Boston or Southern California? (Ipswich, Bedford: home, rent, travel)

[jonny_quest]

I've narrowed down where I want to move for the next year or three of my life to 2 places - Boston or Southern California, but I've reached the point that I'm stuck and simply can't decide between the two. Yes, both are expensive - but I'm a young single 20-something guy recently out of college looking for a change in life and some more excitement, and that's going to cost me wherever I go. Also, I have absolutely no desire to own a home at any point in the near future; I fully intend to be renting.

It seams like both areas would be good for someone in my situation, obviously each with their ups and downs. I really enjoyed Boston when I visited, and right now it has allot going for it, for instance sports (Pats, Sox, Boston College, Celtics, etc.), lots of nearby colleges/young people, & great nightlife. I am also a big fan of their public transportation and the fact that you could get most anywhere in the city and surrounding area without a car while still feeling relatively safe. I like the Irish background of the city, and Boston is one of the cleanest cities I've visited and maintains a smaller-city feel despite being a large city. However, the weather is pretty brutal (humidity... ugh, very hot summers, very cold winters) and nearly the same as what I'm used to being in PA. Peoples' general attitudes are also about the same. Also two big negatives: there didn't seam to be many outdoor activities like hiking or biking readily available, and job opportunities weren't that great for my field.

Although I've never visited So.Cal., I've been doing some research and it looks to me that there's many more job opportunities, much better weather, more activities readily available for an outdoor enthusiast, and a bit more outgoing attitude in general, with a decent enough nightlife. Also, judging by various companies' web pages, benefits, and awards, many of the employers appear to be a more employee focused rather than just client focused (this is a big plus and unlike many companies on the east coast). I posted this in the Orange County forum because the area has the most job prospects in my field, and it's likely where I'll end up if I decide on So.Cal. However, the area apparently does have some very large downsides as well, including particularly horrendous traffic, very little public transportation, very little walkability, close proximity to LA (yeah this could be a plus for some, but not me), illegal immigration issues, nearby gang activity, and of course a much larger moving expense.

If anyone out there could give advise on the subject, perhaps having lived in both areas or made the move from the east coast to the west, I'ld appreciate any input. California is a big draw and moving out there would be very exciting I'm sure, but also a bit frightening considering just how far it is from home and what's starting to look like a very high cost to move from coast to coast. Also - I have no desire to drive my a** out to California so I would likely be hiring someone to move my stuff and my car out while I fly - what can I expect this to cost?

Thanks in advance.

I also posted this in the California forum, so feel free to check out any input from others there Boston or Southern California?.

[holden125]

You identified most of the pros and cons. It's night and day; you're choosing between totally different situations. I'd personally choose Boston over Orange County in a heartbeat, but you should have all the info people can give. On the plus side for Boston, I don't agree that there's nothing in the way of hiking and outdoor stuff here. A lot of people run along the river and there is a lot of sailing around here. Just outside Boston are bike trails and big parks with hiking trails. Within a couple of hours are great beaches, skiiing, and truly hardcore hiking. A nice thing about Boston is that it's not that big of a city, so while your experiences might have been limited to the city proper, you are not as far as you think from more open space and outdoor activities.

On the down side for Boston, the transit system that is great when visiting is not always so great when living here and commuting. Many places where younger people can afford to live are not that close to a T stop and you're dealing with slow and crowded buses. The rush hour is also much more hectic. While I say the T is in the top 5 mass transit systems in the U.S., that is pretty much by default and not saying much.

I don't know about the job situation. A friend of mine, a single mother, moved from NY to LA because the law firm there was supposed to be more family-friendly and flexible about her needs, but I couldn't say if that's actually true in general.

Good luck.

[MagicTouch]

jonny_quest:

Well I currently live in MA (Bedford to be exact) and I recently moved from the OC in SoCal. I was born and raised there and comparing the two is like comparing apples and oranges.

OC: You will have some great weather and will have beaches the mountains and the desert for fun and sports. There maybe more job opportunities, but not all on in OC a lot of them are in LA County (not the city proper). SoCal is one big city sprawl pretty much from Ventura County down through San Bernardino County. Since there is sprawl getting around requires that you know what you want to do and when you want to do it. You won't be able to just get up on a Saturday and late morning decide to go to the mountains, desert or beach. You have to be up and on the road to these locations no latter than 8am, otherwise you will be sitting in traffic. And yes traffic is really bad on the weekends and holidays. The transit system, if you can call it that is highly limited and it takes forever to get anywhere. I would never depend on it to get anywhere and the bus system, well personally you could not pay me to ride the bus system in SoCal. Historically there is little in SoCal, except for what I have mentioned above. I think everyone should take a shot at living in CA, the weather is great and it is and experience in and of itself.

Boston area: Well you will get four seasons, here so that weather is different, but personally the changes are really nice. The traffic here, personally, since I come from CA I don't think the traffic here is bad and the transit system is really good. You can actually get from place to place and I don't have and issue using the transit system. There are activities here for all of the seasons, skiing, snowboarding, beaches, hiking, biking, kayaking, sporting events and many others. Boston and the surrounding areas does not have the sprawl. You have the city and true suburbs and rural areas. You also have so much history here to go out and see.

It's up to what you want at this point and maybe you should live at both over the next 4-7 years.

I wish you all of the best in your adventure.

[LeavingMA]

It looks like you've done a lot of research. It can be a tough decision, but better to make when your younger and not attached then later in life.

Do you want to do outside things more in the summer or winter? If in warmer weather, California is better...and Mass is better for all seasons. The big thing is also how far do you want to be from home. If California just seems to far from home, I would recommend not going.

As others have mentioned you have really picked two different areas. Both have positives and negatives as you also mentioned. I think when it comes down to it, you have to go with your gut and what feels right.

[smarty]

It is very easy decision... whereever your job takes you...

All the others are nice to have... but at your age... career is most important.

[jonny_quest]

Originally Posted by smarty

It is very easy decision... whereever your job takes you...

All the others are nice to have... but at your age... career is most important.

If this were the case I would stay exactly where I am and remain unhappy with my surroundings and the area's culture, or lack thereof, yet practically be assured partnership within a 10-year time frame. However, a career is not the most important thing in life for me, and I don't believe it should be for anyone. I am young and single; I want to enjoy my life to the fullest extent possible. Frankly I could get in a terrible car accident tomorrow or the next day, and I assure you, as I'm left bleeding out the last things that'll be racing through my mind won't be career related.

MagicTouch - you seem to point on allot of negatives about CA, but then say it's something you think everyone should try. Could you elaborate on this a bit?

Thanks for the input so far!

[smarty]

Originally Posted by jonny_quest

If this were the case I would stay exactly where I am and remain unhappy with my surroundings and the area's culture, or lack thereof, yet practically be assured partnership within a 10-year time frame. However, a career is not the most important thing in life for me, and I don't believe it should be for anyone. I am young and single; I want to enjoy my life to the fullest extent possible. Frankly I could get in a terrible car accident tomorrow or the next day, and I assure you, as I'm left bleeding out the last things that'll be racing through my mind won't be career related.

If that is the case... be brave... just pick a place... We can talk talk and talk, it is useless until you actually experience it.

Just in case you don't like it... move again.

You are young and can start over again.

[MagicTouch]

Every place has it's negatives, some would say the winter in New England is a negative. California is a place that has really great weather and is a place that everyone wants to live (or so it seems), or at least have said they have tried it. All of my family and friends are still there and I will probably go back, it's home to me.

California is a place to learn to and go surfing, diving, hiking, sking, snow boarding, dirt racing, sky diving, mountain climbing, camping, gambling, splunking (cave exploration), mining (old gold mine exploration), and just about anything else you can think of. There also are the Santa Catalina Islands to go explore. You can do any of these things all year long (except where snow is required). This is the advantages of California it gives you so many opportunities to do almost anything at any time. The beaches are different in CA vs. the east coast, I prefer the beaches in CA and on the islands. There are numerous clubs if that is what you like as well.

Your young and that is why I think everyone should try CA if they have the opportunity, they want to live there and if it offers them what they want at that point in their lives.

The east coast has history and a less stressed, more laid back pace to things. There is hiking, sking, beaches and many of the things that CA has but it's more limited due to the 4 seasons here. People here are harder to get to know, but they aren't superficial. Friends here are true friends and I've noticed there is a different attitude with the women here. I prefer the attitude here in MA rather than the one in CA (CA - stuck up would be one word that comes to mind).

It's all about trying something new and different and it's has to be what you are looking for in your life at this moment. Are you looking for high adventure or something that has some adventure with more culture.

I wish you all of the best as you decide as to where you will land and no matter what you decide enjoy it and make sure you take advantage of everything you can.

[ChunkyMonkey]

I find outdoor opportunities plentiful in Boston. On the T, you can get to Middlesex Fells for mountain biking and hiking. You can also take the T to go skiing at Wachusett or to Rockport for sea kayaking, Ipswich for dune hiking.

Boston is only 2.5 hours away from NH mountains, close to the ocean with great beaches, lots of rivers and lakes for canoeing. Even close to whitewater rafting. I think if you look you'd find outdoor activities.

On the other hand, you can't beat Southern Cal's weather and great location so close to the mountains and beaches. I'm sure there are lots more outdoor activities. You should travel there to get a feel of the place before making any decision. I personally did not like L.A. However, San Diego and Santa Barbara were great but just be aware that cost of living in Southern California is quite a bit more than the Boston area.

Good luck.

[HeadedWest]

Originally Posted by jonny_quest

I've narrowed down where I want to move for the next year or three of my life to 2 places - Boston or Southern California, but I've reached the point that I'm stuck and simply can't decide between the two.

If one of those two choices is hell the other is paradise. They are that different.