Sonoma County a good place for more traditional/conservative folks? (San Francisco: to live in, restaurants)

[DeanoSF]

Originally Posted by CorporateCowboy

I address your (or any) posts in the Forum, particularly when the information is inaccurate and/or pertains to me. You have the option to block/ignore me if you don't appreciate my perspective. That said, my post is sincere relative to the OP's unique question i.e. it's not about you (as much as you apparently think it is).

I grew up in/near Santa Rosa, which is the county seat of SC i.e. wine, art, community - not so much church, although obviously I'm not stating it doesn't exist. The County is not any more 'conservative' or 'religious' than other parts of the Bay Area i.e. it's one of the most liberal counties in the state (lol); and this is my primary point relative to the thread. You are actually one of the many I'm speaking to i.e. those who move/relocate specifically relative to Wine Country and the lifestyle it offers, of which the majority tend to be more liberal. My dad and his wife retired in northern SC. That said, it's rather bizarre you're disagreeing since you are, in fact, one of the people I am speaking to by way of your own testimony above.

Bottom line, people don't typically relocate or move to Sonoma because they are seeking a 'church' or more conservative lifestyle (per the thread). Hence the reason my previous posts speak to (the potential of) the OP being disappointed if the move is all about church or 'traditional' values.

Well, this feels like progress! Up until just now you consistently claimed that I didn’t live here. This indicates you’ve changed your tune. I appreciate your more rational tone, without the baseless and ridiculous accusations.

And again, I’ll restate that we don’ really disagree about much of what we’ve both written about Sonoma County. I qualified my statement earlier about the “conservative” and “religious” attitudes of people who live in this area and admitted that our views were in alignment. My post to the OP was directed at the “family values” comment made, with respect to SF and Berkeley (and reinforced by OP’s mention of Sebastopol) which I read as a desire for a “sense of community.” I stated clearly that Sonoma is not really a church-focused area and you agreed.

I went on to add some of my personal perspective of places that offer more of a small-town sense of community or perhaps a lower density suburban environment (as opposed to the high density urban/suburban/exurban and “hippie” environment I understood the OP wished to avoid. Like you, though, I was a bit unclear on some specifics.

[CorporateCowboy]

Originally Posted by DeanoSF

Well, this feels like progress! Up until just now you consistently claimed that I didn’t live here. This indicates you’ve changed your tune. I appreciate your more rational tone, without the baseless and ridiculous accusations.

Per the Forum guidelines or rules, I don't address (my opinion about) personal issues in the middle of a thread, particularly relative to you. Someone has to remain rational between the two of us - kidding, of course. ;-)

Originally Posted by DeanoSF

I think you will find a much more conservative vibe in most of Sonoma, particularly in places like Santa Rosa, Sonoma, Rohnert Park or Petaluma.

Originally Posted by DeanoSF

These are, however, small towns within a mostly rural county. As such, they offer much of what you describe.[/i][/b]

Originally Posted by DeanoSF

And again, I’ll restate that we don’ really disagree about much of what we’ve both written about Sonoma County.

We do disagree; I outlined in my previous posts as to why (relative to your posts above) as well as the nonsensical comment about visitors vs. residents, considering many people retire to (or relocate) relative to the lifestyle/Wine Country, specifically. I guarantee it's a more likely (or at least a part of the) reason for many people, particularly by comparison to a search for more 'traditional values' or 'church', lol.

Originally Posted by DeanoSF

I went on to add some of my personal perspective of places that offer more of a small-town sense of community or perhaps a lower density suburban environment (as opposed to the high density urban/suburban/exurban and “hippie” environment I understood the OP wished to avoid.

As I mentioned in a previous post, a small-town vibe relative to population and a sense of community (or specific family-oriented neighborhoods) - absolutely, as it would be for any smaller town vs. large city or metro area, as a whole. However, it does not automatically translate to more conservative i.e. the entire point of the thread (and my response). The (type of) growth in recent years is obvious in much of SC as well - particularly relative to professionals in the Bay Area.

Originally Posted by DeanoSF

Like you, though, I was a bit unclear on some specifics.

I don't think the OP has been specific, lol; it's his thread. Is there any other reason(s) for a move other than the search for more 'conservative/traditional values'? Keep in mind 'family-oriented' neighborhoods or a sense of community is drastically different than what he has (consistently/solely) expressed. That said, you can even find family-oriented neighborhoods in SF as well - further from downtown.

[DeanoSF]

Originally Posted by CorporateCowboy

Per the Forum guidelines or rules, I don't address (my opinion about) personal issues in the middle of a thread, particularly relative to you. Someone has to remain rational between the two of us - kidding, of course. ;-)







We do disagree; I outlined in my previous posts as to why (relative to your posts above) as well as the nonsensical comment about visitors vs. residents, considering many people retire to (or relocate) relative to the lifestyle/Wine Country, specifically. I guarantee it's a more likely (or at least a part of the) reason for many people, particularly by comparison to a search for more 'traditional values' or 'church', lol.



As I mentioned in a previous post, a small-town vibe relative to population and a sense of community (or specific family-oriented neighborhoods) - absolutely, as it would be for any smaller town vs. large city or metro area, as a whole. However, it does not automatically translate to more conservative i.e. the entire point of the thread (and my response). The (type of) growth in recent years is obvious in much of SC as well - particularly relative to professionals in the Bay Area.



I don't think the OP has been specific, lol; it's his thread. Is there any other reason(s) for a move other than the search for more 'conservative/traditional values'? Keep in mind 'family-oriented' neighborhoods or a sense of community is drastically different than what he has (consistently/solely) expressed. That said, you can even find family-oriented neighborhoods in SF as well - further from downtown.

LOL at your "guarantee." So, do you really think the OP is asking for your analysis as to his motivation for considering a move to Sonoma, or what he'll find if he moves here (the part you refer to as nonsensical)?

OP- I've only lived here a year, but I've found that the Wine Country experience one has as a visitor is only one part of what life is like here as a resident. I've found several close-knit communities here, where people are happily raising their kids.

My wife is a teacher, who has been researching local schools for a transfer while she awaits the right position to open for her specialty. She's remarked that the schools here are more like the ones she's accustomed to from her experiences in two different Texas school districts, where the communities are more centered on their schools, as opposed to her current district (suburban, but closer to the City).

True--the wine business is the main thing here. The first question you'll get when people find out you live here is whether or not you're in it. But that also means a lot of people here have been here for generations, working in their family businesses, unlike most other parts of the Bay Area. That makes for stronger communities. It also makes it a bit hard to join in those communities, I've found, but we're gradually figuring it out among the genuine, friendly people who live here.

There are a few other places scattered around the Bay Area similar to this, I've found, but none with the specific appeal of this place. We're close by--you should make some trips up and look around for yourself.

[Mikala43]

Originally Posted by SamCA

So to clarify a bit to everyone, I am not only seeking a religious community. If you look back I simply mentioned that a higher church attendance would be a plus. My main focus is a more family oriented environment where there is more of a focus on traditional values.

I have no idea what you are looking for. You are using vague terms.

What exactly do you want in your community? I mean you can probably check how many churches per population.

What is a neighborhood that focuses on traditional values? Cooks every night from scratch and knits?

They are very big on farm-to-table, and farmer's markets. Does that help?

[LaylaM]

We just moved from SoCo after living there for 5.5 years. The County does have an extremely liberal majority when it comes to politics and social values but there are very friendly, family-oriented communities throughout.

We have some very conservative, church-centered family members who live in Santa Rosa and they have a large circle of like-minded friends. Where we lived in Windsor, our neighborhood community was very live and let live, friendly and accepting of differences. You’d fit in just fine.

OP, honestly, of greater concern are the environmental issues like the ongoing, severe drought and persistent fire danger. If you intend to purchase a home you’ll want to do so cautiously.

[CorporateCowboy]

Originally Posted by DeanoSF

But that also means a lot of people here have been here for generations, working in their family businesses, unlike most other parts of the Bay Area. That makes for stronger communities.

Except I was speaking relative to the (specific type of) growth in recent years. Hence my point the significant role tourism/the wine industry plays (in an already liberal county).

Originally Posted by Mikala43

]
What is a neighborhood that focuses on traditional values? Cooks every night from scratch and knits?

Exactly i.e. an episode of 'Mad Men', lol.

[04kL4nD]

Sonoma is blue/liberal/left-leaning and comes with a high price tag. If you want similar, but cheaper/conservative look towards the Central Valley

[DeanoSF]

Originally Posted by CorporateCowboy

Except I was speaking relative to the (specific type of) growth in recent years. Hence my point the significant role tourism/the wine industry plays (in an already liberal county).

Yes, and I acknowledged and agree(d) with you in that respect.

Yes, and I acknowledged and agree(d) with you in that respect.

[BRinSM]

Very interesting thread. I'm still curious what 'family friendly' means in this context. I live in Campbell, in the heart of Silicon Valley, and I find it to be extremely family friendly per my own standards. I have 2 school aged kids and walk them to school every morning along with dozens of other families in my neighborhood. My kids play sports and do other extra curriculars with their classmates. Some people probably even go to church every Sunday. Most importantly though, I never feel unsafe. While the houses are generally small by today's standards, I can't think of a much more family friendly area. Most people I know work in tech and likely lean liberal, but that's not important to me. I don't know much about the peninsula, but I'd have to imagine similar places exist there too and across the Bay Area fo that matter.

[tikkasf]

OP, it might be a good fit if you are looking to stay in the greater Bay Area.....but, prefer a less dense populated area to live in compared to the peninsula