Southern California..what's the best option for us? (San Diego, Oceanside: house, to buy)

[augentier]

My boyfriend and I are interested in moving to California and are wondering what the cities are for young couples in their 20's. We're both 26 and I am from the midwest (Kansas) and he's from Nashville, TN..we've both traveled enough so don't "warn" us about the differences between the midwest/south and the west coast...we know

I've lived in northern Cali for 3 months and I liked it..except for the solitude. I lived outside of Benbow, in Humboldt county. We are looking to move to the southern part of the state because we both love warm climates, warm waters/beaches, and a diverse social life..so what would you recommend? Neither of us have our degree so jobs in a specific area really don't matter...I'm into the arts (specifically web design), so that's that...

I was thinking of Carlsbad, because it's close to San Diego and it's on the coast. My aunt lived there and liked it. We are both interested in surfing and outdoors activities.

We just want a change..warm weather, warm waters, nice beaches, diverse and laid back people, good shopping/restaurants..but also the chance to buy a house in a less populated area..so somewhere close to the ocean but maybe not directly on it.

Where would you recommend?

[Senno]

Well, hello from CA. My family includes dust bowlers from Kansas.

What's your budget? That's the most important thing to ask at this point.

That and your personal definition of SCA. Cause I might have to reach into the Central Coast area if necessary. Umm, it might be very important how close to the beach you have to be also.

Carlsbad is nice if you have the budget. I'd trust my auntie prolly.

I'm up for some music though while we wait. This song describes Senno's family as they left Kansas for greener pastures he thinks.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tH2w6Oxx0kQ

[augentier]

Hello

Well my definition of southern California is anywhere south of Santa Barbara. We don't really have a budget...I mean, we do, but we're really going to wing it. We're saving up money for the next 6 months and there is probably going to be a friend or two coming with us, so that will bring the cost of living down for all of us.

30 min. max from the beach is acceptable..

[Spikett]

You said you wanted warm water - well, the ocean here is pretty chilly. Not sure what "warm" means to you but if you're thinking about the Atlantic coast in SC/GA/FL or the Gulf - well, the Pacific off of CA is not ever that warm. Ever. Surfers generally wear wetsuits. Here's a site with ocean temps at Carlsbad - you'll see that even in summer, the high is under 70 degrees.

Carlsbad City Beach Water Temperature (Sea) and Wetsuit Guide (San Diego County, USA)

Compare that to Daytona Beach, FL

http://www.tropicalweather.net/picts...emperature.jpg

[kttam186290]

Ventura

[happyinca]

Carlsbad is nice, but very expensive. Oceanside is just north of Carlsbad and more affordable. If you want specific information about San Diego County, post in that forum. There are some very helpful people there. As someone mentioned the water is not "warm" anywhere in the Pacific Ocean, unless we are talking about Hawaii. In September it does get to above 70 degrees which is when I hit the beach in San Diego and fortunately when the tourists are leaving.

The part about "also the chance to buy a house in a less populated area..so somewhere close to the ocean but maybe not directly on it." That was Southern California in the 1950s and 1960s, sure you could buy a house close to the beach and it was not expensive, but those days are over. Now welcome to the million dollar club. I don't want to be a negative nellie but it is hard to find a shack within 3 miles of any beach for less than $500,000. And everywhere near a beach is crowded. You need to come and visit and see for yourself.

The lifestyle in San Diego County is nice, friendly, laidback. But you will need good paying jobs to survive. It is nothing like Humboldt county. I have been up there many times, have family there. That part of CA is remote, not crowded. It is the opposite down here.

[Think4Yourself]

Try Pacific Beach.

[Steve97415]

Originally Posted by augentier

30 min. max from the beach is acceptable..

By what mode of transportation? Walking? Cycling? Bus? Given the traffic in southern California beach towns, you might have to live within 2 miles of the beach to drive yourself there in half an hour (and that doesn't include time trying to find a parking spot).

[Ceece]

If you are 30 minutes from a beach you may as well be an hour from it. I mean, unless you are spending all your time of the beach for work and/or pleasure (surfing, etc.) and not just the occasional weekend "dip my toes in the ocean for fun" stuff you probably don't need to be that close becasue, realistically, you won't be there often. What with working and commuting and other life obligations it not unusual. My daughter lived 7 blocks from the beach in SM, worked on Main St even, and went to the beach maybe 4 times in 6 months. There is so much more to do.

[goozer]

Originally Posted by Think4Yourself

Try Pacific Beach.

Agreed. I think a 20-something couple looking to live the SoCal lifestyle would be much happier in PB than Carlsbad. Carlsbad is more family oriented (but I guess that goes for most places compared to PB!!!). IMO, PB is the kind of place you'd ONLY want to live in during your 20s.