Considering move to CA (San Francisco, Sacramento: condo, townhouse, school districts)

[mleonards]

Hello All.

My husband's job may be moving us out west to California. We have lived in Indianapolis our entire lives. Yes, we do realize the huge cost of living difference between the two areas. We have been to CA many times and both absolutely LOVE Southern California in terms of weather and atmosphere. His company will be paying for the moving expenses and giving him a COL raise.

Here are the things we need as pick an area...

-decent schools. We have 2 daughters.
-within an 2 hour drive to an airport for husband's work travel
--semi-affordable housing for a family of 4
--don't mind being inland, but would like to be within a couple of hours at most from coast so we can do day trips to beach


We love SoCal, but do realize it is also easily the most expensive. Do NOT want to be inside LA. . Prefer more sunshine over constant clouds.

Would love suggestions on areas to look at and consider!

TIA!

[alanadoodle]

Originally Posted by mleonards

Hello All.

My husband's job may be moving us out west to California. We have lived in Indianapolis our entire lives. Yes, we do realize the huge cost of living difference between the two areas. We have been to CA many times and both absolutely LOVE Southern California in terms of weather and atmosphere. His company will be paying for the moving expenses and giving him a COL raise.

Here are the things we need as pick an area...

-decent schools. We have 2 daughters.
-within an 2 hour drive to an airport for husband's work travel
--semi-affordable housing for a family of 4
--don't mind being inland, but would like to be within a couple of hours at most from coast so we can do day trips to beach


We love SoCal, but do realize it is also easily the most expensive. Do NOT want to be inside LA. . Prefer more sunshine over constant clouds.

Would love suggestions on areas to look at and consider!

TIA!

If you want to be in SoCal, I suggest looking at Camarillo and Thousand Oaks. Checks all of your boxes and the coast is only 20-30 mins away depending on where you land.

[mleonards]

Originally Posted by alanadoodle

If you want to be in SoCal, I suggest looking at Camarillo and Thousand Oaks. Checks all of your boxes and the coast is only 20-30 mins away depending on where you land.

Thank you for your feedback! Will add those areas to my list. We are open to central CA too. Just prefer mild climate (I have always hated the weather here in IN).

[NorCalMan]

Originally Posted by mleonards

Thank you for your feedback! Will add those areas to my list. We are open to central CA too. Just prefer mild climate (I have always hated the weather here in IN).

What's your idea of "central California"?

[Jdawg8181]

Originally Posted by mleonards

Hello All.

My husband's job may be moving us out west to California. We have lived in Indianapolis our entire lives. Yes, we do realize the huge cost of living difference between the two areas. We have been to CA many times and both absolutely LOVE Southern California in terms of weather and atmosphere. His company will be paying for the moving expenses and giving him a COL raise.

Here are the things we need as pick an area...

-decent schools. We have 2 daughters.
-within an 2 hour drive to an airport for husband's work travel
--semi-affordable housing for a family of 4
--don't mind being inland, but would like to be within a couple of hours at most from coast so we can do day trips to beach


We love SoCal, but do realize it is also easily the most expensive. Do NOT want to be inside LA. . Prefer more sunshine over constant clouds.

Would love suggestions on areas to look at and consider!

TIA!

where in CA is his job going? it's a very big state

[mleonards]

Originally Posted by Jdawg8181

where in CA is his job going? it's a very big state

He will have a territory in the entire state as well as Oregon, ha. Sooo he will by flying a lot, hence why being no more than 2hrs from a major airport being important.

[mleonards]

Originally Posted by NorCalMan

What's your idea of "central California"?

Seeing as I am from Indiana, I don't really know haha! I just didn't love San Francisco when I visited once.

[Jdawg8181]

Originally Posted by mleonards

He will have a territory in the entire state as well as Oregon, ha. Sooo he will by flying a lot, hence why being no more than 2hrs from a major airport being important.

Oh. Ok. I don't even live in CA, I just thought having a general area might be helpful for Californians to guide to you to a good place.


I hear CA schools are not very good. I'll let the Californians weigh in on that.

[NorCalMan]

Originally Posted by mleonards

Seeing as I am from Indiana, I don't really know haha! I just didn't love San Francisco when I visited once.

If one of your chief concerns is good schools, I can't speak for SoCal, but up here in the Sacramento area the Roseville, Lincoln, and Folsom school districts are tops in this area. All areas are no more than 45 minutes to the airport in light traffic. We're also situated between San Fransisco and Lake Tahoe. Our summers are hot but the other three seasons are fantastic. I'm wearing shorts and aT shirt today and I leave the windows open until evening, no A/C or heat required.

Our home prices are, on average, at least 300k cheaper than Socal. Thousand Oaks' median is 800k, Lincoln and Roseville is 500k, Folsom is 600k. Cheaper, older home can be found in Fair Oaks, Citrus Heights, and Orangevale but the schools aren't as modern nor do students test as well as the above areas. I have a brother in law in Costa Mesa. He has an 800k home that backs up to the 405 AND a storm runoff culvert. No thanks.

Our traffic is nothing compared to Socal.

Sacramento does have a homeless issue but it's nothing like SF or LA, and out in the suburbs (Lincoln, Folsom, Roseville) homelessness is nearly non existant.

San Fransisco is a necessary evil. Lots of history and things to see coupled with a ridiculous homeless situation and coddling bureaucrats. We go 1-3 times a year and that's enough.

Same with LA, once a year. There's something about LA that just doesn't jive with me.

[saibot]

Originally Posted by mleonards

Hello All.

My husband's job may be moving us out west to California. We have lived in Indianapolis our entire lives. Yes, we do realize the huge cost of living difference between the two areas. We have been to CA many times and both absolutely LOVE Southern California in terms of weather and atmosphere. His company will be paying for the moving expenses and giving him a COL raise.

Here are the things we need as pick an area...

-decent schools. We have 2 daughters.
-within an 2 hour drive to an airport for husband's work travel
--semi-affordable housing for a family of 4
--don't mind being inland, but would like to be within a couple of hours at most from coast so we can do day trips to beach


We love SoCal, but do realize it is also easily the most expensive. Do NOT want to be inside LA. . Prefer more sunshine over constant clouds.

Would love suggestions on areas to look at and consider!

TIA!

These would be helpful:

Your budget for housing

Size of house needed; preference for SFH vs. townhouse/condo; do you want a yard?

Your preferences on urban/suburban/rural, terrain (hills? desert?), walkability or not, etc.

Preferred climate/temperature range; what is too hot/cold?