What can you tell me about California? Best cities?

[YoungProfessional9]

Originally Posted by BayAreaHillbilly

Instead of CA look at other up and coming artistic hubs, elsewhere in the country. Then thank me 20 years from now for telling you not to waste your efforts here, only to end up p____ poor.

LOL! I'm considering second tier or less popular cities as well. I have worked too hard to get to the point where I'm at to lose all my savings... Though I don't mind making some sacrifices. If you think of any suggestions, Please share! Thanks for the advice.

[YoungProfessional9]

Originally Posted by mayorhaggar

Best place to live in CA is wherever you can get a job! Find a job first then everything else will fall into line. If you don't end up making much money you can live with roommates, plenty of people in CA do that. Pretty much anywhere in coastal California is nice but a lot of areas are pretty remote which means way less jobs. The Bay Area, LA and San Diego are the main population centers, otherwise it can be really remote. I'd look at those three areas and look for work there and see what nibbles you get, and travel to them to see if you like them as places to live.

Love this advice, thank you thank you.... Fishing for a job it is! ...Def wouldnt live without a roommate!

[EclecticEars]

No offense to Northeast Ohio, but any place in California, even Bakersfield, will beat the hell out of pretty much the entire Ohio Valley and Great Lakes.

How do I know? I've lived in Louisville, KY (I'm from near there) and Cincinnati...and I'd still rather live in Bakersfield, Redding, Stockton, or Santa Maria.

The only places in California where I don't think I'd live are some towns very close to the border (San Diego excepted), towns high up in the Sierras, and some of the worst 'hoods and cities within the larger metros (i.e.: Southcentral L.A., Compton, San Bernardino, Adelanto, East Palo Alto, Richmond, West Oakland, etc.)

I make it fine here in the Bay Area with a low income, living in a decent neighborhood and in a nice apartment by myself. I'm scrappy and entertain myself with free things while splurging on the occasional ethnic meal, wine tasting, or drive to the coast to take pictures. The best part? No debt to my name and I don't have the seemingly ingrained California mentality of "presenting an image," i.e.: leasing a $50K Escalade or $45-60K Lexus ES series.

[oddstray]

A minor thing, but it bugs some of us. Cali is a small cartel town in Mexico. The state we live in is California, or Calif. or CA.

[YoungProfessional9]

Originally Posted by oddstray

A minor thing, but it bugs some of us. Cali is a small cartel town in Mexico. The state we live in is California, or Calif. or CA.

Yeah I had someone correct me. Sorry about that. Didn't know any better.

[sacramento916]

Originally Posted by YoungProfessional9

LOL! I'm considering second tier or less popular cities as well. I have worked too hard to get to the point where I'm at to lose all my savings... Though I don't mind making some sacrifices. If you think of any suggestions, Please share! Thanks for the advice.

You should try Sacramento. It's overshadowed by many of its more famous sister cities in California, but it is still the capitol of California, has 2.3 million in its metro, has a nice and up and coming arts and dining scene, the second largest housing stock of old Victorian homes in the state, and a nice Bohemian atmosphere in its center city.

It's also priced way cheaper than the Bay Area, LA or SD.

Recently I just met a lesbian couple from Ohio, a hippie from New England and a yuppie from New Jersey and they all love it here. The center city is very walkable, charming, liberal and artsy. Plus, it's only 80 miles from SF or Lake Tahoe. Sacramento's got it's own regional identity albeit it is still very much Norcal, but definitely more down to earth, truly bohemian at its central city (unlike gentrified SF), and slower paced than the bay area.

[humboldtrat]

Originally Posted by YoungProfessional9

I've never been to Cali

I've never been to Cali either. I wonder what it's like in Columbia

[YoungProfessional9]

Originally Posted by humboldtrat

I've never been to Cali either. I wonder what it's like in Columbia

Yes I know I've been corrected a couple times.... Give me a break, I'm from Ohio!

[YoungProfessional9]

Originally Posted by EclecticEars

No offense to Northeast Ohio, but any place in California, even Bakersfield, will beat the hell out of pretty much the entire Ohio Valley and Great Lakes.

How do I know? I've lived in Louisville, KY (I'm from near there) and Cincinnati...and I'd still rather live in Bakersfield, Redding, Stockton, or Santa Maria.

The only places in California where I don't think I'd live are some towns very close to the border (San Diego excepted), towns high up in the Sierras, and some of the worst 'hoods and cities within the larger metros (i.e.: Southcentral L.A., Compton, San Bernardino, Adelanto, East Palo Alto, Richmond, West Oakland, etc.)

I make it fine here in the Bay Area with a low income, living in a decent neighborhood and in a nice apartment by myself. I'm scrappy and entertain myself with free things while splurging on the occasional ethnic meal, wine tasting, or drive to the coast to take pictures. The best part? No debt to my name and I don't have the seemingly ingrained California mentality of "presenting an image," i.e.: leasing a $50K Escalade or $45-60K Lexus ES series.

I know! Ohio is lame as hell. I swear people are in denial over here(with the exception of complaints about the snow). I don't know why people stay here. Its affordable. That's it.

Thanks for pointing out all those areas...Along with the places you wouldn't live. ..I'm okay with not being in a larger area, as long as it doesn't feel too remote and has enough to offer me. I'm young and full of energy, so I need to take advantage of that. ...I too am scrappy, and don't plan on spending money on impractical things.. So that's encouraging... As long as I can afford my student loans with rent lol. But I plan on having a roommate.

[YoungProfessional9]

Originally Posted by sacramento916

You should try Sacramento. It's overshadowed by many of its more famous sister cities in California, but it is still the capitol of California, has 2.3 million in its metro, has a nice and up and coming arts and dining scene, the second largest housing stock of old Victorian homes in the state, and a nice Bohemian atmosphere in its center city.

It's also priced way cheaper than the Bay Area, LA or SD.

Recently I just met a lesbian couple from Ohio, a hippie from New England and a yuppie from New Jersey and they all love it here. The center city is very walkable, charming, liberal and artsy. Plus, it's only 80 miles from SF or Lake Tahoe. Sacramento's got it's own regional identity albeit it is still very much Norcal, but definitely more down to earth, truly bohemian at its central city (unlike gentrified SF), and slower paced than the bay area.

Cool thanks! I will look into some Sacramento forums.. I had found one, and there were a few complaints about it but I can't remember why... something about the waterfront being underdeveloped? and not enough to do? Not sure. Gotta look again. Thanks for the suggestion.