Walnut Creek is actually filled with many expats. Lots of multinational companies have employees choosing to live there and commute into the city because homes are more affordable, schools are good, and they are right on the BART line.

Elk Grove is a suburb of Sac with a great homey feel. Good schools, and you can't get any more diverse.

Second votes for Walnut Creek, Albany, or Davis for schools. You have to be careful going northeast, as many of those areas were pretty depressed not long ago. No one moves to Sacramento or Benecia for the schools. Santa Rosa has some gifted programs.

Marin County schools are pretty drug infested.

Napa ? Weather is great, better than SF, 1h drive from SF if you are out of traffic time. Schools are good

Davis/Sacramento area or San Luis Obispo.

My husband works for a company based in California and flies about 3-4 times a month. We would never relocate based on the amount of times your husband's company is expecting him to be in the office. Unless you are keen to move from this area, I'd stay...

I'm from that area and would move to Davis or Sacramento in a heartbeat. Seriously, I'd love it. Santa Cruz is a great place to live as a young, single hippie (I know. I did it) but I would never, ever raise a family there. I know some great families in Petaluma and Napa.

Another vote for Davis

I liked Petaluma

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Santa Cruz!

too cold and foggy, imo.

It's really not most of the time.
- person who grew up there

Santa Cruz
Willow Glen area of San Jose
Carmel Valley
Davis
Walnut Creek

You could even do one of the nicer areas of Modesto for cheaper.

Honestly, I would rent, down the peninsula. Like San Mateo. Make sure you like it there.

For under $1 million, you could get a house in Novato in Marin and that would keep your options open should a job change occur. Petaluma also an option. I was also going to say Davis -- good schools but weather not as good as Marin. Pacific Grove or Monterey could work but it's a little isolated out there. If you don't mind isolated, you could also look at west Marin.

You can have your pick of places. Personally, I'd go a bit north along the coast. That said, that area may be too small town'ish for you.

Davis is a good blend of city and country, however the air quality and heat is worse inland.

Davis has awful weather, but on balance, worth it. Great schools, great, intellectual atmosphere due to the university.

California Top Tax Rate - 13.3%

VA - 5.75%
DC - 8.955
MD - 5.75%

Have fun out there. Moving to CA is like adding another FICA tax to your payroll deductions!