If you want to live in So cal, then Temecula is about as close as you can get to what you are looking for. 300k will get you a nice house here but I think 75k a year would be the minimum to get by, 100k and you are comfortable.
But if you are just looking to avoid snow, perhaps central california or northern california might suit your needs better. You can live in a more remote place if you are trying to live on the cheap.
I have never lived in central or northern california but there are places that have gotten whacked by foreclosures up there and the cost of living and the median income is lower. One example is Merced, now before everyone jumps on me, let me say I’ve never been there, I have no idea what it is like but it has a few things going for it. Massive foreclosures, a UC school and a household income of less than half of Temecula.
Of course Merced was ranked #370 out of #373 cities in the sperling guide of places to live, so maybe it’s California’s Detroit. But the fact that their home prices peaked at 330k median and have lost 2/3 of their value makes me think the OP can probably buy a place for almost what his equity is. Paying cash for a house and being protected by prop 13, retirement is an option.
I only offer other options because I live in Temecula and I don’t see how I could live and raise kids on the numbers the OP is quoting.
