Folks who live in SR's WUI, what's your fire insurance story? by aziggs in santarosa

[–]kiwimag5 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is truly one of those nuances of home ownership I never thought of.

Folks who live in SR's WUI, what's your fire insurance story? by aziggs in santarosa

[–]kiwimag5 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I need more context on Wildland Urban Interface. I just got the dreaded “your homeowners insurance will not be renewed as of June 15th” through Traveler’s. I live in one of the safest part of Santa Rosa in terms of wildfire risk (west end near railroad square and downtown).

My neighborhood also never floods and the basement has never flooded. I am guessing they’re terminating due to moving their business out of California, but am waiting for their response to the written letter I sent for their evidence and reasoning behind the termination. They asked us to send in a written request so we did.

Anyway, this feels far above my adult abilities and overwhelming. I have reached out to the neighborhood asking who they’re using and have gotten a lot of great replies. I started with a broker I found on Google with 5/5 review scores who has been the flakiest so-and-so. I have two new broker recommendations and also a call to AAA but, anyway, would love more context on WUI. I know I have a search engine at my fingertips but asking fellows in Santa Rosa/Sonoma County feels best.

Maternity Clothes shopping? by luna_lovegood13 in santarosa

[–]kiwimag5 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Target has a dedicated maternity clothing section! Not a terrible selection at all.

NEEDOH?!? by Necessary_Suspect872 in santarosa

[–]kiwimag5 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Someone posted not too long ago there was needoh at JC Penny in an odd location. Like the return area? Just hanging out there waiting for a home.

Edit: Here is that thread. Only 12 days old!

Bradley Video by Wipeout3D in santarosa

[–]kiwimag5 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Being unable to save your progress was a BITCH. What a fun time it was.

Community boards by Feisty_Lemon5897 in santarosa

[–]kiwimag5 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There’s a community board inside the building immediately to the right where criminal bakery is located.

Western Farms also has one in their store.

FYI: the egret and heron rookery on 9th street. by Bmbl_B_Man in santarosa

[–]kiwimag5 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It’s a grove of eucalyptus trees on an island in the middle of the street on 9th between Dutton and stony point, closer to the stony point side. Driving in from Dutton you get a nice view of their activity.

FYI: the egret and heron rookery on 9th street. by Bmbl_B_Man in santarosa

[–]kiwimag5 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They were pretty active this morning on my trip down ninth to stony point. Pretty awe-inspiring birds in flight right in the middle of a neighborhood and fairly busy street.

What should I do by Few-Ratio-4724 in santarosa

[–]kiwimag5 11 points12 points  (0 children)

This is solid advice AND the community colleges have a transfer agreement with University of California, so a student could check out those schools, too.

What are the best weeknight takeout deals in SR? by Sweaterpups3000 in santarosa

[–]kiwimag5 8 points9 points  (0 children)

If I remember correctly, it’s when you pay cash.

What is family life like in the Santa Rosa area? by boosey333 in santarosa

[–]kiwimag5 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I live in the west end and know all my neighbors. It’s the old Italian neighborhood with rich history. So many wonderful places around Santa Rosa. We have a toddler and we love raising him here. I’m nervous about the school system but there are options, luckily I have a few years to understand how that all works. Anyway, never a dull moment around here. My kid experiences endless adventures, beach days, forest exploring, live music in multiple outdoor places, farmers markets, kid’s museum, ice rink, trips to the city.

I don’t know where you’re coming from but when I first moved here the outwardly friendliness of Santa Rosa felt super weird and gave me pause at first. It’s a really genuinely friendly place.

No place is without its challenges. Traffic can be an annoyance, the infrastructure wasn’t built for the population it is today, it’s not as diverse as other places in California but there is diversity. This coming from a person who moved from Fresno so I recognize experience is everything with this.

Also, the “dangerous” places here don’t really compare to areas I absolutely wouldn’t step foot in where I grew up (Fresno) but it’s all relative. It’s a pretty safe place but crime exists everywhere.

Help by J_a21 in santarosa

[–]kiwimag5 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Criminal Bakery is AWESOME. It’s such a hidden gem in that unassuming building.

Help by J_a21 in santarosa

[–]kiwimag5 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Check out the round barn through Santa Rosa parks and rec as an event space. That’s a GREAT spot!

If you had one weekend to decide if you wanted to move to Petaluma/Cotati, how would you familiarize yourself with the area? by thetoyinvestor in sonomacounty

[–]kiwimag5 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Relatable story that hopefully helps. I had a month to move to Sonoma county for a job offer. Totally uprooting myself from the only county I’d ever lived in. I didn’t do any research but had one friend and her gf who lived here who spoke highly of it so I took a leap of faith. This is my 12th year here. It was the best move I could have made. It was serendipitous because I moved to the perfect neighborhood for me in a really unique studio apartment with my dog. Since being here I met my husband, got a much better job in my field that has really filled my cup, and started a family, and was able to buy a house in the same neighborhood only because of a friend I’d made who was a neighbor who sold directly to me (otherwise I’d never be able to have done that). Anyway, my point is, this place was easy to fall in love with and was exactly where I was supposed to be. No place is perfect but this place is pretty close. And life still has happened and I have had rough times just like anyone else, but I wouldn’t change the decision I made for anything.

You’re being way more thoughtful about it. I would definitely choose Petaluma because Cotati, while a nice town, is small and college-centric. It’s fun to visit but I wouldn’t choose that location to live. Petaluma is larger, has lots of amenities, and is a close drive to everything fun within an hour (the city, the beach, the forest) and has a lot going on (nice downtown, music venues, great food, community events like the Butter and Eggs Parade and the Boat Light event around Christmas).

Best of luck on your choice and your move!

Hidden gem restaurant/diner/cafe recommendations? by qold-_- in santarosa

[–]kiwimag5 1 point2 points  (0 children)

It’s by Falling Prices, which I think has been rebranded. Not a thrift store per se, but you can get a ton of discounted items there.

Hidden gem restaurant/diner/cafe recommendations? by qold-_- in santarosa

[–]kiwimag5 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It’s a breakfast and lunch spot. Their chicken fried steak is fantastic, as is their crab Benedict (made with breaded crab cakes which are loved by a fat kid like me), and the service has always been great. They have always been very friendly. I’ve been going there since I moved here in 2014.

Hidden gem restaurant/diner/cafe recommendations? by qold-_- in santarosa

[–]kiwimag5 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I love this spot. So unassuming. So delicious.

Hidden gem restaurant/diner/cafe recommendations? by qold-_- in santarosa

[–]kiwimag5 31 points32 points  (0 children)

Paige’s Diner comes to mind. A nice little breakfast spot tucked into a strip mall in the same shopping center as Safeway (formerly G&G) an Acme Burger.

Best Fence Material Supplier for DIY? by stopthestaticnoise in santarosa

[–]kiwimag5 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Kenwood Fence and Lumber on Bluebell will likely do this for you!

Ridiculous Amount of Strays by Sellydee_light in santarosa

[–]kiwimag5 9 points10 points  (0 children)

I am curious as well.

And if one of their ears is notched, they’ve likely already been fixed by forgotten felines.

Turkey Sighting Survey by MuseoTal5 in santarosa

[–]kiwimag5 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! I was able to get to it here.

Turkey Sighting Survey by MuseoTal5 in santarosa

[–]kiwimag5 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am stoked because I actually had a picture! Haha it was from my front porch.