Single mom, physician, looking for a perfect place in California

[Joe Van Fossen]

If you do consider So Cal, I'd second the Irvine suggestion. Great weather, great schools, and according to the FBI, it's the safest place in the country.

[Asheville1]

Originally Posted by Joe Van Fossen

If you do consider So Cal, I'd second the Irvine suggestion. Great weather, great schools, and according to the FBI, it's the safest place in the country.

All true. PLUS, Irvine is the most sterile city I've ever experienced. If that's ur cup 'o tea. I prefer unvarnished, unplasticized environ.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

IMO, San Jose/Silicon Valley has its challenges for single people. There have been a number of threads discussing the single social scene in the valley. Many work really long hours chasing the golden carrot. Hence the social scene and work/life balance aren't really so great. Many go from home to garage to car to work (late) then back home (repeat cycle). Some end up driving to SF for more social activities.

I live in S.V. and this is largely true. While my life is not like the rat race described, it is for a lot of other people, which definitely affects social life here.

[JanND]

Originally Posted by LDDiamondGirl

Sounds like you are looking for a needle in a California haystack. No traffic, and you can do without restaurants, nightlife and shopping, but you don't want rural either? This may be hard to find in California. San Luis Obispo is still pretty rural. It is an Ag town, with an Ag university, but it is a great little town for people who don't go out much, don't dress up much, have kids and want a safe healthy environment with a university nearby (which employs half the town), the ocean, and which has the California casual/laid back, manana environment. There is one Cultural venue...the Performing Arts Ctr at the University, where you can see concerts, theatre, and some world class entertainment occasionally. Sounds like you should explore this area. I love Santa Barbara, what a great place to live, but it is very expensive because of all the things it has to offer which are all the things you say you can live without - so why pay for it? Check out SLO.

My Niece lives in Atascadero Sp? I believe it is near SLO...and she adores it there. I think it may be the small town atmosphere you are seeking. The best way to find your ideal may be to utilize the Forum home page. Look up any towns, it gives so much information, stats, relevant issues to today's relocators...a very great place to start your search. Just click on "city-data forum" at the top of this page, and then City-Data Homepage at the top of the list on the page that comes up. Here is just one search http://www.city-data.com/search/?cx=....com%252F#1045