mill Valley. If that doesn't appeal to you then maybe an area like Montclair in Oakland - or Albany or Berkeley.

[capoeira]

Originally Posted by dragonfly926

but I’m having difficulties deciding between urban city life or the tranquil/quietness of suburbia.

Get both together. Live in the beautiful peaceful San Francisco neighborhood of Forest Hill and have a 12 minute ride to SF downtown from Forest Hill station. Do a youtube search for "San Francisco Forest Hill Neighborhood" for a preview.

[raider21]

Originally Posted by 2sleepy

With that budget I would look around Tiburon or Mill Valley. .

without question

[jade408]

Originally Posted by capoeira

Get both together. Live in the beautiful peaceful San Francisco neighborhood of Forest Hill and have a 12 minute ride to SF downtown from Forest Hill station. Do a youtube search for "San Francisco Forest Hill Neighborhood" for a preview.

Lovely neighborhood

[tstieber]

Originally Posted by jade408

Lovely neighborhood

I love Forest Hill, but I'd probably kill myself dealing with that fog and cold most of the year, especially knowing I could be in Marin enjoying the scenery and sunshine. I'd still recommend that over FH...