Time to move! (Grass Valley?)

rtmac

rtmac

Hondaholic
Hey Barfer's, I'm looking for any insight or advise on this matter I can get.
My scenario: I'm officially retired now :party ...and ready to leave the bay area (the only place I've ever lived.) :nchantr
We're going to cash out and move north, but I'd like to stay within a 2 hour drive of my kids in Concord and Walnut Creek. I'll be looking for a house in the $700k-$800k range. I'll be paying cash, and won't be working (other than side jobs in my garage), so job market/commute is not a concern. We don't mind a little snow a few times a year, but don't want to be snowed-in for days at a time. I've had several people recommend leaving California, but we don't want to move that far from the kids. So far, I'm looking at Grass Valley, Auburn, Placerville, etc... but my only experience with these places are quick pit stops on the way thru to other places. As a lifelong city boy (east bay resident), I worry that there may be things I'm not considering. Any pro's or con's of theses area's that you know of? Any advise on the subject is appreciated. TIA
 
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GAJ

GAJ

Well-known member
rtmac said:
Hey Barfer's, I'm looking for any insight or advise on this matter I can get.
My scenario: I'm officially retired now :party ...and ready to leave the bay area (the only place I've ever lived.) :nchantr
We're going to cash out and move north, but I'd like to stay within a 2 hour drive of my kids in Concord and Walnut Creek. I'll be looking for a house in the $700k-$800k range. I'll be paying cash, and won't be working (other than side jobs in my garage), so job market/commute is not a concern. We don't mind a little snow a few times a year, but don't want to be snowed-in for days at a time. I've had several people recommend leaving California, but we don't want to move that far from the kids. So far, I'm looking at Grass Valley, Auburn, Placerville, etc... but my only experience with these places are quick pit stops on the way thru to other places. As a lifelong city boy (east bay resident), I worry that there may be things I'm not considering. Any pro's or con's of theses area's that you know of? Any advise on the subject is appreciated. TIA
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How about Cloverdale?

https://www.realtor.com/realestatea.../type-single-family-home,land/price-na-800000
 
scootergmc

scootergmc

old and slow
I recommend sitting down and making a list of things you can't live without.. proximity to medical, shopping, other services, etc. There are things you're very used to since you're a city boy that drastically change if you get too far away from civilization, and many people fail to realize them until they've been settled into their new place. I knew a couple who really missed the proximity to wineries when they moved. They never considered it, and failed to realize how much of their lives revolved around visiting the grape establishments. I know that seems like a trivial thing to some, but only you know your quirks.

Do you have to be on a freeway corridor? Have you considered Amador/Calaveras/Tuolumne counties?
 
Leo_jb

Leo_jb

City boy
scootergmc said:
I recommend sitting down and making a list of things you can't live without.. proximity to medical, shopping, other services, etc. There are things you're very used to since you're a city boy that drastically change if you get too far away from civilization, and many people fail to realize them until they've been settled into their new place. I knew a couple who really missed the proximity to wineries when they moved. They never considered it, and failed to realize how much of their lives revolved around visiting the grape establishments. I know that seems like a trivial thing to some, but only you know your quirks.

Do you have to be on a freeway corridor? Have you considered Amador/Calaveras/Tuolumne counties?
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+1. If you can swing it, rent a place in the town you are thinking about moving to first. Its usually a one way ticket when you move out of the bay area because you may not be able to afford to move back if you change your mind.

Another thing to take into account is natural hazards: earthquakes, landslides, and especially wildfire. I'm in the same boat that you are (wife and I both retired recently) but won't consider vast areas of California due to the fire danger. Fire insurance is also getting harder to buy and more $$
 
cheez

cheez

Master Of The Darkside
chrisweir.com said:
I live in Sacramento and love Placerville for how close it is, while still feeling remote.
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I also have looked extensively at Placerville and surrounding area for retirement. I'd recommend this also. Grass Valley is nice, but I like the more mountain-y feel of the Placerville area.
 
Yakoo752

Yakoo752

USN
you mean Meth Valley?

A LOT of haves and have nots out there. It has one of the highest rates of property crime and violent property crime in the nation.
 
M

Matty D

Well-known member
There's a lot to be said for putting a bunch of stuff in storage and renting a place in the area you're thinking about until you make a more permanent decision. Unless you're really familiar with a place you never really know how day-to-day life will be until you live there. Renting may cost more in the long run but seems worth it. It will allow you to play a wait-and-see game and be opportunistic with the real estate market. Already being a local might result in better opportunities on that front as well.
 
Map8

Map8

I want nothing
Staff member
My aunt and uncle retired about 15 years ago to a really nice neighborhood in Alta Sierra. He's right on one of the fairways for the country club there. Its a pretty area and I always enjoy spending time at their place. Close enough to Grass Valley and Nevada City for shopping/ local entertainment and its not too bad getting to Roseville for all the big city stuff.

Downside is homeowners/fire insurance has become very expensive and thats if you can find anyone willing to write a policy. I would make it a priority to check on insurance options for any region or specific house you are considering. Power outages are another concern.
 
ScottRNelson

ScottRNelson

Mr. Dual Sport Rider
I would expect Placerville, Auburn, or Grass Valley to be fairly similar other than Grass Valley is further from a major highway and it's a bother getting from there to Auburn when there is traffic. All have great riding nearby.

Would you consider one of the smaller towns near those three, like Shingle Springs or Cool? Maybe Georgetown or Foresthill? Actually, any of the smaller towns near Placerville along Highway 50 would be interesting.

I spent an entire year deciding where I wanted to retire to, starting with a list of six towns in four states. I researched all of them, including riding opportunities until I had narrowed it down to two, then spent more time looking at houses in each until the final choice was obvious.
 
GAJ

GAJ

Well-known member
yodaisgod said:
Yeah...no. :laughing
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Why not?

Does get hot in the summer but the country side is much like here.

Found this and it mirrors my limited knowledge of the place.

https://www.bestplaces.net/comments...F4-F6BE78FF2548&city=Cloverdale_CA&p=50614190

Pros: Relaxed, small town atmosphere, friendly people, low crime, tons of civic pride, a surprisingly vibrant arts and music scene for a town of its size (check out Friday Night Live in the summer), affordable given that it is in very desirable wine country in Sonoma County, 90 minutes to San Francisco (traffic permitting), 45-60 minutes to the Sonoma coast/90 minutes to Mendocino, 15 minutes from vino-chic Healdsburg, proximate to 3 major wine growing areas: Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Russian River, and it is an excellent place to retire since the weather is great (except for the height of summer when it routinely gets in the 90's +) and there is excellent healthcare in Santa Rosa (30 minutes away).

Cons: local economy is very sluggish (empty storefronts) few decent restaurants (although that is beginning to change) and very little retail (except for the hip Ken Knight store), racially not diverse (whites/hispanics), may be way too quiet for urbanites and for teens, and traffic to the Bay area can be very bad during commute hours - currently, no decent mass transit as it is the northernmost town in Sonoma County.

Conclusion: an largely undiscovered gem in northern California for those wanting to downsize or just slow down and enjoy Sonoma county at its most unpretentious. if the economy recovers, relocating to Cloverdale will prove to be a very smart move.

Disclaimer: I am a resident of the "'dale" and do not work for the Chamber of Commerce!
 
yodaisgod

yodaisgod

KHAAAAAN!
GAJ said:
Why not?

Does get hot in the summer but the country side is much like here.

Found this and it mirrors my limited knowledge of the place.

https://www.bestplaces.net/comments...F4-F6BE78FF2548&city=Cloverdale_CA&p=50614190

Pros: Relaxed, small town atmosphere, friendly people, low crime, tons of civic pride, a surprisingly vibrant arts and music scene for a town of its size (check out Friday Night Live in the summer), affordable given that it is in very desirable wine country in Sonoma County, 90 minutes to San Francisco (traffic permitting), 45-60 minutes to the Sonoma coast/90 minutes to Mendocino, 15 minutes from vino-chic Healdsburg, proximate to 3 major wine growing areas: Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley, Russian River, and it is an excellent place to retire since the weather is great (except for the height of summer when it routinely gets in the 90's +) and there is excellent healthcare in Santa Rosa (30 minutes away).

Cons: local economy is very sluggish (empty storefronts) few decent restaurants (although that is beginning to change) and very little retail (except for the hip Ken Knight store), racially not diverse (whites/hispanics), may be way too quiet for urbanites and for teens, and traffic to the Bay area can be very bad during commute hours - currently, no decent mass transit as it is the northernmost town in Sonoma County.

Conclusion: an largely undiscovered gem in northern California for those wanting to downsize or just slow down and enjoy Sonoma county at its most unpretentious. if the economy recovers, relocating to Cloverdale will prove to be a very smart move.

Disclaimer: I am a resident of the "'dale" and do not work for the Chamber of Commerce!
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Cloverdale has been looked at that way for decades. It's almost like Oakmont of northern Sonoma with all the retirees with a splash of Latinos in the mixture. It's only redeeming quality is that it is NOT in Mendocino County.

It's last big hooray was the train station that's not being used and a freeway that bypasses the town. It's like Willits saw that and said "I'd like some of that small business killer bypass too please!"
 
NorCalBusa

NorCalBusa

Member #294
Grass Valley/area is awesome. Start looking into homeowners insurance now- its virtually impossible to buy (there) and you'll likely wind up with the state run fire insurance program. You could call a broker or two up there for the full scoop- but your escrow won't close without coverage.

Edit- lots of folks beat me to it
 
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Grissom

Grissom

....................
Absolutely check into the insurance costs before buying anything in the hills

Before my insurance company dropped the fire coverage it was very reasonable but I had to go with the California Fair Plan + home owners
 
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