Northern California - Hello there, and here's the choice!

I normally hang out on 50+, and you can see some of my piffling there

However whatever

I was lucky enough to meet the love'o, bride'o a while ago. She's from Santa Cruz, I'm from Northern UK, we have lived together in Indonesia, Kuwait and, currently, Bahrain. We have houses, rented out, in South West London UK overlooking Richmond Park, and in Santa Cruz

Anyway, I fell off a bike and broke my leg last October. My employer has been very good, paid my hospital bills, and wants me to stay

But you know, with a big kickback like that at age 55, I'm wondering where I'd like to be - Hmm, Northern California coast, Hmm, small Middle Eastern Island???

Any tandem riders in N Cal want to say 'come on in'?

I've lived and grew up in 5 different countries. Traveled to over 35 countries in my life. I've worked all over the United States. I'm retired and could live anywhere I want. I choose to make my home in Northern California (I'm 45 miles up Highway1 from Santa Cruz). Best place in the world. Climate, geography, social awareness, cultural diversity. Unbelievable cycling conditions all around.

Other than that, there's no reason to live here :-)

Hello Wobbly

I too hang out in the 50+ forum, and grew up overseas (Hong Kong). I moved to San Jose recently from the east coast of the US, semi voluntarily. There are nice things about the area, but there are other things that are less nice - I suppose like anywhere. I work in the high tech industry, so from a professional standpoint, I am in mecca, but I am not sure that I would choose to retire in CA.

My top things that I like about the Northern Cal:

1) Climate
2) Social Awareness
3) Cultural activities
4) Generally well maintained roads.
5) Better than average public transit (for the US)

Things that I don't like about the area:

1) Traffic (they tell me that it is not bad now, that the recession has done wonders, but I am glad that I so rarely have to drive a car!)
2) High cost of living - not just housing, but everything seems to be more expensive here.
3) I have yet to find a good butcher or fishmonger in the area - Any suggestions would be welcomed!
4) The area is really designed to be navigated on the freeways, which are closed to bicycles. Crossing freeways is a major issue for the cyclist, with most roads that offer over or under passes being major arterials with poor cycling accomodation - plus the fact that you have to navigate freeway on/off ramps.

3) I have yet to find a good butcher or fishmonger in the area - Any suggestions would be welcomed!



THE place for fish:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/tokyo-fish-market-berkeley-2

... I'm wondering where I'd like to be - Hmm, Northern California coast, Hmm, small Middle Eastern Island???

Any tandem riders in N Cal want to say 'come on in'?

What the heck kind of choice is that??! Who would want to retire on a small Middle Eastern Island (no offense to all our small Middle Eastern Island friends on this subforum...)?

There's lots to like about this area, starting with the cycling, but others have already pointed out very good reasons to not want to retire here with a fixed income...

I think you and the bride should keep looking for other choices. :)

THE place for fish:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/tokyo-fish-market-berkeley-2

Thanks for the suggestion, but I am living car-free in San Jose, so Berkeley is a bit far to go to buy some fish....

Thanks for the suggestion, but I am living car-free in San Jose, so Berkeley is a bit far to go to buy some fish....

Have you tried Race Street Fish & Poultry Market? I remember it being pretty good. haven't been in a few years, since I'm not downtown much anymore, but the yelp reviews still seem pretty positive.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/race-street-fish-and-poultry-market-san-jose

Have you tried Race Street Fish & Poultry Market?

Thanks! This looks like a good place to check out - I'll ride down there tomorrow!

Take this with the appropriate "I've never been to a small Middle Eastern island" salt, but Santa Cruz area all the live long day!


What the heck kind of choice is that??! Who would want to retire on a small Middle Eastern Island (no offense to all our small Middle Eastern Island friends on this subforum...)?To tower over all the small Middle Eastern people who inhabit the island? :P

I'd go with Santa Cruz. I remember being in "The Gulf" and it's a bit warm for my liking. The weather in Santa Cruz is always temperate.

I've never eaten at the Race Street Fish Market, but delivered their mail, and the smell was GOOD.