SoCal for Families? (Fresno, Bakersfield, Fortuna: sales, rent, mortgages)

[homeboys]

Could y'all point me in a general direction? I'm feeling overwhelmed by all the unfamiliar cities in California (I'm an East Coast gal) and just need a little help narrowing my research down a bit.

My husband and I have 2 kids, whom we home educate. He has worked in mostly construction (particularly Corian fabrication) as well as manual labor (warehouse), management (retail), and sales (mortgages). My degree is in interior design and my experience is mainly with kitchen and custom cabinetry design. Since we've been homeschooling, though, I've been providing childcare in my home.

We'd like an area that's not too city... more suburbs or even borderline rural, if there's a city within 50 miles or so. I want beach, but hubby says forest, lol. What we agree on is SUN and WARMTH.

We're struggling as it is here in central VA, so less expensive towns are best for us. What we'd really like is a lively, involved community.

Any suggestions where I should look?

Thanks~
Adesa in Virginia

[Charles]

Do you have any indications that you can get a job(s)?
What is your housing budget?
Where are your folks located?

[homeboys]

We're just starting this process, so we have very little already decided. We don't have jobs lined up yet, so unemployment rates will matter a bit (though our experience is all in jobs that can be found pretty much anywhere). My parents are in Pennsylvania, and we don't know anyone in California (unless you count online friends ). This will probably be mostly on our own (though we're trying to talk some friends into moving with us). We're feeling adventurous and flexible; we just want to find a great community. We currently pay $825 in rent and could go as high as $1000 for a 2-3 bedroom place. We've got 2 dogs, though, so we're hoping to find somewhere with a yard for them (oh yeah, and the kids).

Adesa

[Charles]

Originally Posted by homeboys

We don't have jobs lined up yet

could go as high as $1000 for a 2-3 bedroom place.

We've got 2 dogs

Rent is proportional to job prospects.

$1000 for 2-3 bedrooms probably means either no jobs or someplace where the schools aren't too hot (and/or the weather is). Beautiful downtown Daggett?

Dogs. Four legged housing limiters.

See for yourself

HousingMaps

If I were you (and I am, actually), I'd look for places with good schools and jobs that aren't as expensive.

[humboldtrat]

Originally Posted by homeboys

We currently pay $825 in rent and could go as high as $1000 for a 2-3 bedroom place. We've got 2 dogs, though, so we're hoping to find somewhere with a yard for them (oh yeah, and the kids).

$1000 won't get you much of anything. A decent 1 bedroom apt, near any of the big coastal cities, goes for about $1500 and that's without a yard. You could probably do a little better inland such as Fresno or Bakersfield (about a 2 hour drive to either the beach or the mountains).

[homeboys]

Thanks for that housing map link -- very helpful.

We're actually not looking for a coastal town (necessarily), so I'm thinking we'll be able to find what we're looking for inland a bit. I found quite a few towns that had lots of houses in our price range, but my dilemma is that I don't know anything about their personalities. Any towns that stand out to you?

Adesa

[Charles]

Originally Posted by homeboys

Any towns that stand out to you?

This is the kind of question that results in posters spray painting responses all over the place OR, telling you what you want to hear. Neither will do you any good.

You need to do a lot of up front research, work the internet, and come up with some candidate neighborhoods based on your specific criteria, for the forum to work with.

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by homeboys

We're just starting this process, so we have very little already decided. We don't have jobs lined up yet, so unemployment rates will matter a bit (though our experience is all in jobs that can be found pretty much anywhere). My parents are in Pennsylvania, and we don't know anyone in California (unless you count online friends ). This will probably be mostly on our own (though we're trying to talk some friends into moving with us). We're feeling adventurous and flexible; we just want to find a great community. We currently pay $825 in rent and could go as high as $1000 for a 2-3 bedroom place. We've got 2 dogs, though, so we're hoping to find somewhere with a yard for them (oh yeah, and the kids).

Adesa

Hi Adesa,

That is a tall order in CA for that budget. You will have to compromise on this wish list and prioritize things.

Prices will be your biggest deterant. Finding a 2-3 bedroom place which accepts dogs is a challenge, especially in a nice area, near all the things you menitoned. But then when you say as high as $1000 that is really hard to imagine with the cost of housing.

Anywhere close to the major cities: LA, OC, SD, SF and Sac will definately be more expensive. More like double+ that budget. But if you go more rural Cal. you may find something. Ca is pretty expensive compared to the rest of the US. More affordable, good job opportunities, nice area for families, good schools, near the coast, warm and sunny weather don't normally go together. This is something most ppl moving to CA want. Thus prices/rents go up higher than you might expect.

**Edit: I notice you responded to Charles while I was writing. If you don't need to be near the coast you can save some money. A nice safe area with good schools will be the challenge to find in that range. Fortunately you homeschool. So a good school district isn't mandatory. Hmmm.... Maybe somewhere in the Sierra Foothills or in the more rural northern part of the state.

On the other hand whether you use the public school system or not there is normally a direct correlation between nice areas for families and good schools (lower crime, walkability, jobs, etc...). So take a look here to see areas which may be more family/kid friendly: School Performance. Zoom in to see various areas.

There are some good homeschool support groups out here. My wife and I actually homeschool our three children out here as well as in CO while living there.

Derek

[ferretkona]

Originally Posted by homeboys

,,,My husband and I have 2 kids, whom we home educate. ,,,,,,, Since we've been homeschooling, though, I've been providing childcare in my home.,,,,,

I am positive I heard that parents that home school in CA have to have teaching credentials, it is a fairly recent bill.
You will have to be licensed for day care as well in CA.