the retirement question would play a critical role for me too.
in my area, ponds are very RARE, and most have fatal problems every summer. JHAP's is really special cause its spring fed, and i'm VERY fortunate to have a year round puddle at the property i live on. i'd rather not spend all that time driving as well, but in my line of work you have to. its not unusual for me to be out the door at 4:30am and on a jobsite 150 miles away by 0730am, put in a full day, and get home by 7 or 8 at night. you get used to it. rural properties close to urban centers dont exist anymore because of the sprawl. if you choose to live in a rural area, but have to work in the city, you have also chosen to spend alot of time driving.
if you like CA (and there is actually alot to like about it), want a rural property, want a pond, it easily becomes one of those "you cant always get what you want" situations.....finding an affordable rural property is a whole nother story. finding an affordable property w/ a pond that stays full all year is next to impossible. just providing a left coast perspective.
every time i travel back east i marvel at how much water there is, how often it rains in the summer, how affordable properties are (relative to CA)...you guys are really blessed that way...
great question that touched some nerves in me big_pond.......good luck, let us know what you decide.
