Every now and then I allow myself to dream, looking at online pictures of homes in places that I’ve never even visited. The draw is usually a combination of lifestyle & affordability…perhaps a home with small acreage, on the water somewhere, at a price that won’t even get you a tear-down in Danville. Every time, as I ponder the possibilities, reality sets in.
The high cost of real estate in our community isn’t just about our homes, it’s about the magic combination of convenient, quality services, together with our beautiful surroundings. So many of us originally moved to Danville because it had exceptional public schools, parks & recreation for our children, while also being commutable to so many employment hubs…as well as being strategically close to the coast, wine country & Lake Tahoe. Add in our mild climate and low crime rate, and you’ll start to remember why people are willing to pay so much for a home here.
Fast forward 20 years and perhaps your children have left the nest and you may have the option to retire or work remotely. Here comes the temptation again! Perhaps it’s time to follow your dreams and move someplace beautiful, far, far away? If you’re thinking about a big change, be sure to also consider what your new dream home location may not have.
The biggest thing that brings people back, after making a move to someplace more rural is quality, convenient medical care. While this is a bigger concern for our older population, it’s really a concern for everyone, at any age. Sometimes, fast, immediate care can make the difference between life and death. Even if it’s not life threatening, an unexpected medical concern can suddenly mean lots of follow up appointments. That’s a challenge in the best of circumstances -imagine driving for hours to each appointment!
Let’s admit it. We’re all pretty spoiled here when it comes to food. Whether you enjoy cooking and having access to a plethora of markets for fresh ingredients, within minutes of home…or whether you like dining out and having an abundance of amazing options, not far from home, you’ll want to give this subject some thought. I’ll never forget visiting a relative who lives in a very (beautiful) remote area. I was informed that we needed to be sure to plan to go to the local grocery store on a specific day and time, because that is when the fresh produce for the week comes in — WOW! Needless to say, we went at the right time, and I was shocked by the very limited selection of options, in all departments.
Access to great medical and food are not the only factors to consider. Unless you don’t plan to go anywhere, and you don’t plan to have anyone come to visit you in your new home, be sure to factor in the distance to an airport. As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, it’s really important to do your homework, before moving out of the area. Spend some time researching all aspects of your desired lifestyle that are important to you, as well as weather, insurability, property taxes & more. Pursuing your dream can be absolutely wonderful, as long as you make well thought out decisions to make sure that you will be happy in your new location.
Every move and home sale is unique. Please feel free to reach out to me at 925-964-5010 or via email at Lisa.Hopkins@Compass.com with questions or for a custom analysis. Even if you’re not planning to move, I’m happy to help by providing you with relevant data, enabling you to make a well informed decision. It’s never too early to start planning for success.
