Where should we move?

[mommy2allyandaveri]

We love Disney and would really love to live within a couple of hours of Disneyland or Disney World. Not now, but someday.

I want to live near or in the mountains/woods/trees/ocean. Not too particular, just not insanely expensive. Don't care for the desert environment.

Anyone have any ideas, thoughts or suggestions?

 

[VandVsmama]

What's your definition of "insanely expensive"? What's your frame of reference? From what part of the US would you be moving from?

Pretty much all of CA is expensive compared to many other parts of the US. Cost of living is higher, taxes are all higher, etc.

 

[_19disnA]

OPs profile shows Sacramento, CA.

 

[RamblingMad]

Flagstaff or Prescott AZ.

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

I would actually love to get out of California, but still be pretty close to Disney.

 

[VandVsmama]

I would actually love to get out of California, but still be pretty close to Disney.

Then your only choice would be Florida if no deserts is part of the criteria.

 

[NYCgrrl]

I would actually love to get out of California, but still be pretty close to Disney.

I would suggest you look for a real estate search engine, input how many miles you want to be near/far WDW/DL, school districts ratings, price you want to spend, etc. It' will give spit out places that meet your criteria and you can start narrowing down from there. With children in their tweens and teens doesn't sound like you are ready to retire and thus when Disney is the beginning and end of your needs.

 

[RamblingMad]

I would actually love to get out of California, but still be pretty close to Disney.

Flagstaff is definitely not desert, and it’s about 6.5 hours from DL. Prescott is 6 hours.

 

[Welsh_Dragon]

Wales fits the bill for now not the proximity to Disney long term plan though. .

 

[Lumpy1106]

That depends;

• Job situation?
• Family situation?
• Tolerance to crime?

Being that you are from Sacto, I would NOT recommend the mountain areas in So Cal. Yes, they are pretty, but the weekend warriors in So Cal will drive you NUTS! Just complete amateurs compared to driving up to Tahoe.
I live in Long Beach - moved here when crime was a bit more of an issue, and homes were considerably cheaper in LB than surrounding beach areas. Not anymore - a 2000 sf home in a decent neighborhood will run you +$1 million, unless it's a real fixer-upper. Unfortunately that's about the cheapest you will find that is close to job hubs in LA or Irvine, UNLESS you are willing to take a chance on a more fringe neighborhood like we did. San Pedro falls in the same category BTW.
Bargains can be found in the Inland Empire, but that is an hour plus away from the beach. I have friends that live in Corona and love it. San Bernardino has a lot of the same problems as Stockton - don't do it!
Ventura County is less expensive as long as you can find a job there.

 

[JimMIA]

With none of the necessary information available -- like Lumpy1106 mentioned above -- it's pretty hard to say, except to say that Florida is probably a whole lot better idea than Southern California.

WDW is located in the middle of Central Florida -- about 65 miles from Atlantic beaches (a little over an hour), 90 miles from Gulf beaches (about 2 hours) and with lots of great places in between. North of Orlando you immediately get into rolling hills (no mountains, tho) and south, you're in serious lake country. So basically anywhere in Central Florida would fit many of your criteria.

Cost of living is much lower in Florida, partially because we don't have any state income tax. Lots of good things about Florida -- people moving here are why we're the third largest state in the US.

 

[rkstocke5609]

That depends;

• Job situation?
• Family situation?
• Tolerance to crime?

Being that you are from Sacto, I would NOT recommend the mountain areas in So Cal. Yes, they are pretty, but the weekend warriors in So Cal will drive you NUTS! Just complete amateurs compared to driving up to Tahoe.
I live in Long Beach - moved here when crime was a bit more of an issue, and homes were considerably cheaper in LB than surrounding beach areas. Not anymore - a 2000 sf home in a decent neighborhood will run you +$1 million, unless it's a real fixer-upper. Unfortunately that's about the cheapest you will find that is close to job hubs in LA or Irvine, UNLESS you are willing to take a chance on a more fringe neighborhood like we did. San Pedro falls in the same category BTW.
Bargains can be found in the Inland Empire, but that is an hour plus away from the beach. I have friends that live in Corona and love it. San Bernardino has a lot of the same problems as Stockton - don't do it!
Ventura County is less expensive as long as you can find a job there.

Corona? Not a place I’d want to live. I wouldn’t doubt if property values are dropping.....

 

[mommy2allyandaveri]

I'm honestly not really thinking about jobs. This is more of a wish for the future and I find myself thinking about it more and more as my kids get older and will be thinking about leaving for school (about to have a freshman and senior).

I actually really like the Auburn area, but would love to further south due to our love of Disney.

 

[VandVsmama]

Flagstaff is definitely not desert, and it’s about 6.5 hours from DL. Prescott is 6 hours.

One problem with Flagstaff and Prescott is employment. There aren't many options. And for Arizona, Flagstaff has historically higher housing prices.

 

[low-key]

I admire your guys grit, I would never move without a better job waiting

 

[disneychrista]

I admire your guys grit, I would never move without a better job waiting

Heck I am not even sure I would want to move WITH a better job waiting. Too much unknown. I'd rather have the unknown hit me in a place I am familiar with.

 

[DLgal]

We live in Irvine and love it. Plan to stay forever, as renters. We will never be able to buy a home here, nor do we want to be homeowners. We lucked into a sweet long term rental deal.

 

[Lumpy1106]

Corona? Not a place I’d want to live. I wouldn’t doubt if property values are dropping.....

LOL! I read your post yesterday and didn't even make the connection. Can I change that to "Riverside" so we can keep this from turning into another one of "those" threads?

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Then your only choice would be Florida if no deserts is part of the criteria.

South Carolina isn't that far away, has hills, near ocean, and doesn't have desert...

 

[belle032]

DH & I will eventually relocate to the Carolinas (within the next 7 years is my goal. Just need to get vested in that NYS retirement system!) We like NC, specifically Charlotte & Raleigh. It's appealing to us as you get a little bit of everything....mountains, beach, cities, countryside, etc. You also still get a nice mix of seasons.

My mom lives right outside Charleston, SC and loves it. However, it's growing in population insanely fast and it's a high cost place to live relative to other areas and Southern states. But it's only about 6.5-7 hours to Disney.