Many people move to the Half Moon Bay Coastside for lifestyle reasons - very fresh air, outdoor recreation in your backyard, small town feel, close to San Francisco but not in the city itself. Average home prices in the area currently are in the $800K range, down from over $1 million during the peak. More at www.mariansbennett.com - Coastside Real Estate and Lifestyles. To give you a range of prices in peninsula towns, Pacifica's average sale price in the first half of 2009 was $548,000K and Burlingame's averrage sale price during the same time was $1,266,000.
Marian Bennettof CA11:34AM August 10, 2009
Santa Barbara is a jewel and if you ever get the chance to visit do so. It is a wonderful place to live and raise a family.
Kevin Schmidtchen
Blog: www.SantaBarbaraRealEstateVoice.com
Kevin Schmidtchenof CA6:06AM August 02, 2009
SMALL TOWN. ISLAND. LOW CRIME RATE.LAGOON ACCESS.BOATING ON BAY. CLOSE TO EVERTHING.
DOVEY NETHof CA8:30PM July 31, 2009
As a long time resident, I can attest that the year round quality of life in Santa Barbara rivals that of just about anywhere else in the world. I have travelled the French & Italian Riviera, which look very similar to Santa Barbara, but dont come close to providing the everyday quality of life and conveniences of Santa Barbara. The average temperature year round is approximately 72 degrees. There are more than 360 day of sunshine. Santa Barbara is a small oceanfront resort community that must be experienced to be appreciated.
Wendy Graggof CA8:53PM July 17, 2009
Rather interesting. Has few times re-read for this purpose to remember. Thanks for interesting article. Waiting for trackback
derekpmof AL6:07PM July 12, 2009
Naples has been my home since 1994. It's grown and changed in many ways but remains a charming small town even as it offers 'big city' amenities (plus an enviable climate and wonderful sunsets). The crime rate is low, traffic (though bad in 'season') is nowhere near the level of congestion you would find elsewhere, including Florida's East Coast, and you have so many other opportunities like great dining, shopping, galleries, outdoor recreation that aren't always available in smaller towns...what's not to love?
Karenof FL11:52AM July 08, 2009
I have been a resident of Naples since 2002. In 2004, we had a son and in 2007, we had a daughter. I spent a few years looking at many locations up and down the East Coast looking for the perfect place to raise my family. You know what I found? Naples is the perfect place. No need to move. The weather is great. The schools are great with many options, both private and public. Parks, a zoo, the beach, a new children's museum, the Phil (which has many wonderful children's programs) and awesome libraries. What more can one ask for? Naples is a place I am proud to call my home.
Kathleenof FL9:53PM July 06, 2009
San Francisco, the actual city itself, is usually overcast, windy, cold, and damp. The weather is one of the detractors of the city's appeal for me. If the overcast-windy-cold-damp were merely characteristics of a passing season, I'd tolerate it better. Instead, I find that the weather stays this way maybe 85-90% of the year. Outside of city limits, one finds more sunshine, it's true. But SF reminds me more of Seattle than of Santa Barbara in terms of quantity of sunshine.
alice h.of CA6:34AM July 06, 2009
Not as much attention should be paid to weather conditions. I personally prefer traditional freezing temperatures during X-mas season rather than warmth of Honolulu. Also, keep in mind that people who actually determine quality of life in a city work indoors and are not affected by weather conditions. So if you reduce weather criteria in calculating city payoff, NY & Boston move higher.
NYerof NY9:36AM June 30, 2009
As a 27 year resident of this wonderful coastal community, I wouldn't want to live any where else. I've lived in some of the most sought after areas of the U.S. and this is as close to perfect as I have found. Great place to raise a family, ideal climate, educated populace, we have ocean and mountains and clean air. It's not perfect, but pretty darn close.
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Marian Bennett of CA 11:34AM August 10, 2009
Kevin Schmidtchen of CA 6:06AM August 02, 2009
DOVEY NETH of CA 8:30PM July 31, 2009
Wendy Gragg of CA 8:53PM July 17, 2009
derekpm of AL 6:07PM July 12, 2009
Karen of FL 11:52AM July 08, 2009
Kathleen of FL 9:53PM July 06, 2009
alice h. of CA 6:34AM July 06, 2009
NYer of NY 9:36AM June 30, 2009
Bob C. of CA 12:20PM June 29, 2009