CALI Info Needed

Hey Everyone,

Well I am sitting here with cabin fever because my body gave up and I have the flu. I swear I am loosing muscle by the minute. I am using my down time to do my relocation research and I need your help.

I have found that Placer County about an hour away from Sacramento has really affordable housing and my best friend that lives in LA is moving there in Jan/Feb 08. I have to say those two factors are very tempting, but the life style and view is just as important.

Who knows anything about this County or other N.CA counties that are open minded, laid back, good mix of classes, races, mountains and beaches very close would be great and has the overall feel of working to live not living to work. Also any good realtors would be cool too, I don't just want to pick one....Terri~ Ken~ where you two at..where are the other Cali people?

Thanks Guys!

MB

Dan,

Didn't you say you were an ecto and had to "run around in the shower to get wet"?

Murph

PS Hope you feel better real soon MB

Mary,

 Sorry so late in posting this.  I saw it a couple weeks ago and never got a chance to reply.

I live in far Northern California, in a town called Redding, Shasta County (zip 96003 if you're doing a map search).  We're about as far north in Cali as you can get before hitting Oregon and still have a decent sized city.  We're about in the middle of Cali east to west, 2 1/2 hours from the beach (sorry).  I'm originally from Southern Cali, moved to Michigan about 6 years ago, and have been here just over 2 years. 

Why we're here:

Geography: sorry, no ocean beaches, but we have 2 very large lakes: Lake Shasta and Whiskeytown.  Very beautiful and clean; Lake Shasta is huge.  Surrounded on 3 sides by mountain ranges: the Trinity Alps, Mount Lassen Range, and Mount Shasta.  Snow skiing on Mt. Shasta 50 minutes from my house.  There are 4 seasons, but it rarely snows.  I can be in snow in about 20 minutes during winter, but don't have to deal with it otherwise.  It gets very hot in the summer (something I like).  You can be in the middle of nowhere (hiking, camping, etc.), get in your car, and in 15 minutes be eating at a cafe or drinking coffee at one of our many Starbucks (I pass 4 of them on my way the the gym, and it only takes me about 8 minutes to drive there).

The city: I haven't really lacked for anything here.  No, you won't find trendy chains of stores or restaurants but we have popular things and as I said, I haven't missed anthing.  It has what I want while still maintaining somewhat of a small town feel.  You can get to point A to almost anywhere in town in less that 15 minutes.

The people: midwest, friendly feel to them.  A lot of people here relocated from the Bay Area/So Cal to get away from the polution, crime, crowds and we're proud that we don't have any of that.   I grew up in So Cal (L.A./Orange County area) and watched it change over 34 or so years.  When we left I didn't realize how much I'd grown to dread it  There was no way I was going to raise my family there--one of the best decisions my wife and I have ever made.

As far as work, I don't have a handle on that.  I'm an ER doctor and work at the busiest hospital in the north state.  I don't know what you and your husband are looking to do (other than the obvious fitness-related things) so don't know if I'm much help there.

Downside is traveling.  We have a small airport that connects to San Francisco.  If you can get a reasonably priced flight out of Redding it's awesome (short drive, very quick check-in and security).  If not it's a 2 hour and 20 minute drive to Sacramento where you can get to most anywhere from.  The Sacramento airport is very easy to deal with, though.

 Hope that give you a little more info.  As far as Placer County, I really don't know a lot about "Central" California, except it's very agricultural.  The closer you get to the beach, the more expensive it becomes and it's really not worth it to me.  We looked long and hard before deciding where to move when we left Michigan, and this is where we ended up.  One of my work partners interviewed at 29 places across the country and chose here as the place he wanted to settle down.

Any questions, please let me know,

bob

bob.porzio@yahoo.com 

Thanks Bob and Funda,

I just got off the phone with my best girl who is going to Placer County Thursday to search for homes. She is telling me this area is very similar to what you just stated Bob, as far as having trails, mountains, skiing, lakes close by. Growing up in Seattle I love that diversity, but hate the rain and snow. The one thing about Placer County is the housing is cheap (relative to the rest of CA). My one concern is it too dry and flat...she knows I hate that and thus she maybe leaving that part out... Duke and I head to CA after Joe's Camp so I am praying that CA town just hits me.

I can't wait to join the rest of you Cali people and maybe even get Joe to hold the 2009 Camp in Ca...much warmer then IN.

Sean, you are right (even though it hurts me to say it.)
The midwest you get the Best of both worlds -30 in January & Feb then 105 in August.  Who could ask for anything more?  LOL!

Well, except a beach, sand, 80 degrees year round....... What kind of nuts would like somewhere like that?

MB,

You can't really go wrong out there.  Each town has it's pro's and it's con's.  I'm sure you'll find a nice place to settle down.  If you need any help, please email me.  I still have many friends that live out that way.  I hear Northern Cal (not Silicon Valley but truly northern) is nice.  The Silicon Valley is a tough environment...expensive, congested, traffic, etc.  North of the Golden Gate Bridge is so beautiful and you're still so close to the city should you want to venture in.

Keep me posted.  I'm due West soon to visit the folks, maybe our trips will coincide.