Moving to Cali (again)

[CherryBlossom]

Hey ya'll.

I know I've been MIA for the past year, but things have been a bit crazy in my life. As some of you know, I was due to move out to LA last summer when I hit a very unexpected roadblock and had to postpone my move until next summer. While this has given me two more years to save up more money, it really bummed me out (especially going through this past winter on the east coast. ick).

But anyways, at the time I was looking to move to LA for school, but since that isn't an option anymore, I've been open to other places. I was wondering if anyone had any advice for a little New England girl moving out West? Advice on best places to live, what to do, where to go - everything! I want to hear from the locals ;D Any feedback would be really helpful. Feel free to comment below or shoot me a PM. Please be nice!

(I guess this wasn't really a personal moreso as a desperate lunge for guidance but oh well xD)

 

[blondler2]

San Diego no doubt. Best weather in the country, beautiful people everywhere, lots of fun places to go, and most importantly delicious Mexican food.

 

[viviana=best!]

Still LA, especially to start. Experience it while you're younger and then consider San Fran when you're more established. Best of luck, and if you do go to LA, further advice would be to start on the east side of the city and get an apt in Hollywood or Los Feliz.

 

[chiccenw]

Viviana said it best - and if you're looking for any meetups around there let me know!

 

[Maestro1874]

CA is tough all over - the cost of living is atrocious, but the weather and other perks seem to make up for a lot of it. Lots of CA transplants here in Vegas. Sacramento seems pretty nice and isn't hours and hours from the bay area. It's definitely cheaper too.

 

[CherryBlossom]

Thanks for the advice everyone! I'm going to be moving with my fiancé, who makes a good amount of money and can easily support the both of us if we live modestly, so we're looking at some safer, nicer areas to move that are within reasonable distance to LA. So far, everyone's been super helpful and I have a nice long list of potential towns and cities to move to

 

[jonny86]

It sounds like you would want to look into Orange County. Then again, we could help out more if you gave us a better idea of what exactly you were looking for in a place to live and job interests. For example, SF is pretty big on Tech, the culture is great for some people (and horrible for others), public transit is great, but the cost of living is god awful (the stories of a 1 bedroom for $2500 a month aren't BS) and the weather can get cold and yucky. LA on the other hand is meh when it comes to culture, cost of living is higher depending on where you go, public transit is pretty bad, but there's a lot of opportunities depending on what you want to do for work, and the weather can be pretty good if you're near the ocean. I like Orange County the best because the cities are nicer but not way more expensive to live in. San Diego is lovely, great weather, great standard of living, but VERY EXPENSIVE to live in.

Also, California is not pretty at all. I moved to Atlanta from California, and you will feel like you drove into a wasteland when you see CA. It's so barren! LA is literally hundreds of square miles of humanity and almost no trees. San Francisco is somewhat the same way. Yosemite is nice, but to access it easily (as in within less than 3 hours), you have to live in the Central Valley, which is pretty much the midwest, only more expensive to live in.

Also, people are hit or miss in california. If you are the adventurous type and like doing a lot of things, CA is a nice place to be in, and people really do have a lot of hobbies. However, it's not a stereotype that people in CA can be rude and pretty full of themselves. For me, I love how people are nice in non-CA states, but god do I miss having people around that actually went out and did stuff! OH, and the drivers are the worst in CA. Legitimately the worst. I've had friends who lived in a lot of other states, and when they move to CA, they all say that CA actually does have the worst drivers.

One good thing about CA is that you definitely don't have to watch who you talk about your fetishes with though! Far fewer bible thumpers

 

[mikeytickles]

It sounds like you would want to look into Orange County. Then again, we could help out more if you gave us a better idea of what exactly you were looking for in a place to live and job interests. For example, SF is pretty big on Tech, the culture is great for some people (and horrible for others), public transit is great, but the cost of living is god awful (the stories of a 1 bedroom for $2500 a month aren't BS) and the weather can get cold and yucky. LA on the other hand is meh when it comes to culture, cost of living is higher depending on where you go, public transit is pretty bad, but there's a lot of opportunities depending on what you want to do for work, and the weather can be pretty good if you're near the ocean. I like Orange County the best because the cities are nicer but not way more expensive to live in. San Diego is lovely, great weather, great standard of living, but VERY EXPENSIVE to live in.

Also, California is not pretty at all. I moved to Atlanta from California, and you will feel like you drove into a wasteland when you see CA. It's so barren! LA is literally hundreds of square miles of humanity and almost no trees. San Francisco is somewhat the same way. Yosemite is nice, but to access it easily (as in within less than 3 hours), you have to live in the Central Valley, which is pretty much the midwest, only more expensive to live in.

Also, people are hit or miss in california. If you are the adventurous type and like doing a lot of things, CA is a nice place to be in, and people really do have a lot of hobbies. However, it's not a stereotype that people in CA can be rude and pretty full of themselves. For me, I love how people are nice in non-CA states, but god do I miss having people around that actually went out and did stuff! OH, and the drivers are the worst in CA. Legitimately the worst. I've had friends who lived in a lot of other states, and when they move to CA, they all say that CA actually does have the worst drivers.

One good thing about CA is that you definitely don't have to watch who you talk about your fetishes with though! Far fewer bible thumpers

Aren't people hit or miss pretty much everywhere? To say California "isn't pretty at all" and imply LA lacks culture would seem to indicate you haven't lived/didn't live in California for very long and really didn't venture around much. It's also anecdotal and subjective. The LA area is a densely-populated metropolis and you really haven't described anything terribly unusual for any major city, and Orange County is really only "nicer" depending on where you are. For example, you're not going to convince anyone that Anaheim or Garden Grove is nicer than practically anywhere in West LA. Orange County is also largely pre-planned, suburban communities which some people don't like. There's also very little in Orange County that compares to the sort of nightlife and cuisine that you'll find in and around places like Hollywood, Los Feliz, Silver Lake, etc, so it's important to make these distinctions.

To OP: If you guys make good money I'd look at the Westside if you want to be closer to the beach, such as Santa Monica, Venice, Marina Del Rey, or even Culver City. If you want a more urban environment look at Hollywood, West Hollywood, Los Feliz, Silver Lake, or possibly even South Pasadena. It's also worth pointing out that downtown has seen a bit of a resurgence as of late and has a lot going on, particularly around Little Tokyo. What used to be a largely run-down, industrial area has since turned into several really nice loft apartments and an arts district.

LA can be patchy, so I'd recommend physically checking out the area before committing to anything from a distance. If that isn't possible then Google Street View is your friend, but as far as the above areas are concerned you should be fine.

 

[fttickler]

I did what you did. 40 yrs in NY... Got tired of the humidity and the snow. Moved to San Diego. North County to be exact. Yes definitely a difference.. things are slower here but you cannot beat the weather. Though I love LA I would not wanna live there for the traffic alone. But I can be there in 90 mins. With LEGOLAND, SeaWorld, Knottsberry Farm, Disneyland, San Diego Zoo and also its Wild Animal park all from 10 min to 1 hour away... not to mention theater and casinos and concerts ( and you don't have to pay those ridiculous parking fees like NYC ) we have then here.. they are just not as high. Yes the job market sucks.. but it sucks everywhere. Cost of living is about 9000 less than in NY out here. The weather is beautiful and for what I paid for an apt in NY I pay the same thing here and instead get a house and a yard. Do I miss things like Broadway sure.. but here in Vista we have the Moonlight Ampitheater. It is a professional outdoor theater that does 4 shows in the summer and other things throughout the yr. It is great.. you sit outside under the stars and do a little drinking, chatting with the people next to you and see a show. San Diego is great. And as far as the worst drivers as Jonn claims, try Conn or NJ drivers... they all suck as for his claim of them being rude... it is no different anywhere. Jonn need to learn before he speaks. In NY.. look at someone sideways and your shot or beaten ( remember I was born there).. here.. they smile and what my mother loves when she comes out to visit... much more helpful. She is a lady that need assistance food shopping because she has a bad back. In NY in any shopping food store, A and P, Shop Rite, Pathmark.. no one helps you.... here.. they will help you to your car place in in your trunk and wish you a good day... that to me makes in a nice place

Hey ya'll.

I know I've been MIA for the past year, but things have been a bit crazy in my life. As some of you know, I was due to move out to LA last summer when I hit a very unexpected roadblock and had to postpone my move until next summer. While this has given me two more years to save up more money, it really bummed me out (especially going through this past winter on the east coast. ick).

But anyways, at the time I was looking to move to LA for school, but since that isn't an option anymore, I've been open to other places. I was wondering if anyone had any advice for a little New England girl moving out West? Advice on best places to live, what to do, where to go - everything! I want to hear from the locals ;D Any feedback would be really helpful. Feel free to comment below or shoot me a PM. Please be nice!

(I guess this wasn't really a personal moreso as a desperate lunge for guidance but oh well xD)

 

[BButtonLuver]

I agree San Diego is a beautiful city, gas lamp district is top notch and fun. It's just a clean, safe and great city to live near or in. I live in North orange county and soon to live in south orange county, love southern california. So much to do here and see, events, sporting venues, concert venues, the beach the mountains, the dessert.