Larry Guess:  

In October of 2012 I opened a new chapter in my life: I sold the Bixby Knolls my family had lived in for close to 40 years and moved to Northern California. I bought a small 3 bedroom 2 bath house (a considerable downsize from the 5 bedroom 5 bath 3250 sq. ft. house I sold) that is on 16 heavily wooded acres above Nevada City/Grass Valley. In addition to my house the property included a 2 bedroom guest house and a 1600 square foot workshop. Last year I had a 3 bedroom 2 bath house installed (it's a manufactured/modular house) about 150 yards up the hill from my house. Oldest son RJ and his wife Claudia live in it. Advantages: Incredibly quiet, little traffic, no gangs, beautiful views, fishing nearby, and a lot of history (this is gold rush country). Disadvantages: Difficult to meet new friends, and the nearest grocery store or just about anything else is 5 miles from my house. I am a widower; my wife, Judy, died 7 years ago. ...Expand for more