How North? The problem is Northern California is huge and varies so much. I live on the Peninsula, south of SF and I want to leave, but I'm sort of stuck here. Stay away from the Bay Area, it's impossible unless you're in tech. I'd go East, to Grass Valley/Nevada City, or North to Humboldt County: Arcata/Eureka. Chico is pretty terrible. I'm trying to get a job in Santa Rosa right now and head that way because I have family and ties to the area but even there it's getting too expensive. Hope that gave you some ideas, but I can't stress enough, stay out of the Bay.