California vs. Rhode Island

I don't know much about Sacramento, but I can't say enough nice things about Providence.  The Mrs. and I have continually spoken about moving there.  We visit the state at least once a year and have a hard time leaving.

It is just so awesome, water, ocean, beaches everywhere.  Some definitely non-touristy areas you can go to.  Skiing a couple hours away in NH / VT.

Plus, if you move to Providence, you can run the Narrangansett 10 Miler with me in late July.

Then again, I prefer the East Coast for living...

you can also learn to speak in their funny little accent... 

Climates are not the same, no  You will find that New Englanders are VERY different from West Coasters, even though both tend to be on the liberal side. I've really not spent much time in Rhode Island (just the bus station and airport in Providence) - Providence is small, not sure how much is "there". But New England in general is pretty, the coast is beautiful, and it's close to Boston (as in, people commute to Boston from Providence) and relatively close to NYC. I am also very biased against New England and Boston (aka the best city in the world)

learn to sail, you could sail down to see the kids... 

or better yet - get a kick-aZZ OWS from Newport, RI to Savannah

Yes, there is a lot of winter there, but there are also definite seasons, which I happen to enjoy. And New England winters, are very pretty, albeit cold - you get used to it, really. Plus, on the ocean like that, the winters aren't as "dry" and dreary, like they are, for example in the northern midwest.

I have never been to CA, so cannot compare.  Am a native RIer and love it here.  I am 10 mins from (clean) ocean, within driving distance to Boston, NYC, skiing/boarding, etc.  I love the 4 seasons, don't love the extreme heat/cold

 For me, the biggest thing would be to live closer to children.

Good luck making your decision, I am sure it will be difficult

Well for starters, you'd become a part of the "New England Mafia" and we'd welcome you into that (assuming you make it through the trial period of course). 

Not sure about Providence itself, but my experience with RI is that the road markings basically suck.  You start out on "Route xx" and suddenly you realize you haven't seen a route marking sign for miles and you have no idea where you are or how you got there.  Fortunately, the state is so small that driving an hour in any direction puts you out of it. 

....don't forget the hazing..... 

Didn't you JUST move here? And if you "really, really really hate winter" than probably the LAST place in the US that you want to be is New England.

That's like saying you really really really don't like sharks and yet you want to swim in Tomales Bay everday. 

Not sure how being able to buy a house but "really really really" hating the weather 5 months of the year is gonna balance out.

In terms of housing market Metro Boston is not as bad as CA and RI is not as bad as Boston. 

But winter might be a problem if you don't like it.  I grew up in sub-tropical climate but also enjoy the winter here in MA.  The relatively short distance to everywhere is a plus.  Not more than 2 hours I can drive from the city to the beach/ski area/casino.  Summer is hot enough for OWS and winter is cold enough to ski.  Fall is beautiful. 

give it another year or three and affordability will return

I meant wait until the recession hits CA real estate full force.

OR

- you like sunshine

- you like cycling

- your kids live in Savannah

why not look in the Atlanta area?