nicer places, to move to in Cal..... (San Francisco, Oakland: affordable houses, schools)

[Michael Tryn]

My wife wants Cal. , and about the only place to consider is the Bay area,as we don't want to get smoked out , have 10 million cars near us, or high u.v. My research shows places to feel good living in, may be Napa, or Senoma ctys.,and Mendocino and Monterey look good. We want QUALITY OF LIFE. Your posts about money cause stress, and that is not healthy. Thousand Oaks and Palo Alto also made the nice list. How they keep the people from E. Palo Alto out only you know. Oakland is in the top 5 in the U.S. for assaults, roberries etc. per Forbes. Can I have places. We have an 11 yr old girl. thanks....

[BayDude]

For some reason when I read your post, I started laughing out loud uncontrollably. Thanks bro.

[jbunniii]

Originally Posted by Michael Tryn

We want QUALITY OF LIFE. Your posts about money cause stress, and that is not healthy.

Are you independently wealthy, or will you require a job of some kind? In California, quality of life is generally found where jobs are few and/or costs are extremely high. What is your housing budget?

[Moonlover]

Oakland is nice. It's a beautiful city, don't let the negative media hype and the naysayers dissuade you. Don't take my word for it come visit for a day.
The proof is in the pudding.

Just make sure you stay away from EAST Oakland.

Another alternative is Alameda.

[Michael Tryn]

Mornin Bay Dude and Sr. My wife thinks normal people can live in Cal. She said "How do the Mexicans live there". ! She is envious again at the weather out there today. For ex. the ave . salary for S.F. I read is 750K ,(it was a natl. pub.). You all must make 300k out there at least, or the teachers, firemen,or even garbagemen would have to drive 100 mi. from what you have posted. I do some research on Great Schools, and find few 9 or 10 rated schools around S.F.. I just read the facts posted by CNN , Money , or Forbes, that is where I heard of Monterey, Thousand Oaks, Lake Forest, and I found where the household inc. listed is $70 k or so ,the people are a higher level. We have higher standards, and there are affordable places in Napa and Senoma. Type in for yourself, best places to live for 2009. I will right now. good day.

[mdwstrnkid]

Originally Posted by Michael Tryn

For ex. the ave . salary for S.F. I read is 750K ,(it was a natl. pub.).

Uh, the median household income in San Francisco is around $72K and the median family income in San Francisco is a little over $87K as of 2008.

Bay Area Census -- San Francisco City and County

[Boompa]

Originally Posted by Michael Tryn

My wife wants Cal. , and about the only place to consider is the Bay area,as we don't want to get smoked out , have 10 million cars near us, or high u.v. My research shows places to feel good living in, may be Napa, or Senoma ctys.,and Mendocino and Monterey look good. We want QUALITY OF LIFE. Your posts about money cause stress, and that is not healthy. Thousand Oaks and Palo Alto also made the nice list. How they keep the people from E. Palo Alto out only you know. Oakland is in the top 5 in the U.S. for assaults, roberries etc. per Forbes. Can I have places. We have an 11 yr old girl. thanks....

How many million have you toward a house. Forget Forbes, most of his "lists are made up by first year journalism students who have never been tyo the places they write about.

Try Zillow or Trulia for zip code 94592, it's an island so you won't have too much traffic

Good Luck

[Ceece]

Go farther north and you will find things more affordable in some of the smaller towns. CA is NOT all rich people and nobody I know makes $750k a year. $300k yes, and usually that's dual incomes and that is what it takes for the better areas in The Bay. But that's not the only place worth living in the state and you can absolutely live here, and live well, for far less.

[Michael Tryn]

thanks Midwestern and Ceece ....Having nothing to do as usual, I did research and Napa has affordable houses. I should not spill the beans, but on Trulia ,Realtor.com and Zillow I found 3bdm 2 ba. 1800 sq.ft. around Lake Berryessen,affordable ! Try to get that in S.F., and the quality of life is less taxing I expect. I found the Forbes Traveler article "Pretties Cities", and Monterey is on the list in Cal. along with Crescent City and Cambria. It must be rainy up there so the towns are small. I do have some money ,as I am not 25, and hopefully the moderator won't protest if I mention other places on that list are Sedona, Savannah, Lake Placid and Burlington.
Cheers all.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by Michael Tryn

It must be rainy up there so the towns are small. I do have some money ,as I am not 25, and hopefully the moderator won't protest if I mention other places on that list are Sedona, Savannah, Lake Placid and Burlington.
Cheers all.

Huh?