Where, oh where to finally settle down and at long last make our new home?
Northern California or Southern Oregon are current candidates in my mind.
Karina is interested in Northern Carolina.
But if she thinks California is too far from family, then that certainly would be outrageously far.
So, assuming that OR and CA are candidates.
Where's the best locations to look at?
....

I grew up in Santa Rosa, CA. I have stayed/visited/lived in the following:
Fremont
Santa Rosa
Bay Area (all over)
Sand Diego
Palm Springs
San Fernando valley
Ukiah
Cobb Mountain
Clear Lake
Healdsburgh
Bodega Bay

Out of those places, the ones that have appealed so far are:
Ukiah/Mendocino/Cobb Mountain area and Bodega Bay area.
However Mendocino and Bodega Bay themselves are a bit too cool and rainy.

It is 60 miles via Highway 101 from the center of Ukiah to the center of SantA Rosa and 100 miles from downtown San Fran.
It's really nice an temperate around low 40's to high 80's year round.
Population in town= 16,000
Entire area= 35,000
Entire county (mendocino)=85,000
Average income=$37,000
The record high temp though is 115f (ouch) and record low is 13f (brrr).Elevation 610 feet.
And it's only 50 miles to the coast.
I don't think I want to live right IN Ukiah, but the surrounding area is gorgeous.
There are quite a few schools both public and private:
<a href="http://www.ukiah.com/living/schools/index.shtml">http://www.ukiah.com/living/schools/index.shtml</a>
7 public elementary
1 public special ed
2 public middle schools
2 public high schools
2 public adult schools/community colleges
7 private schools including a Waldorf school K-8th.
There are many colleges and University outlets within 1 hour's drive too.
There are many recreational and therapeutic facilities all over the area within 1 hour's drive as well as some right in the area.
Homes average around $120,000 to $200,000 for 5 bedrooms and 2 bath+ homes in the surrounding area.
Still seems Ukiah area is a perfect little spot still not overwhelmed with population, with nice climate, and enough population and development to raise a family in and have enough work.

Meanhile in Oregon.
Medford
record low=-10f
record high=115f
altitude=1,400'
avg snowfall=8 inches
population
    city=65,000
    county=175,000
avg home=90,000 to 150,000
avg income=38,000
Too cold and too hot and too much snow for my tastes, though maybe Karina will like the seasons being defined, but not extreme.
Klmath Falls is gorgeous looking but not much work and a long ways away from any major cities.
And the weather is a bit extreme on the cold side.
Population
    city=18,000
    county=60,000

Roseburg:
avg temp
    hi=86f
    low=35f
extremes/records
    hi=109f
    low=3f
precipitation avg=20-40 inches/yr
snowfall=rare
growing season=217 days
altitude=400 to 600'
distance to nearest decent size city (eugene)=70 miles
Looks like mostly a recreational/tourist town witout much in the way of work, but seems pretty, with fairly temperate weather and precip. It's wine country for Oregon. I definitely want to research there more.
population
    city=21,000
    county=100,000
schools=
avg income=42,000 (60k for 4 person family)
avg house cost= $100k to 200k for 5 bed 2 bath+
1.5 hours from pacific coast.
100 miles from Crater Lake
exotic wild animal drive-through park in winston
roseburgh property tax=1%/yr

california sales tax=7.25%
special notes
california property taxes=
notes
california state income tax=1.0% to 9.3%
plus $0 to $1,904.13

oregon sales tax=0.00
oregon property taxes=
    Jackson county=
County based, not state.

oregon state income tax=5% to 9%
notes


Oregon Recreational Therapy schools
Near Roseburg


Oregon recreational therapy work
Near Roseburg

California Recreation Therapy Schools
Near Ukiah


California Recreational therapy work
Near Ukiah


North Carolina information:
Sales tax=7.5%
Income tax=6% to 8.25% + $8,722.50
humidity average 80-100% !!!
hieghest temp=108
lowest temp=-7f
Houses, 5 bedroom+ 1.5 bath+
average 90k to 200k
hurricanes and issue too.
yuck.