Where would you move to?

I'm low intermediate in Swedish (I'd be better if I had the money to travel there and immerse myself in the language) and a bit rustier in Danish. I've learned about the cultures of those two countries over the years. Culturally, I'd probably fit in a little better with the Danes, but geographically I'd do better in Sweden. It has more of the geological variety that California does. It's only in the last couple years that I've thought more seriously about Ireland. Wish I'd found out about my great-great-grandfather's cottage being sold. I would have taken up a collection in the extended family to buy it. But I didn't find out it had even gone up for sale (much less that anyone living knew exactly where my great-great-grandfather had lived) until a couple years later. Now the prices are so high that I think we'd have a harder time buying.

Canada and New Zealand are also on my list. Unfortunately, I'm not on any of these countries' lists, not having specialized enough skills to get the points to immigrate there.

I live in Los Angeles now, and though it's a fairly decent climate for growing things, there are much better ones, like Santa Barbara, Fallbrook/Vista, or San Diego... but really, I would move west if I could, to a nice little island called HAwaii. Just hard to make a living out there at the same time...

Well. I lived in Hawaii for a short time 30 years ago and didn't care for it myself....I don't really care for tropical weather. I like winter and sweaters and all that. If I'd traveled more to be familiar with other countries then I think I also would probably be happier in one of several other countries. Think I would like Ireland also. I've lived in Fallbrook for 24-25 years now and it's changed greatly. Weatherwise I can't really trust it anymore since it froze here last winter...once is all it takes and though I didn't lose anything on my property, there is the known chance of it now. Nurseries took a big hit. Likewise a week of reaching to 107 this last summer, then add to that the twice now that we've burned and I no longer think it's a fluke. I think it can, will happen again. I think water is going to be a big,big issue for deciding and that plus the fact that I just love it...I think it's going to have to be back to the Pacific Northwest. I would love to stay anywhere from Santa Barbara north in California, but all of the places I love are in demand and too expensive when I'd like to make a profit from moving. Realistically, I think probably most of the desirable areas of the northwest are just as expensive now. We bought 5 acres on Whidbey Island 27-28 years ago for $35,000...doubt we'd see that deal again.lol..... I guess the thing right now is to just get on the road and take a look around, see what feels good.Hard to do that while being tied down. I think the fire was enough to make us get more serious about leaving....it's not fun being evacuated. Now instead of wanting to head to the mountains on a day like today, I wonder if there will be a fire started while we're gone for the day. DH installed a fire hydrant last week and we'll taking other steps like installing ridgeline roof sprinklers. Rainy areas sound real good right now. Wish it could be B.C.

Anywhere you have the population density in treed and shrub mountainous areas like Southern California you have a thread of fire... and I know ya'll know that. Rancho Bernardo comes to mind. I lived in Encino for 9 years as a child until I was 15 -- late '50s-early '60s. I remember the BelAire, coastal, Malibu fires. Lots of fires, all the time. I remember flying at night in a prop plane, Pacific Southwest Airlines, up to my grandparents in Atherton and it seemed the whole state south of Santa Barbara was on fire. Those winds, vicious and careless people can be so cruel. Really doesn't matter how they start, they Will start. I think there are something like 38 million people in California. Huge.

I can imagine there is a sublimable weight on you psyche living like that. I know that when I visit my brother in Ojai, a very beautiful place, I am always thinking that I need to know the way out of the canyon.... there are TWO roads.

I like living in AZ. About 6 million population. Very beautiful forests, and yes we lost about 500,000 acres several years ago due to some idiot who lit a fire to signal her whereabouts (she was lost) and the same timeframe a volunteer "fireman" lit a fire so he could go to work (get paid) to put it out. Not a very populated area at all but such a loss.

Sometimes I think we still have a wild west mentality. Like, there is still somewhere to go. Maybe. Probably not. You make your choices based on lots of individual factors. Weather, cost of living, value, social, hazards, natural or non-natural disasters, density, jobs, AND the effort it takes to reinvent yourself in a totally new area. To me, that was the toughest part, but you work through it. There is no going to the grocery store and getting hung up with a neighbor gabbing in the aisles for 20 mintues. But eventually that happens, too. I just embrace change. Sometimes its a good idea to make a decision to move based on wisdom and good analysis. It can help you grow.

This thread has been really good for me . . . sometimes I get tired of living in two places but now I think it keeps me more flexible. I will be going back to Iowa in a couple of days and my DH is warning me it is COLD; but I have been blessed with a week and a half of beautiful CA weather . . Santa Anna's haven't been too bad. Did some "Black Friday" shopping; worked hard on both houses here (but in shirt sleeves). Will go home to solitude, rest, and quiet. I like sitting with a fire, looking out at the snow falling on the lake. But in January I will enjoy coming back to the hub bub of So Cal. I appreciate both places for what they have to offer. I am thinking there is no perfect place so I will try to enjoy the best of both places instead of complaining about the travel involved.

I think you'e absolutely right,Arlene......I would love to have the change of living in 2 different places.....or even 3. I get bored of just one place so I want to move. Being able to travel more or live in 2 entirely different locales would suit me fine. I don't want to think of being settled here for the rest of my life. We simply don't have the 'draw' or reason to pick one place above any others so it's hard to get motivated into doing it.

Well, humans were nomads for thousands of years. It's only agriculture that settled people down. Which....this being a gardening board....

I finally made the emotional break with my garden and told my husband I was finally ready to move. But.................. we just discovered Kaiser does not extend beyond Santa Clara. We want to move more south. So it looks like we are so stuck and have to move not where we want but to where Kaiser services. We have a few health issues so I do no think we are insurable enough to be able to switch. I am so unhappy!!

I think the deal is that you have to be within 45 miles of a Kaiser hospital, isn't it? Or have they changed that?

Gosh, we have Kaiser down here and I know it's in L.A. - wonder why it doesn't move with you. Maybe they have divisions we don't know about? I know what you mean, though, it certainly would be problem for us. Lucky we don't ever intend to move!

My former FIL had Kaiser in Sunnyvale, moved to Lake Almanor and was cared for in the Kaiser Sacramento network.

You think? I looked at their website but could not find a reference for it. 45 miles might do it.

I would definitely contact Kaiser about this. There's a problem here since we fall between Santa Clara to the north and Ventura County to the south but there are plenty of Kaisers in So Cal. http://members.kaiserpermanente.org/kpweb/facilitydir/entrypage.do

It is amazing how limited Kaiser is. I assumed they were all over California but they are not. They are sure big in the Modesto area.
http://members.kaiserpermanente.org/kpweb/facilitydir/areamap.do

Kaperc, I think they figure if you live too far from their hospital you will end up going to non kaiser hospitals too often at their expense.

And Cambria is 1 place we really wanted to look into too. Shoot.

Of course, Kell, that makes sense. But I would sure check with them and find out for sure if there's something in the area you're thinking about. Actually, we are about 35 miles from my doc's hospital, too. North County San Diego is like being in a different county altogether. The medical group we belong to doesn't come this far north.

I know people here in Cambria who have studio apartments in Bakersfield so they have the address to stay with Kaiser. They live here and go for a few days to Bakersfield for their medical stuff. They chose a humble place here so they could do just that. Don't give up.

Ah baloney, Stell! Nothing in Cambria is humble! It's all grand! I mean that in the sense that Cambria is magnificent, but also just checked californiamoves.com (Coldwell Banker) and they list nothing under 2 mil for Cambria.....sigh

Gypsy, I just saw your thread. Haven't wandered around the garden much lately.

I think you should consider moving up my way and collaborating with me to get a place we could cooperatively own and manage. Now, I know my particular area with my 2 acres of Trinity River doesn't interest you because of it's remoteness as well as issues with the person who may not be named today, but it is the most GORGEOUS country, and both negatives can be overcome. The trip to town used to seem long to me, but now, if I have the time, it's a fun ride and so beautiful coming over the passes to the ocean-reminds me of the coast south of Big Sur coming down Nacimiento Road (spelling).

Water can be an issue in the summer, but never in the winter. I have irrigation and ideas as to how to store water.

Once I ditch the one who cannot be named, the river property - oh my gracious - it could be so much like heaven, unless you need to get a job, like me. I'm used to planning for my needs now - only shop about once a month, make sure I buy 300 pounds of dog food at a time, always have water on hand, etc. Power goes out, we have storms, occasionally snow (like now on the mountains surrounding me), but it's very possible to be prepared. I can easily stay home for weeks on end, if allowed. The PO ladies don't like it much, though. The mail really builds.

I think you need to make a long road trip. Seriously.

Laura, I've considered your area....it's so beautiful there.....and still in Ca. Now that I'm doing the nursery thing I'm better off in an area with more people as a customer base unless I eventually go to mail order and I don't want to do that. We coud have some roaring good trips in to Eureka though! I think this next year will be the deciding point as to whether we stay or move. Throw into that equation how much more our property values drop here and if we have any more wildfires. Wish we'd sold a year ago!

Eureka...now that's a town I don't like, but it's where I've gotta go most of the time. Redding the other way. Now that I'm working closer to Weaverville, I need to start exploring that town more, other than the grocery store as a pit stop between here and Redding.

You still need to do a road trip up here.