Opinions on Monterey Bay area. (San Diego, Santa Cruz: apartments, rental, low crime)

[mesonerz]

I was just wondering what the general opinions are about the Monterey Bay area to live in. I might be making the move out west from NY and at first i was looking at SoCal but just looking at maps i came across Monterey Bay. Also any opinions about Santa Cruz? Just to let you know i dont really care about the dating scene or the nightlife just more concerned about nice weather and low crime rates.

Just to give a little more info. Im 31, soon to be seperated???? no kids and work for a large corporation that has offices in CA, although i dont think in the Monterey Bay area but my job is more of a trade and shouldnt be that hard to find work in my field(at least i hope lol).

[jaijai]

The Monterey Bay is wonderful.
There are places all over both counties (Monterey and Santa Cruz) that are safe.
In Monterey the 3 towns (all on the coast) that are the nicest and safest are Carmel, Pacific Grove and Monterey itself. They are also the priciest.
If you want to live a bit to the north in Santa Cruz county there are communities all over that are safe and very nice.
You needn't limit yourself to Santa Cruz proper. I love Santa Cruz but it's a bit funky.
Santa Cruz County, California
Just generally speaking, Monterey county is more stayed and culturally (not politically necessarily) conservative. It feels a bit "older" even though i believe that the demographics in that regard are quite similar.
What is your rental budget.
The relatively affordable communities in Monterey County may be to your liking but they may not be.
Almost all of Santa Cruz county is very expensive.

It does rain in California in the winter and you'll experience more of it and cooler temps the farther north you go.

[mesonerz]

Thanks for the info. I guess my rent budget would be 1200 max. ive been looking on craigslist and found some pretty nice 1br in that area for around 1k. Ive always wanted to move to San Diego but i guess im attracted the smaller city than a larger one. I dont know though San Diego isnt totally out of the picture though.

[jaijai]

Originally Posted by mesonerz

Thanks for the info. I guess my rent budget would be 1200 max. ive been looking on craigslist and found some pretty nice 1br in that area for around 1k. Ive always wanted to move to San Diego but i guess im attracted the smaller city than a larger one. I dont know though San Diego isnt totally out of the picture though.

You've found nice one bedroom apartments on craiglist for 1K where exactly? (if you feel like saying).

[mayorhaggar]

There's really not that many jobs around Monterey or Santa Cruz even when the economy is good--there's just not that much going on or many employers. And $1200 a month is a pretty low rent budget anywhere in coastal California. I'd find a job first then figure out where to live.

[mesonerz]

Originally Posted by mayorhaggar

There's really not that many jobs around Monterey or Santa Cruz even when the economy is good--there's just not that much going on or many employers. And $1200 a month is a pretty low rent budget anywhere in coastal California. I'd find a job first then figure out where to live.

Thats very good advice. I know the job is #1 on the list then location is second. Stop killing my dreams mayo.

[mesonerz]

Originally Posted by jaijai

You've found nice one bedroom apartments on craiglist for 1K where exactly? (if you feel like saying).

heres one for example with just a quick search. again keep in mind that this would be perfect for me.
Private studio with yard (http://monterey.craigslist.org/apa/2940469755.html - broken link)

[jaijai]

Originally Posted by mesonerz

heres one for example with just a quick search. again keep in mind that this would be perfect for me.
Private studio with yard (http://monterey.craigslist.org/apa/2940469755.html - broken link)

At least in Santa Cruz county a studio that close to the beach and for that price would be an exception to the rule.
If that was in S.C. county it would go very, very quickly.
I'm not nearly as familiar with Monterey county re; housing but i imagine that's a very good deal there as well.
Although i do have a dog which limits my options but still ... that's good.
It's probably very small needless to say.

I didn't mention in my first post to you that not only is there quite a bit of rain in the winter (this one was an exception and some winters are rainier than others) but in the summer, along the coast there is a considerable amount of fog.
So if you want sun, sun, sun and all of the time, you won't find that up in these parts along the coast.
However, if you do not want the fog there are options further inland ... and not that far inland either.
Again, i'm more familiar with S.C. county but here there are many, many places to live that are not that foggy or very rarely so. It depends on where you're situated in the county.
You can live just 4 or so miles inland and while you will often experience morning and late afternoon / evening fog, it usually burns off by late morning.
There are communities along the coast in S.C. county (same in Monterey county) where the fog will hang around all day ... and sometimes for many days in a row. It's not that predictable however.
In S.C. county you also have the option of living even further inland and up into the S.C. mountains. It's wonderful in the summer as the redwoods provide a great refuge from hot summer days (and it's hotter up there in the summer) but in the winter it can be quite dark, damp and quite chilly due to a lack of sun.
If you're wanting that quintessential sunny California beach scene, San Diego (or other communities in SoCal) may suit you better.
But there are many beautiful and sunny, warm days up here as well .. just not as many.

[mesonerz]

I have family in SoCal and I've visited NorCal and i remember San Fran being foggy every morning then clearing up around noon almost like clockwork. I must say though coming from NY I would prefer more sun than not. Thanks for the info.

[jaijai]

Originally Posted by mesonerz

I have family in SoCal and I've visited NorCal and i remember San Fran being foggy every morning then clearing up around noon almost like clockwork. I must say though coming from NY I would prefer more sun than not. Thanks for the info.

In S.C. county it varies. And it depends on the location and not just on the proximity to the coast.
There are many micro-climates.
And 5 miles inland in one area can differ from 5 miles inland in another area.
There are days right along the coast when it doesn't clear at all.
There are days when there's no fog.
There are days when the fog clears by late morning.
Sometimes it comes back in the late afternoon or early evening and sometimes it doesn't roll back in until much, much later.
If you want to live in the Monterey bay area (in either S.C. or Monterey county) but you don't want fog then living near the coast may not be good for you.