How we made our escape from the city and changed our lives

Our adventure

We had a dream to move out of Southern California away from the congestion and stress and switch from the daily commute to living in paradise in the Sierra foothills. Here is how we made the big move!

Sunset on the lake

Sunset on the lake

Our Move:

From Fullerton, CA to the foothills just south of Yosemite in 2005

Our former life was spent in this small house in Fullerton where the kids were raised

Our former life was spent in this small house in Fullerton where the kids were raised

Old life:

Businesses in the city, him, motorcycle media, me, wedding photography and raising teens.

New Life:

Him, Semi-retired.  Me, gardener, photographer, blogger
In the five years we had before we moved we really had no idea how we’d do it.  We were true ‘flatlanders.’

The view that grabbed our attention and began our dream. Could we imagine 'living' here?!

The view that grabbed our attention and began our dream. Could we imagine ‘living’ here?!

 

When we decided:

When the real estate agent showed us a view property and our friends here said they’d help us do it. After dreaming of moving anywhere away from suburbia, we ‘tried on’ many towns and areas before settling on the resort area of Oakhurst/North Fork, two miles away from our old vacation spot at Bass Lake. Forest access nearby was important and the very active community was attractive, featuring special events nearly every weekend.

 

Bass Lake Antique and Wooden Boat Show at the Pines Resort

Bass Lake Antique and Wooden Boat Show at the Pines Resort

 

Looking down our driveway

Looking down our driveway

 

Parking on the driveway, getting ready to walk the property for the first time.

Parking on the driveway, getting ready to walk the property for the first time.

One weekend, we looked for a property with one to three acres, but found this one on the side of a ridge with seven acres in a natural area snugged up against the Sierra national Forest. We put in an offer that same weekend. It was 2000, stocks were way down and land was a better place to stash funds for a down payment….we took a year to pay it off.

This shows part of the 'circle drive' roughly bulldozed to show where a house could be planned.

This shows part of the ‘circle drive’ roughly bulldozed to show where a house could be planned.

 

The area just in front of where the house could be built,...this was the clearest area on the place.

The area just in front of where the house could be built,…this was the clearest area on the place.

 

The center section of the land

The center section of the land

 

The High Country

The High Country

We love driving the back roads and this location set us up near a network of roads between Oakhurst and Sacramento where two of our five kids live.

 

What we gave up:

Five minutes to a Target or grocery store.  Being close to the family still in Orange County.

Bass Lake from above

Bass Lake from above

 

What we gained:

A fresh clean, beautiful environment, good motorcycling friends nearby, little traffic through forest lined roads to town plus our dream house, casual and camp-like that we were able to help design at a very reasonable price.

Road 200

Road 200

The diary entry – October 2000-The adventure begins…we buy property

Next: How we found a home builder

4 comments

  1. Desiree -

    A dream that you both tackled head-on and look at what your determination and staying power has achieved! You are now the envy of us all! We, too, have been ‘dreaming’ of a property large enough to give our five dogs plenty of carefree, safe space in which to run, play and explore and where we could build a small, easy little cottage to escape to, until we retire. We’ve been looking, but so far nothing ideal has knocked on our door. If it looks good, the price is way beyond our reach. If the price is attractive, the place is grotty.

    I had to laugh at your son’s comment. My daughter would have had the same viewpoint, I’m sure. I never think of things like that. I’m just immediately attracted by the beauty and silence of places off the beaten track.

    You have created a perfect Eden all of your own, Sue and, as I’ve said before, a legacy of love. Even across the vast distances between us, I can feel the peaceful feeling that emanates from your garden. I said once before, it’s the kind of place I’d wish to have my ashes scattered 😉

    Big hug

    Des xoxo

    • Sue Langley -

      Thanks so much, Des….I thought I’d post a bit on how the house was built and what we did to make it home for us. Maybe it will inspire someone else to take on and enjoy a similar project. Do you have ‘baby boomers’ in South Africa? Well, many will be retiring soon here in the States and may soon be in our situation. I hope you find a dream spot someday, too, although the house and garden you have now is dreamy enough for anyone, I think!

    • Sue Langley -

      Same story as so many in our area! Lots I’ve talked to come from LA or SF areas. Livin’ the dream… 🙂

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