Want to move to CA (lived there before), but see people leaving (San Diego: middle-class, transplants)

[Donna7]

Hello to all!

I LOVE reading the various posts on the different city threads and am really enjoy getting different people's perspectives.

May I ask for feedback from those that currently live or have lived in Southern CA? My husband and I did live in Orange County, CA during the very early 80's, moved back to our home state of Ohio as I was expecting with #1. Years later, we are now parents of a larger family, ages 22 down to age 5. I am a public accountant, my husband is in the med profession. My mom passed away in 2004, my MIL is in her 80's. We moved back to OH because this is where our family is from, wanted our #1 and future kids to be with family, aunts/uncles, grandparents. This has been fulfilled; I, personally, feel that it is time for a different and new chapter in our life. I've been feeling this way for the last 5 to 6 years.

I'm looking into North County San Diego, and/or towns in OC such as San Juan Capistrano. I've read the San Luis Obispo is beautiful as well. I know that the housing costs are a downside, as they are expensive. On the other hand, if housing was afforded, my bigger concern(s) is the quality of life in Southern CA. (This is not to say that NE OH quality of life is my idea of "quality of life" - this is why I've been looking to relocate for a number of years now). The biggest concern at this point in our lives are our children. I do not want to get them entrenched in a quagmire of materialism, although, I can say that I believe that materialism is everywhere in every state. I don't want to be entrenched where materialism is rampant though and supercedes other things in life. But then, I wonder whether or not CA is worse than any other state, or is it propoganda as many things seem to be? Of course, schooling K-8, as well as high schools are an important issue. Our kids have attended Catholic K-8, and public schools in our area. So I guess nice people, friendly people, as well as attention given to schooling are two very important criteria to us.

The reason I keep coming back to CA (over all the other states) is because CA meets the most criteria that I have: temperate weather, not too hot, not too cold, mountains, ocean (things that have probably been mentioned thousands of times over). Diversity of people. Health conscious people (necessary for my business), open-minded people, many transplants, not an area where generations have been in a small town and are not open to outsiders. (Believe it or not, we've lived in this particular city for 15 years now, and still feel like outsiders, even though both my husband and I grew up 5-10 minutes from the town we live in now). I SO want to get away from small town gossip, from status-quo thinking people. I, personally, am interested and currently involved in Eastern philosophy healing, thinking, etc. - something that is out of place here. Our religious roots are Catholicism as well as Eastern Orthodox.

Californians, (San Diegoans, and everyone), how is your experience with the quality of life there? If (for discussion's sake) the housing prices would stabilize, would living in S. California still be great for family living, in your opinion? I'd really love to hear some thoughts, if you don't mind sharing.

P.S. - I have a lot of friends that I work with that live in San Diego and other parts of CA. I already have established relationships with these people and would feel at home there. My lingering doubt (which I hope can be cleared up, one way or the other) is the quality of life for families. Worth it?

[grimstuff]

I don't want to be entrenched where materialism is rampant though and supercedes other things in life.

This of course, is very subjective, but to me, this would eliminate most of So. CA. I live in San Luis Obispo, and it is not as "bad" up here, and is pretty much what a lot of people would describe as the "perfect" place to live, but like you mentioned it is very expensive. If you arn't moving from another place with at least over 500,000 in equity or prepared to manage a mortgage(s) that would support that, than forget about owning a home here. You mentioned the prices stabilizing, and you are correct about that. I am not familiar with all the housing markets in So CA, but around here in SLO prices are begining to stabilize. Don't wait for them to drastically drop, though. It's the opinion of most in the building industries that a lot of the markets in CA are over-valued just a bit and need to come down. However, if you chose to listen to other sources with other interests they will say it is highly overpriced. From my experience and education I tend to agree with the latter, but then again, it all depends on what you want the numbers to tell you .

HOWEVER, with that said, there are places around here that fit your criteria as far as everything goes about climate, health consciousness, and so forth. People around here are concerned with their health and most live active lifestyles. You mentioned alternative healing/Eastern philosophies etc. I am originally from Northern CA, and these ideas are much more prevelent up there than here. The constituency in SLO is primarily moderate-conservative, comprised of older retirees with their small fortunes who want to maintain what they invested their retirement in. However, they are liberal as far as acceptance of alternative medicine, lifestyles, etc. The thing is there just may not be the market for it here since they themselves wouldn't chose it. What I am trying to say is that Northern CA is the place for that. May I suggest Sonoma and Marin Counties? All the criteria still fits, and I think the cultural climate would suit you better, as there is more of an International influence from the Bay Area and liberalism from SF.

I think the biggest threats to the quality of your family life is suburban living and long commutes. The biggest threat of this is pretty much anywhere in So. CA and anywhere along the highway 101 corridor. However, there are smaller towns with a self-sustaining economy of jobs. I would look for places that are not bedroom communities for other cities. Don't look farther north than Healdsburg if you do look in Sonoma County. Marin County, I think is great, the thing is its very expensive... a lot of the big-wigs from SF and celebrities live in Mill Valley and nearby towns, but I wouldn't say its pretentious like So. CA. But Marin County has an enormous amount of preserved open space land for parks, recreation, etc that extends from 101 all the way out on Point Reyes. If you've never seen this area of CA you definitely should.

Anyway, I've said my piece... hope this info helps. I've never lived in San Diego, so I can't give you any info about that.

-David

[huntman58]

one of my grips of living in northern south cal is the school systems . want good schooling move tro over priced areas other wise it is almost a forgetit deal. this is also why we are moving to the mid west or one reson caost of houseing is also a reson we do not want to give every thign to own a home but want some left to enjoy life now also . just my thoughts . and yes I am a calif grown and schooled person been here from 1964 with a few years ten at the longes away and every time i come back I ask why it never changed for the better in my eyes .

[konijn]

Hi, you mentioned San Luis Obispo? We used to live a half hour away. CUTE town!! But to live....well...in that area, my husband found to have a hard time to find a job. Prices are expensive BUT it's like that all over S.California. It's really beautiful there too. The air is cleaner and cooler and the sun feels "clear". It's a little different than S. California by San Jan Capistrano/Laguna Niquel area though. Last year, starter homes were in the $600,000. They did come down into the $500,000's but I hope you don't get shocked because you may think,"$500,000 for this??" You definately don't get much house for the money. A two story home is about in the 700-900,000's. Since I've been raised in S. California, let me concentrate on that.....Here are some family friendly towns that I think you may like: Laguna Niquel, Rancho Santa Margarita, Lake Forest, Mission Viejo, San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, Newport Beach, Corona Del Mar, Aliso Viejo, Ladera Ranch, Foothill Ranch. These towns are a little pricey. I suggest you check them out on the internet. They would be GREAT to raise a family and super safe. Great schools too, lots of shopping and places to eat, so much that it may come out of your ears! - Of course, you may have minor crimes all over the place, but when we lived in Mission Viejo, you feel really safe. These are also beautiful areas. If you get off of the 405 freeway and head towards Mission Viejo, you may think, this is it? But No-wait- there's more!! - Keep driving, your going to drive about 10-15-20 minutes from the freeway so check it our, it's great! Just know that San Juan Capistrano, Dana Poinst, Newport, and CDM are very very expensive as opposed to pretty expensive for the rest. If these are a little expensive for your budget, don't forget about Costa Mesa. They have price-ier homes as well as smaller cute homes. In Costa Mesa, check out areas surrounding the streets of Fairview, and Adams,(check out the variety of homes in price on Adams from Costa Mesa alllllll the way down to Hungtington Beach so keep going). Cute homes, cute neighborhoods, very family oriented too! Safe also. We love it here. People are more laid back and live and let live here. AND you are about 5-10 minutes from the beach depending where you live,(HB or CM). THe weather is SO much better than the other towns I mentioned near Laguna Niguel. If you love hot heat,(80-100), then RSM, and Lake Forest and Mission Viejo is great for you. If you like the more mild weather like 60-82 degrees, Huntington Beach and Costa Mesa are great. Really, all the towns that I mentioned are GREAT to raise families. We are moving out of state, but that's only because we are on a one income family because I want to be with my kids and well, we just can't afford a home in California, so we are trying for Colorado. We would have loved to stay and I will definatley miss the convenience of shopping and the people, and the weather, etc...oh yes, I think you have materialism everywhere. There are always the people who try to "compete" with their neighbors which seems a little silly and obvious . But there are also people in these areas who are not that way either. Welcome to California, I hope you will be able to thrive here. I think you will love it. If you can afford it, I know you will love it, we do. - Sorry to hear about your mother passing two years ago. ALthough I love the RSM-San Juan Capistrano area, our family feels more at home and cozy-like in the Costa Mesa-Huntington Beach area. They built some fan-tastic new homes off on Golden West,(that's a street), so check those out too. I know I've said it over and over again, but you'll love alllll these places to raise your family. Good luck to you and hope you have a safe move!

[Donna7]

Grimstuff, Huntman, Konijn, thank you SO very, very much for giving me input. It's been a while since I posted this thread - I was really delighted to read feedback.

Konijn, did I read on one of the posts that you're moving out of state? You sound like you know and LOVE CA a lot. Thank you for such a detailed description of everything - I can visualize much of what you're saying based on your descriptions.

Thank you to all!

[konijn]

Yes, we are moving out of state. We LOVE California, and the town we live in and we will miss everything from the convenient shopping and cafe's and restaurants/eateries and the people. We would like to get a house. In California we just can't do it, nor does it look even possible that we can ever do that. We made up our minds that I would stay home with the children and my husband would work. This is a treat for me and I feel better that I don't have to put my kids in daycare. If my husband made $100,000 we wouldn't even think about moving but he doesn't, which that's fine too. So we just have to move where we can afford a home-which is our goal and our dream. I know you will love California. We love this Costa Mesa-Huntington area so much, it just feels so much like home and comfortable. Safe travels to you! -

[Donna7]

Konijn, thank you for your reply. I am sorry that the cost of living in CA is forcing a move (so to speak) to another state that will be able to afford your desire to stay home with the kids. I totally honor that decision as I am also a stay-at-home mom at this point in my life; have dedicated the last 15 years to that raising 7 kids. My husband and I both have professional degrees; I've been running a home direct sales business for the last 10 years, and supplement our household income. I really hope that things get better in CA as far as cost of housing, etc. because it sure seems that the middle-class is being forced out at an alarming rate. I really, really hope that trend reverses soon.

With that said, I want to wish you and your family all the very best in the future, I wish you much happiness, health, peace, abundance, and prosperity, and I hope that you find a wonderful family-type community in which your family will thrive in. Wishing you a peaceful and easy move and transition. Please stay in touch - I really thank you for your feedback.

[Sassberto]

A couple points...

first - most of the people "leaving" LA and San Diego are moving an hour inland to San Bernardino and Riverside County. Their jobs, friends, and family remain in LA, and their ties to those communities remain as well.

also, a lot of those people moving to Arizona or Vegas are going to be coming back to SoCal in the next few years - especially if the housing market gets really soft. I met a guy today - lasted 2 years in Arizona before he realized he "couldn't take the heat."

I grew up on Long Island and everyone my age now either lives in NYC, Florida, or North Carolina. They aren't going back to the Long Island anytime soon, but they are revitalizing formerly bad neighborhoods in NYC in droves.

[Caliguy2007]

I agree with you....Alot of Californians are no longer leaving the State,but just moving inland towards The Inland Empire,The Central Valley and The Desert.

Originally Posted by Sassberto

A couple points...

first - most of the people "leaving" LA and San Diego are moving an hour inland to San Bernardino and Riverside County. Their jobs, friends, and family remain in LA, and their ties to those communities remain as well.

also, a lot of those people moving to Arizona or Vegas are going to be coming back to SoCal in the next few years - especially if the housing market gets really soft. I met a guy today - lasted 2 years in Arizona before he realized he "couldn't take the heat."

I grew up on Long Island and everyone my age now either lives in NYC, Florida, or North Carolina. They aren't going back to the Long Island anytime soon, but they are revitalizing formerly bad neighborhoods in NYC in droves.

[Need_affordable_home]

Originally Posted by konijn

Hi, you mentioned San Luis Obispo? We used to live a half hour away. CUTE town!! But to live....well...in that area, my husband found to have a hard time to find a job. Prices are expensive BUT it's like that all over S.California. It's really beautiful there too. The air is cleaner and cooler and the sun feels "clear". It's a little different than S. California by San Jan Capistrano/Laguna Niquel area though. Last year, starter homes were in the $600,000. They did come down into the $500,000's but I hope you don't get shocked because you may think,"$500,000 for this??" You definately don't get much house for the money. A two story home is about in the 700-900,000's.

Has prices bottomed out in that area? Thats a big drop! Prices here are dropping too and development has slowed too. Define "starter home" and how much house does half mil get there? Here you get quite a bit of house but only the rich can afford it anyway. How big is a "two story" house?
Just curious about this



It is true alot of Californians are moving to north California. The prices there are so much cheaper! North Florida is also cheaper but still too expensive for many of us!