Moving To California (San Jose, San Francisco, Sacramento: apartments, rental, neighborhood)

[Chloe Dog]

I'm considering moving to California in the next year or so. I'm in search of reasonable housing, where I can have my big dog and where there is a positive and active lesbian/gay community. I am a career social worker, although am hoping to move into management with Barnes & Noble. My sister is in Ventura and some other relatives in San Jose and being close is good, but not paramount to my move. Anyone with any advise, clues, secrets...whatever on making the big move and surviving financially....I'd appreciate any information. Thanks so much : )

[ArizonaBear]

Originally Posted by Chloe Dog

I'm considering moving to California in the next year or so. I'm in search of reasonable housing, where I can have my big dog and where there is a positive and active lesbian/gay community. I am a career social worker, although am hoping to move into management with Barnes & Noble. My sister is in Ventura and some other relatives in San Jose and being close is good, but not paramount to my move. Anyone with any advise, clues, secrets...whatever on making the big move and surviving financially....I'd appreciate any information. Thanks so much : )

Frankly; you may be better off networking with kindred spirits (GLBT) to help avoid homophobic areas.

Your biggest problem (literally) will probably be finding a rental that accepts dogs above 20 lbs.

[Chloe Dog]

Thanks AZ Bear....well I've actually found an good number of apartments on the internet in CA that take dogs up to 75 lbs.., so I'm not as worried about that as I am, finding a good neighborhood, gay friendly and reasonable. Thanks for your input : )

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Chloe Dog

I'm in search of reasonable housing,

What's your budget?
Where are you going to work?

[Chloe Dog]

Charles ~ Most likely I will be working with CPS to get started, possibly retail managment if things work out. For rent, roughly $1200 per month for a 1-2 bedroom. Thanks ~ Chloe Dog

[FLAguy]

How about San Francisco?

[Capt. Dan]

Chloe Dog-check out a Central coast city called San Luis Obispo. halfway between san Jose and Ventura so you can easily see family. It has a large enough population-44000-so that social workers are needed and it has a good retail environment because of all the college students[Cal Poly] and tourists. i lived there for 25 years and although i am not gay, i remember a fairly large, community involved, highly educated gay/lesbian community there. Sounds like it may be worth looking into. Whatever you decide, GOOD LUCK! Oh yes! You CANT beat the weather there!

[Chloe Dog]

Lt. Dan ~ Thanks so much for the suggestion.....that is one of the areas that seems to be popping up quite alot in my research. As for Social Work....there are always jobs with CPS in California! So, while I'd like to change my career a bit....social work, I'm sure will get me started. Have a Happy Holiday....and thanks for the info!

[100%Michigan]

Well if price wasnt a issue you may like San Fransico, but I think Sacramento is much better ( due to money. )

[Lanai]

Have you considered Palm Springs, California? It has a large gay community.

Palm Springs is beyond hot in the summer, absolutely beautiful in the winter! Surrounded by mountains. It is so easy to get around PS. Driving is a pleasure. People are friendly. A lot of good restaraunts.

Desert Regional Medical Center in Palm Springs, Eisenhower Medical Center in either Palm Desert or Rancho Mirage.

I don't know about the price of apts.

Just know, it's really, really, hot in the summer.

Good luck!