Hi! I am considering moving to the town of Sonoma as I have been offered a good job there? BUT, I have some reservations about just how small this place really is! I am from a city of 3 million people and am quite the urbanite but that feel that I could adapt quite easily if needed! I have never been there or even the visited the West Coast for that matter as I am from the east. Would it be hard for a single-guy to hit it off there or should I stick with the cities?? Thanks!
Considering moving to Sonoma? HELP!
Sonoma is a charming and pretty town. I grew up there, but back before it became a tourist attraction. It is quite busy now, all year round. I gather you want some action, being a single guy. It is only 45 minutes from San Francisco, and 20 miles from Santa Rosa, 30 minutes or less from Napa.
If you have a good job lined up, I would give it a go. The weather is great, It is not exactly a ';burg';, lots of good restaurants, wineries nearby. But beware of housing prices.
If I could, I would move back there, but my husband has ties on the Central Coast he needs to keep. We enjoy visiting San Francisco from where we are and have season theatre tickets and often do the symphony and the ballet, and, less often, the opera. Sorry, I don%26#39;t know the ';singles scene'; in San Francisco, but I am sure somebody here does. Good luck.
:=)
Considering moving to Sonoma? HELP!
If at all possible, come for a visit before you make your decision--unless you wouldn%26#39;t be making huge changes/commitments like leaving another job to take the new one or selling a house where you live now. It would also help if you have a sense of adventure! Sonoma is a small town by any standard, about 10,000 residents. Santa Rosa, the largest town in the County has a pop. of about 160,000 (those of us who remember it when it was way under 100,000 think it%26#39;s BIG now). And the entire County of Sonoma has less than half a million people--so much smaller than the large metropolitan area you currently live in. Another thing that may be a plus or minus--the County is pretty liberal politically. Not quite as ';left wing'; as San Francisco, but definitely has a strong liberal cast to it. Another really important factor is the high cost of housing. A ';nothing special'; tract-home (resale, not new) is $600,000+ and a one-bedroom apt. in a nice area is $1,000/mo. There are certainly exceptions, but this is the norm. A Website for the City of Sonoma is: www.sonomacity.org. Let us know if you have any other specific questions--and do come out to visit!
Thanks for the answers! This is an important decision that could impact the rest of my life! The town sounds very clean and judging by what is written on here, people seem very friendly. But how do the locals react to outsiders moving in? Can you make friends easy? How are the neighboring communities? Boys Hot Springs in particular? And finally, are there any palm trees in Sonoma?
Since most residents tend to be ';from somewhere else'; within the past 10 yrs., you%26#39;ll find a lot of interest if you%26#39;re new in town. Everyone seems to love to share stories re: how long they%26#39;ve lived here, where they moved from and what made them decide to relocate. It%26#39;s a great ';opener'; for conversations with strangers. Within incorporated towns like Sonoma, you%26#39;ll be welcomed by just about everyone. There are a few places in the more rural areas where some oldtimers are known to be less than welcoming to newbies, but it really is a rare thing. Boyes Hot Springs is still mostly a working class (and hence, less expensive) neighborhood as compared to Sonoma proper. However, that has been changing and there are enclaves of solidly middle/upper middle class areas within Boyes Hot Springs and Agua Caliente (both are unincorporated towns). A number of the older properties which were in disrepair have been bought and revitalized. There actually are a smattering of palm trees and we have a specialty nursery called Neon Palm right in Santa Rosa. There%26#39;s also a fabulous nursery called Sonoma Mission Gardens on Craig Ave. in the town of Sonoma where you can go for info. on a variety of palms and all other plants/trees. Plus there are numerous botanical gardens within striking distance of the town of Sonoma where you can view some pretty impressive old palm trees.
This is a a wonderful town to live in, but there does seem to be a shortage of eligible bachelors. We constantly see groups of very attractive young women (20s %26amp; 30s) in our restaurants and bars, and we have friends who are single women who complain often about the shortage of datable guys.
Our kids live in New York, Seattle and Portland, but they love to visit us here, as do their friends. Our guest rooms are often occupied. Sonoma is still a small town by most standards, but it is no longer an agricultural backwater. Our neighbors include film producers, high tech entrepreneurs, actors, investment bankers -- the ';wine country lifestyle'; is attractive to a broad spectrum. There are lots of special events here, including superb film and jazz festivals, celebrations of wine and food, auto racing, professional golf -- you name it.
The locals are decidedly friendly. By all means, come on out for a visit. Get yourself a cold one and pull up a chair at the sidwalk patio cafe in front of the Swiss Hotel, on the Plaza. Strike up a conversation with the people at the next table -- you%26#39;ll find true western hospitality here in Sonoma. Just don%26#39;t go back home and tell everybody.... and bring big sacks-full of money if you want to buy a house.
Thanks so much to everyone who responded to my questions about Sonoma. It did in a lot of ways play a role in my decision (along with some other finer points like salary etc..lol!) I am very proud to say that I have accepted the offer and soon you will get a new neighbor! Looking forward to living and working in your town and being so close to San Fran is such a bonus! I%26#39;m sure I will have more question so bare (sp?) with me when I ask them! Thanks! :)
Congratulations on your job, and welcome to California and especially the Sonoma Valley. May your relocation go smoothly.
Ditto to all Puter said--';Welcome to Sonoma County';!!
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