$100k a year, no longer in Lexington
changea dispatch from
santa rosa
CA
38.44°N
122.71°W
Santa Rosa is the gateway to Sonoma wine country, less polished than Napa but more lived-in. Charles Schulz lived here and the Snoopy museum is a delight. The Russian River redwoods are 30 minutes west. The city itself has rebuilt impressively after the 2017 fires, with a downtown that mixes wineries, breweries, and farm-to-table restaurants. Cooler than San Francisco in summer.
the verdict
the monthly cost of moving past Lexington
Santa Rosa is the expensive option. The argument has to be entirely about the place, not the price.
a quick ledger.
$2,597/mo
75% more expensive than Lexington(vs $1,488/mo)
9.3%
$400/mo more in state tax than Lexington
vs 4.5% in Lexington
$4,961/mo
$1,509 less than Lexington
gross of federal tax. a comparison, not a paycheck.
$817k
152% more expensive than Lexington
vs $324k in Lexington
482k
vs 520k in Lexington
field notes, weather & such.
254
pleasant days a year, in santa rosa.
Lexington barely cracks 171 pleasant ones. Hot stretches show up, though: 28 days above 95° here, 1 in Lexington.
98% fewer events than Lexington. The pace eases up.
69/100
15% higher than Lexington
vs 60/100 in Lexington
Closest outdoor draw: Sonoma Coast State Park, 17.4 mi.
98/100
11% higher than Lexington
vs 88/100 in Lexington
4
69% fewer than Lexington
vs 13 nonstops in Lexington
if santa rosa appeals, also worth a look:
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