The second question in my survey from last January was, if the answer were different today, what is the number one reason you would move to Anderson Valley today? Given the phrasing of the question, I didn't get as many new or different answers, but 63% did respond differently than they had the first time. However, the categories were similar - the beauty of the area, the strength of the community and the weather were all reasons that people would move here now (that might have said something different the first time, such as moving away from the Bay Area or wanting to buy land).
There were about 14% who commented that while they would move here for the same reason they originally came, they felt that if they were to try to move here now they would not be able to afford to do so. That might be true, especially if you moved here in the 1970's and bought 20 acres for $10,000 and built your own house. Today there is less available raw land, what is available is less desirable than what was available back then and most people don't have the time to build there own home - they are too busy holding down a job, a job that likely pays less in terms of money available to spend than it did in 1970.
9% of responders also said that they would not move here today. Some because they do not like how the Valley has changed over time - fewer apple trees, more grapevines; more weekenders, more tourists, etc., etc. Some still think this is a beautiful place but have decided to move on and would not want to live here any longer. Of the latter, I did not get a sense of unhappiness with Anderson Valley, but rather an appreciation of other locales.
The majority, 77%, however, still love it here and wouldn't trade the beauty, weather or community for any other place. I confess that I too fall into that category. I was born here and have watched quite a bit of change over the years. Change is difficult at the best of times, but when I remember the poverty and lack of jobs and quality of education in Anderson Valley when I was a teenager, I embrace the changes that have brought employment, better living conditions and better education to all of our lives.
Next time I'll focus on the last question - what are your favorite things to tell your friends and family about our Valley?