<p>We hadn’t looked at Northern CA because we thought it was too expensive but I will put Napa on the list since I had only looked at the south bay before. We really don’t mind being a day’s drive away away from our son - in fact, DH doesn’t mind being on the other coast although I do.</p>
<p>Re state income taxes - the Illinois legislature stayed up late last night raising ours…</p>
<p>Love all your suggestions - thanks!</p>
<p>I can’t speak for Napa county, but here in my part of Sonoma county, we do not have hoards of tourists. Sure, in the town of Sonoma, there are indeed lots of tourists. But in all of the other areas of the county, it’s pretty much just a regular place to live. One great compromise would be the town of Healdsburg…it’s got it’s charm and a few tourists, but has a nice, small-town-yet-cosmopolitan feel. While I’m not Jewish myself, I do have a few Jewish friends here and they seem happy with their synogogues (sp?). It’s pretty diverse here and people seem to be accepting and accomodating to all different kinds of lifestyles (for instance, its not uncommon at all to see a dairy rancher striking up a conversation with someone with tatoos all over their face and a huge nose ring). :)</p>
<p>Also, in general, the cost of living in Sonoma county (except for pricey downtown Sonoma)is a bit cheaper than the rest of the Bay Area, if that helps.</p>
<p>I have a close friend who is from Portland. She is currently living in SB. She is considering moving. She loves Portland but not the lack of sunshine. Places she has looked at- Bend Oregon- loves the outdoor pursuits and a bit more sun though cold. Santa Cruz, Berkeley, San Rafael and Sebastapol. It is just my opinion but it seems the farther you get from a large city the smaller the Jewish population.
I love SLO county but it also is far from a major airport which is a drawback to me.
I also would not put Irvine and Portland on the same list. The Santa Ynez valley has become more expensive but it is a nice place to retire. The jewish population is growing. You would not find good jewish deli food or a good bagel.
I don’t mind rain and I would love to one day spend more time in both Portland and Seattle.</p>
<p>We live 20 miles from Napa, and hope we can afford to retire in California. H says it’s not going to happen. I THINK he means California, but he COULD mean retirement…</p>
<p>"I THINK he means California, but he COULD mean retirement… "</p>
<p>Areas around Sacramento are very affordable. :)</p>
<p>I like Healdsburg. I like mom60’s list.</p>
<p>I live halfway between Sacramento and SF. 20 miles east of Napa.</p>
<p>Gets pretty hot out there. :)</p>
<p>I love San Rafael, all of Marin, for that matter. But it’s never going to happen with our middle-class incomes. I have lots of friends here in Sonoma County that grew up in Marin, but can’t live there because of the high cost of living.</p>
<p>Yes, Sacramento gets blazing hot in the summer. I grew up there, and could never move back now because I’ve been spoiled by Bay Area summers. I’ve become a weather wimp.</p>
<p>“Gets pretty hot out there.”</p>
<p>My H calls it “Africa hot!”.</p>
<p>VERY affordable is relative. Most of our family is in the south, and though I am not willing to tolerate that thought at this point in my life, we could have a MUCH earlier retirement there…like before we died…</p>
<p>Shrinkrap- D and I watch House Hunters on TV and I am always surprised at how much house and how nice of a house you can get in other parts of the country.
Both H and I were born and raised and have lived our entire lives in Ca. All of our relatives live in Ca. I think we sometimes have a warped sense of reality. I know at least 2 out of 3 of our children want to live in Ca. I can’t imagine living anywhere else. The cost of living is just something that we have always lived with. Most of my family would be considered middle class. Most own a home.</p>
<p>My H LOVES House Hunters. I don’t get it…especially House Hunters International, where you see people looking for a second home in oh, say Aruba, and worried that there isn’t enough room for all the family and friends that will visit…who ARE these people???</p>
<p>Travel? Vacation? Time off from work? Family and friends who can do the same???</p>
<p>DH and I both chose careers where most retire early. Now this is because they’ve worked themselves half to death…but it was a strategy that worked out for us and I see our children thinking about their approach.</p>
<p>I watched House Hunters (or was it a different show) yesterday and I was shocked. There was a couple that wanted to buy a house in Salem, Oregon. And yes…you can get a lot more house for your money in Salem compared to the SF bay area. </p>
<p>But what really amazed me was the couple bought a home, but could not afford to buy a refrigerator. They pretty much spent everything they had to buy a home.</p>
<p>That is crazy to me. If you are going to do that…it better be in Marin County. :)</p>
<p>Wonkapickletop, yeah…I can see people moving up to Sonoma from Marin. I wonder where my daughter is going to end up. She would love to live in Marin. The 55 year old, small ranch homes across from Town Center in Corte Madera are $600,000 to $1 million. Blows my mind.</p>
<p>You get more for your money in San Rafael and Novato.</p>
<p>“If I wanted to leave my husband I would already be in southern CA!”</p>
<p>LOL! I agree with the others that the cost of No Cal might be worth it for you. It might mean a smaller home, or less property, but all things considered, that could really be worth it.</p>
<p>I’d rent for 2 years, minimum.</p>
<p>Rent is still cheaper than purchasing.
A lot easier.</p>
<p>I live in Salem. </p>
<p>We seem to have our share of idiots.
What lender would lend to a borrower with a tight cash flow. Something is not being told.</p>
<p>Portland & vicinity.</p>
<p>Make it an item on the bucket list to try every McMenamin’, every brewery, and winery.</p>
<p>^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
If you were really committed, you would go here too.</p>
<p><a href=“Clear Creek Distillery — Hood River Distillers”>Clear Creek Distillery — Hood River Distillers;