Should I move to California?? (Santa Barbara: sale, foreclosure, hotels)

[goodbyehollywood]

That's true-- life is short and if it's what you really want, you should find a way to make it happen. But there will be sacrifices-- big sacrifices-- because CA is very, very expensive.

That CA lifestyle that has become the American Dream, that amazing, sought-after lifestyle you see on "The OC," "Baywatch" and "Melrose Place" is unattainable unless you are rich. Truthfully, SoCal is only nice near the beach and in a few exclusive enclaves; elsewhere is ugly, crime-ridden and high density with immigrants. Living in squalor just isn't that much fun and neither is the traffic... the smog... the gangs... the illegals... the throngs of rude, unhappy people living on top of rude, unhappy people.

Where it's nice, it's very nice; where it isn't, it, well, really, really isn't. It's great if you can afford it, so come see for yourself!

[justsomeguy]

Originally Posted by goodbyehollywood

That's true-- life is short and if it's what you really want, you should find a way to make it happen. But there will be sacrifices-- big sacrifices-- because CA is very, very expensive.

That CA lifestyle that has become the American Dream, that amazing, sought-after lifestyle you see on "The OC," "Baywatch" and "Melrose Place" is unattainable unless you are rich. Truthfully, SoCal is only nice near the beach and in a few exclusive enclaves; elsewhere is ugly, crime-ridden and high density with immigrants. Living in squalor just isn't that much fun and neither is the traffic... the smog... the gangs... the illegals... the throngs of rude, unhappy people living on top of rude, unhappy people.

Where it's nice, it's very nice; where it isn't, it, well, really, really isn't. It's great if you can afford it, so come see for yourself!

I can agree with this. I will also say that the weather is indeed very nice out here, but after the same thing, day in and day out, it seems to get kind of old, doesn't it? I feel like I am living a groundhog day, the same day over and over.

[sheri257]

I lived in Northern Virginia not far from McLean so ... I know what you're talking about. I grew up in New Orleans so I was used to the humidity but, I have to admit that the winters were tough and too long. It does get downright depressing at times.

As far as Northern California ... it is a wonderful place.

[Woof]

Originally Posted by brownvic

......My advice is to spend some time here first. And make sure it is partly during the winter. Sure the weather is great during the summer (I actually find it cold but I live right in SF), but some people don't do well during the winter when it can rain for days.

Generally speaking Northern California doesn't have the best climate (not if you hate rainy or snowy winters, depending on the distance from the coast). If you're looking for a paradisical year-round climate, you'd want to be located from the Mexican border at San Diego up to about Santa Cruz/Monterrey area, which is about where the heavy winter rains start some years.

Of course few people want to live their later years in San Diego or LA (although some of San Diego's North County from La Jolla up to Carlsbad is nice). I'd say look from Santa Barbara up to the San Luis Obispo area if you want less crowding than extreme southern Cal, but nicer weather than Northern Cal.

[Blackdog93458]

Originally Posted by novaman

I have done some homework, but not to the detail you might be asking. I enjoy the San Jose, Saratoga, areas. Walnut Creek, Danville and Petaluma have also been on the radar. I know the cost of living is very high, as well as housing costs, even higher than here in Mclean Va (with the exception of Petaluma). The schools in these areas are also good (not so sure about Petaluma).

If I made this move my plan would be to rent first, find a long term job situation either as an associate or buying a practice, then finding housing in close proximity to the practice.

My wife is supportive of whatever I decide to do, but she would prefer to stay put and not have the anxiety of dealing with the unknown. We would be moving away from my parents, which is a major dilema in my thoughts of moving to CA.

I have been to a few other places but really was drawn to NorCal because of the comfortable weather.

In 2003 - I did what you are thinking of. I did it alone with my dog - fresh off divorce and layoff as a direct result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks (I worked for the world's largest mutual fund company and they had a 30% layoff due to stock fluctuations.) A major driver for me on where to go was the beautiful west. I am an avid motorcyclist and have about 150,000 miles in since 2002. I commute about 10 months out of the year by motorcycle now from Santa Maria to San Luis Obispo where I work for a Performing Arts Center on a University Campus.

Being from Massachusetts at the time with the cold in winter and humidity in summer - my number 1 consideration was weather. Nothing else mattered to me - I have 2 degrees and a willingness to make a go of whatever situation I am in - so adventure is a part of it. What are you and your family willing to accept in the "Change" arena? I first moved to Grover Beach, CA and now am remarried and live in Santa MAria, CA. We have a microclimate here unlike any I have seen elsewhere in the world. It is "my" little paradise. Check it out on weather,com sometime. Just to give you an idea - many people move here and then grow to love it so much they do whatever it takes to stay - work 2 jobs etc... Medicine (which would include you) is one of the major industries here. I just finished a 2500 mile riding vacation through NorCal and Southern Oregon. Absolutely beautiful - but you should be prepared for what is there - fog abounds coastlly for most of the year. We get a great deal of that here too but it is mostly a morning thing that is part of our "natural air conditioning" - up there it stays. Great pine (and Redwood) forests and "wilderness" galore to explore. Be careful in many areas of the north (Humboldt County etc...) with your kids - drugs abound and family acticities will be a primary outlet to keep them going developmentetally and to burn off youthful energy - otherwise plan on weed, and meth being easily available to the High School aged kids. You know your kids and their abilities to keep insulated from it the best.

I am very happy with my decision to move to Central Coast California. My quality of life is such that I can truly say that in my past 4 years (since I relocated) any time my maker wants to take me I would feel blessed for I have truly lived (although, I have this selfish streak that wants me to live forever and enjoy it!! LOL).

[zenjenn]

Ask yourself, will you *really* take advantage of the weather and the outdoor lifestyle, or do you just romanticize yourself doing so?

I was just talking with a friend the other day how Californians often boast "it's so great here! The weather is fantastic! You can drive to the beach or the mountains or the desert..."

But honestly, how often do most Californians actually *do* that? I drag myself to the beach once or twice a year for the sake of my kids. I love camping, but it's so crowded that any of the close or coveted campsites require a six-month-in-advance reservation. A 30 minute drive will take me to the nearest mountain, but I don't go but maybe twice a year (once to see the snow, and another for a mountain hike). Yes, we have sunshine all year - almost too much - and I do enjoy biking and walking outdoors fairly regularly, but I try to sneak out in the early morning. The cloudless sky and the sun glaring down on you 300+ days a year does start to grow tiresome, IMO.

I feel like I am living a groundhog day, the same day over and over.

Yup, this is how I feel. I don't even look at the weather forecast. Ever. "The weather will be today what it was yesterday" is pretty much more accurate than any weather forecast. It's tiresome. When we DO get a good rainy season - like we did about 3 years ago, it is SUCH a breath of fresh air! When the clouds break, everything is crisp and clear and CLEAN! I really doubt they get the accumulation of dust and cobwebs on the outside of homes like we do here in California. Even my BUSHES have cobwebs! (though, I'm in SoCal so take it for what it's worth! I'd prefer NoCal too.)

Honestly I get to the point where I can't appreciate our good weather because I take it for granted. I admit it. I love pie too, but I think I'd feel differently if I were forced to eat pie breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Anyways, all that said, I'd still think it were worth it if you didn't have to pay a premium to live here. You'll pay through the nose and then you might find that, like many Californians, you end up spending most of your days indoors... "why go on a walk today? There's always tomorrow..." There is absolutely no incentive to take advantage of cloudless days, because they are always, always, ALWAYS there.

That said, there ARE Californians who join bike clubs and are out rock climbing, biking, hiking, and golfing every day. (My dad's one of them - an avid golfer.) So if you're going to move here just for the weather, make sure you're one of them. Because on the other side are people who *say* they like the weather, but in reality spend all their time indoors anyways.

[lexi]

No way... I wouldn't leave what you have. I looked it up and your town
has not even one sex offender in a city of almost 40 thousand... that's
rare. Low crime, affluent area, you have no commute, your kids are in
excellent schools. Why not take a couple of vacations to california a year and enjoy
the weather.
Also... have you been to California lately? I have lived here in California
for almost 45 years and I can tell you it's gone down hill. Crime is up and
it's overcrowded with agressive drivers and heavy traffic.. If you really think you want to move you really should
spend a week or two exploring. You might go home with a brand new appreciation of your home. Also, leaving your parents behind is a big sacrafice if you get along with them well. Besides the weather it really does
sound like you have it all....

[justsomeguy]

Originally Posted by zenjenn

Yup, this is how I feel. I don't even look at the weather forecast. Ever. "The weather will be today what it was yesterday" is pretty much more accurate than any weather forecast. It's tiresome. When we DO get a good rainy season - like we did about 3 years ago, it is SUCH a breath of fresh air! When the clouds break, everything is crisp and clear and CLEAN! I really doubt they get the accumulation of dust and cobwebs on the outside of homes like we do here in California. Even my BUSHES have cobwebs! (though, I'm in SoCal so take it for what it's worth! I'd prefer NoCal too.)

Honestly I get to the point where I can't appreciate our good weather because I take it for granted. I admit it. I love pie too, but I think I'd feel differently if I were forced to eat pie breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

Anyways, all that said, I'd still think it were worth it if you didn't have to pay a premium to live here. You'll pay through the nose and then you might find that, like many Californians, you end up spending most of your days indoors... "why go on a walk today? There's always tomorrow..." There is absolutely no incentive to take advantage of cloudless days, because they are always, always, ALWAYS there.

That said, there ARE Californians who join bike clubs and are out rock climbing, biking, hiking, and golfing every day. (My dad's one of them - an avid golfer.) So if you're going to move here just for the weather, make sure you're one of them. Because on the other side are people who *say* they like the weather, but in reality spend all their time indoors anyways.

Yeah, I've been in SoCal about 6 months now and while I've enjoyed it, I too am questioning if it's worth that premium price to live out here. Your comparison about eating pie every day rings true. Guess that is what they mean also when they say you have to "experience the bad to appreciate the good." Maybe that's why bad things happen to people. But, it's true that since I've moved here I spend most of my time indoors, besides just sitting outside on my condo balcony sometimes, which can be nice. I'm trying to take advantage of more outdoor activities. =/ I'm thinking of maybe moving to Denver or *gasp* back to the South.

[JerZ]

Originally Posted by zenjenn

Ask yourself, will you *really* take advantage of the weather and the outdoor lifestyle, or do you just romanticize yourself doing so?

OMG! This is exactly what I experienced, with my husband, though I'm sure he had every intention of doing all this fabulous stuff. Anyway, before we moved here all he could do was rave about how "in SoCal, you have the beach, the mountains, drinks in scenic Santa Barbara or the desert all within 2 hours in any given direction," etc., etc.

We moved here 2.5 years ago.

Times we've visited the mountains: 3
Times we've visited the desert: 2 drive-throughs on the way to visit FIL in Nevada (no getting out of the car)
Times we've visited Santa Barbara for drinks on a scenic pier: 1
Times we've been "in" L.A. proper for a cultural event: 2
Times we've been to the beach: 0

It's kinda tough to schedule these fabulous 1- 2-hour drive jaunts after 8:15 PM...which is what time hubby gets home, half-dead, from his horrendous commute.

It's also hard to skip off happily to the beach through excruciating 1.5-hour traffic on the weekends when hubby "(hasn't) seen the house all week...I just want to sit in it and try to catch my breath for the week ahead!"

Of course, I could always take our autistic 4-year-old and speech-delayed toddler screaming and moaning with crushing boredom and budding bed sores from sitting for ridiculous amounts of time in their car seats to see the beach or whatever, all by myself (without hubby), driving white-knuckled through the screeches and through the stopped traffic. Now THAT would be fun.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by JerZ

OMG! This is exactly what I experienced, with my husband, though I'm sure he had every intention of doing all this fabulous stuff. Anyway, before we moved here all he could do was rave about how "in SoCal, you have the beach, the mountains, drinks in scenic Santa Barbara or the desert all within 2 hours in any given direction," etc., etc.

We moved here 2.5 years ago.

Times we've visited the mountains: 3
Times we've visited the desert: 2 drive-throughs on the way to visit FIL in Nevada (no getting out of the car)
Times we've visited Santa Barbara for drinks on a scenic pier: 1
Times we've been "in" L.A. proper for a cultural event: 2
Times we've been to the beach: 0

Concur.

Maybe a lot of the allure of living in Southern California is a result of the glamorization it gets from TV.

http://www.city-data.com/forum/los-a...tml#post647752