A Moderate Area in CA (Orange: salary, living, costs)
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I checked the stats for Oxnard. The weather is great, on the beach, and close to Los Padreo National Forest for hiking. What about Ventura? It doesn't look like that area is that much more expensive. (For some reason, city-data doesn't have info for Ventura but I used stats from a different site.)
Sometimes Ventura is referred to as San Buenaventura. This change has happened recently, so some sites may not be using the new(old) name. I'd recommend searching under both names for stats.
Sometimes Ventura is referred to as San Buenaventura. This change has happened recently, so some sites may not be using the new(old) name. I'd recommend searching under both names for stats.
I found Ventura under San Beunaventura. Thanks for the tip! Ventura looks really nice. I'm kind of concerned about job opportunities in the area though. That's the problem, I want to be close to nature, but I also need to be close to an active job market in order to temp.
Reno looks nice too, although very different from Ventura. Cold winters and hot summers. Less temperate than Portland area, but also much less rain. But what about the wind? city-data shows the wind speed in Reno as lower than the US average, but one of the Reno threads sure complained about the strong wind. Nice to know most "Renonites" aren't into the casinos. I just read the Reno thread "Reno: One year view from a CA transplant." He makes Reno sound pretty nice and he didn't mention the wind.
I've been to both Santa Barbara and Reno. Santa Barbara I have very fond memories of, but that was many years ago when I was in college. Reno, sorry to say I don't remember much...just drove thru on the way to Colorado.
Bingo. Instead of hating on my post why dont you provide info of your own.
Take a chill pill . Since when does disagreeing become "hating on" your post? Ceece actually even agreed with part of what you were saying. Quit being so hypersensitive.
Thanks for the feedback. To give you a little more info...
I think Sacramento gets too hot for me. Years ago, I lived in Mill Valley. I love that climate and area, but it is too expensive and congested now. What about Santa Rosa? Are there any jobs there? (I don't want to commute over 30 minutes, preferably less.)
I do realize that a higher cost of living usually means a higher salary. I will be renting and not buying a house. And I will start out by temping (admin asst). I usually have luck getting job offers that way. I don't think Santa Rosa is large enough job-wise.
I don't want to live in SF because I've lived there. I want to move somewhere I haven't lived before. I think LA is probably too congested and smoggy. I haven't been there for years. San Luis Obispo sounds nice, but there again I don't think it is large enough job-wise.
San Diego weather sounds nice. I love the beach. But probably too congested and smoggy.
Santa Cruz is nice, but probably few jobs.
I am tired of all the rain in Oregon. I want to move to a temperate climate that isn't that congested but still has jobs. Close to nature is a must (beach or mountains, preferably both).
I think you have unrealistic expectations. Living anywhere you'd want to live in CA requires some difficult and painful tradeoffs be made. Even the so-called "cheap" areas like Fresno or Sacramento are really not cheap at all, as they're still more expensive than the national average.
I checked the stats for Oxnard. The weather is great, on the beach, and close to Los Padreo National Forest for hiking. What about Ventura? It doesn't look like that area is that much more expensive. (For some reason, city-data doesn't have info for Ventura but I used stats from a different site.)
City Data.Com uses Ventura's full name, San Buena Ventura. Try looking for stats with that name.
Los Angeles is cleaner now air wise than it was years ago.
My main concern with Oxnard is the race ratio. It might be okay; I don't know, I haven't lived in that situation before.
I realize CA is more expenisve than the US average. I lived in the bay area for several years (SF and Mill Valley). Perhaps I should have used a different title for this thread. This is my first time posting. The reason I am considering CA is because of the moderate weather and the beach. I am an avid walker/hiker and I want to live in an area where I can walk comfortably outside year-round.
I have owned a home before and prefer the more carefree lifestyle of renting. A nice studio apt would be fine. I realize rent will be much higher in CA, but if the salary is higher too, it will balance out somewhat.
My main concern with Oxnard is the race ratio. It might be okay; I don't know, I haven't lived in that situation before.
I realize CA is more expenisve than the US average. I lived in the bay area for several years (SF and Mill Valley). Perhaps I should have used a different title for this thread. This is my first time posting. The reason I am considering CA is because of the moderate weather and the beach. I am an avid walker/hiker and I want to live in an area where I can walk comfortably outside year-round.
I have owned a home before and prefer the more carefree lifestyle of renting. A nice studio apt would be fine. I realize rent will be much higher in CA, but if the salary is higher too, it will balance out somewhat.
I grew up in Oxnard/ Port Hueneme area. I am white and have never had a problem with others. My wife is Mexican though. What I have learned is if you don't make race an issue and treat people as they want to be treated then problems never happen.
As far as rents in the Oxnard area you could find a studio on the north side for $1,000 plus or minus. I have seen them for as low as $800 and up from there. You may find something less expensive on the South side. You may even consider Port Hueneme which is surounded by Oxnard and the Pacific.
Thanks for the suggestion and feedback about the race issue. That can be a sensitive topic. I'm curious, why do you prefer living in Oxnard over Ventura?
I will see if I can find info about studios in Oxnard online. Portland has a lot of really nice lofts—new condos/apartments, which are basically one big room so they are a studio. I would rather live in a NICE studio than a not-so-nice one or two bedroom.
Thanks for the suggestion and feedback about the race issue. That can be a sensitive topic. I'm curious, why do you prefer living in Oxnard over Ventura?
I will see if I can find info about studios in Oxnard online. Portland has a lot of really nice lofts—new condos/apartments, which are basically one big room so they are a studio. I would rather live in a NICE studio than a not-so-nice one or two bedroom.
If you want something nice you may want to stay on the North Side of Oxnard. You will find pockets within the South side that have very nice places. I would also look on the far west side near Victoria lets say (One of the main drags along both Ventura and Oxnard. In fact if the area has a main drag, Victoria would be it. Both cities are served by that road.)
We like Oxnard because of our history here. My wife and I went to school in the area. Both of us attended the same High school although I was there long before she was. Our kids attend school there and we like the schools that they are in. I would say the biggest thing is being close to family and friends, and because of our kids and there friends. If I was single and wanted a small place, such as a studio, I would move closer to Ventura's club scene near California street and Main. You can find some places down there. It is old school as the city was built a long time ago. Maybe a place that was subdevided from an old home. Still I like the vibe down town Ventura has. You can find some places that aren't too far from down town.
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. Since when does disagreeing become "hating on" your post? Ceece actually even agreed with part of what you were saying. Quit being so hypersensitive.
