Best Place to Live in CA? (Los Angeles, San Diego: smog, rental, jobs)

[Judy P.]

My father lived in a small town outside of Redding called "Igo". You are close enough to Redding for all your shopping needs so you don't feel like you are to far away from the things you need.
The weather is wonderful and when we would travel to his house we would see wild berries, wild turkeys, deer etc. it was beautiful every turn we took! There was (at the time) one post office, one store, a school and that was about it, but if you enjoy the beauty of rural life that is still close to a big town check this one out, in my opinion a real hidden gem!

[DMenscha]

I'm going to bang the Calaveras County drum til my hands fall off

[wannabecooler]

There is a lot of difference between beaches of CA. and FL. Maybe you already know this, but the CA. ocean is much colder and the beaches are rockier. I've lived at Miami Beach and much prefer the FL. beaches to those here in CA.
Southern Ca. beaches are very nice-but as far as I know, the surrounding towns are upscale and expensive, but not positive if there are cheaper rents down there. The beaches are much more crowded too, because there is so much less of it than in Florida.
I'm a writer also (although more aspiring than paid career-yet) and am looking for a new place myself, that is cheaper, but also I want somewhere cooler. It is hot six months out of the year here in Central Valley of Ca.
I looked at Kern county, which is in the mountains, but the air quality was named the worse in Ca. (maybe nation-I forget) so eventhough it is affordable, it is a no for me.
You might consider Southern Oregon. I haven't lived there, but driven through a lot of times. But personally, I'd recommend Florida. Good luck and happy writing.

[wannabecooler]

Cottonwood might be good too, South of redding. Probably cheaper, although I haven't been there for some time. Very small town feel. Has a livestock auction yard and restaurant with the best pies! At least that was so about ten years ago. Lots of flat land and it is hot in summer! Gets in the 100's for lots of days. There is a town just north with outlet stores, but I don't remember the name-possibly Anderson. People were always very friendly.
But be warned-it is nothing like Seattle or any of the areas surrounding Seattle. There aren't any little quaint eateries near the water. It is a long way to upscale anything. But as I said, was affordable-lots of cattle and horses around. So good luck.

[Broomhilda]

Originally Posted by nanannie

Yikes,to each his own I guess,,this sounds like strip mall hell to me

oh, man..... I second that!

[Broomhilda]

I live in SC, and lived in California from 1962 until 1985. So I know both states fairly well. I visit out there for a month each summer (to get away from the heat here, and to spend time with my granddaughter).

So many people/relatives I know who live in Florida are leaving. It is a hurricane/tornado magnet and the bugs will carry you off. Health care? All the doctors are from outside the US. They are good... if you can communicate with them. The water situation is getting bad on the East Coast, and in Florida, I believe, the ground water aquifers are diminishing and the sea water is starting to leach in causing problems.

You might consider South Carolina or maybe coastal Georgia. The beaches are nice and so is the ambiance. Small Southern towns are really a bargain. Our 5 BR older (100 years) house, 8 fireplaces, mature trees and crepe myrtles on an acre of land cost $110,000 about 7 years ago. Granted it hasn't raised much in value, but we love the house for what it is.

You would probably be able to afford either Isle of Palms or Sullivan's Island coming from California. You'd be right at the beach. If you live near Charleston, the food is absolutely world class.

Yes, I'd love to live back in California. But I have to be realistic.

[Phillip099]

Redding and Death Valley tie for the hottest places in Calif. Redding is also about as congested as Sacramento. Red Bluff 30 miles to the south is a little less expensive than Redding, but catching up and the congestion stretches from there to Redding. Red Bluff is expanding their medical facilities so there are opportunities there in that field. Since the facilities are at the south end of town a person could live in Gerber or Proberta about 5 miles south past the WalMart Distribution Center which is the least expensive neighborhood although heavy in Hispanics, but they seem to be generally good neighbors. The commute from there is a breeze, the climate is mediterranean with a 300 day growing season.

[connie&dave]

Originally Posted by nanannie

Yikes,to each his own I guess,,this sounds like strip mall hell to me

Murrieta has beautiful hills, a charming wine country and a westerm style old town nearby. Besides what's wrong with strip malls? Its great having lots of shopping options nearby it sure makes life easier, by the way did I mention all the drive thru Starbucks?

[Winston Smith]

Originally Posted by connie&dave

Besides what's wrong with strip malls? Its great having lots of shopping options nearby it sure makes life easier, by the way did I mention all the drive thru Starbucks?

What's wrong with strip malls? IMHO, having everything based around driving, including the (beloved?) drive-thru Starbucks. It's great for getting fat and lazy, and deteriorating quality of life -- noise, pollution and encouraging people to quit walking and instead drive everywhere, including the corner store. Again, just an opinion. I prefer communities that make driving difficult. Those communities, with people walking and riding bikes, are usually also more interesting to look at than the strip-mall Hells of the IE and other S CA locales. Where am I? It all looks the same? Help get me out of the parking lot!

[connie&dave]

Originally Posted by cre8

What's wrong with strip malls? IMHO, having everything based around driving, including the (beloved?) drive-thru Starbucks. It's great for getting fat and lazy, and deteriorating quality of life -- noise, pollution and encouraging people to quit walking and instead drive everywhere, including the corner store. Again, just an opinion. I prefer communities that make driving difficult. Those communities, with people walking and riding bikes, are usually also more interesting to look at than the strip-mall Hells of the IE and other S CA locales. Where am I? It all looks the same? Help get me out of the parking lot!

Although I agree strip malls aren't the prettiest thing to look at it is a part of California's identity -along with the freeways, smog, and other unattractive things. Besides California is so vast and spread out you pretty much have to drive anywhere. At the moment I am living in England and I have some shops within walking distance but man they're nothing to write home about-run down pubs and a grocery shop with overpriced not-so-fresh produce. I do miss driving thru Starbucks right before work...good old days