Does the West Coast have anything equivalent to Cape Cod ?? (Los Angeles: for sale, real estate)

[Californiaescape]

I'm in love with places like Cape Cod and Cape May. The adorable pastel colored little houses and beach cottages, The style, even the town has such character. Does the West Coast have anything like that ?? I've lived in Los Angeles and Orange county and Temecula (wine country) but i've never seen anything that comes close. San Clemente is a lovely beach city with nice outlet stores but it doesn't have the pastel little beach cottages. I've been to Carmel in Northern California and the city has that wonderful charm. But It's Victorian cottages are millions and millions of dollars. It's not a realistic place to live unless you are a wealthy retired person IMO. Does anyone know of anything on the West Coast that's a cape cod equivalent or at least similar ??

Im turning 32, just finalizing my divorce. And I have no kids so Im in the position that I can move anywhere. As far as my professional background, I worked for 15 years in customer service management (office and retail). And Im hoping you can help me find the right place to relocate.

Obviously there has to be some job opportunities. It can be retail or office work as I have experience in both, but I want to be making decent enough money to support myself as a single woman. With my good resumse I previously made $58,000/year in Orange County. In a more affordable area I would be willing to make less. I love the outdoors. (Beaches, lakes, parks, sunshine, hiking). My dream is to just have a small two bedroom two bath little cottage style home. And a backyard big enough to have a little garden.

Im not worried about school districts, public transportation, big city life (I hate traffic and smog), or having a big house or a lot of land for cheap. A simple 1 or 2 bedroom is all I need, with most of my time outdoors. Im not a city girl. Im used to a safe area with resturants and shopping within a 20 min drive to a beach.

Orange county has lots of over priced beach cities but it lacks the character and cute small homes of Cape Cod or Cape May. So... Does such a place exist on the West Coast?? I would totally move to the east coast if I could survive humidity and snowy winters !

[sav858]

Look into Fort Bragg. It's kind of far, isolated, and the weather is cool and foggy much of the time though. It's one of the few places where you will find little cute Victorians homes along the CA coast and ones that are somewhat reasonable price wise.

[Snort]

Capitola, sort of....
Mendocino, if you consider white a pastel color.

[Californiaescape]

I have looked into Fort brag. But is Zillow search returns nothing when looking for a home and I've been told there are zero jobs. I also read that there is a big drug community there.

[sav858]

Originally Posted by Californiaescape

I have looked into Fort brag. But is Zillow search returns nothing when looking for a home and I've been told there are zero jobs. I also read that there is a big drug community there.

Lots of homes for sale: Fort Bragg Real Estate - Fort Bragg CA Homes For Sale | Zillow

You're not going to find anything along the CA coast that has jobs, is affordable, with great weather, and low crime. It simply doesn't exist.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

The closest thing overall would be the San Juan Islands (up near the Canadian border). They have a similar combination of flattish landscapes, farming areas, wild areas and small towns. In fact, I'd say the San Juans are like Cape Cod many years ago, before it got (re)discovered*.

*After all, even before building up Plymouth, the Pilgrims lived on Cape Cod.

[nightlysparrow]

Lots of Victorians, fog, and oceanic climate in Ferndale and Eureka.

[RosieSD]

Have you ever been to the Oregon Coast? To the Portland area?

I grew up in the Northeast, and spent summers in Cape Code and Maine until I moved to California. I'd have to say that the Oregon Coast is the place on the west coast that reminds me the most of the Cape and coastal Maine, and you might find what you're envisioning there. Check out places like Brookings, Bandon, Yachats (I love it there), Newport, maybe Cannon Beach, and places in between. Astoria also has a definite "northeast sea coast" vibe and is a bigger town. And, in many parts of the Oregon Coast, you'll find homes that fit what you're describing that won't break the bank. Here's an example of a home for sale in Yachats: http://www.zillow.com/homes/for_sale...45_rect/10_zm/

You can find out more about these and other areas on the Oregon Coast here: http://visittheoregoncoast.com/

The downside is that there isn't a ton of job opportunity in any of those places and some of the towns are pretty tiny.

But you could live in Portland during the week for a job, and easily go to the coast every weekend, or perhaps you'll find your "Dream" amongst the waterfalls and forests east of Portland. To me at least ( and your mileage may vary), Portland is the west coast city that feels the most like it should be somewhere in the northeast. (I know others would probably say San Francisco or Seattle, and I wouldn't disagree, but Portland always feels more like where I grew up to me).

Oh, and right outside of Portland, Sauvie Island has a Cape Cod feel, even though it isnt on the ocean (it's on the Columbia river). You can see some photos of Sauvie Island here: http://sauvieislandimages.com/gallery/

[blueskywalker]

Originally Posted by Snort

Capitola, sort of....
Mendocino, if you consider white a pastel color.

Agree. Capitola, sort of.
It has the quaintness of certain New England beach towns.
If you can find and afford a little place near to "downtown" Capitola, you are fortunate.
And then there are parts of Capitola which are not what you're looking for ... more suburban and some locations may be a bit too close to 41st Ave. for your liking but even some of those neighborhoods are just fine ... but maybe not exactly what you're dreaming of.

https://www.trulia.com/CA/Capitola/

[Phrogg]

I second the Oregon coast suggestion.