does my ideal cali city exist? (San Jose, Vista: condo, job market, colleges)

[outaPA]

So, the farther you get away from the ocean, the sunnier and warmer, right? What would the summers be like in Boulder Creek? And the winters?

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by outaPA

So, the farther you get away from the ocean, the sunnier and warmer, right? What would the summers be like in Boulder Creek? And the winters?

Well, it's in the mountains, so it's a bit colder during the winter... but these aren't big mountains, therefore they don't get snow (very rarely). Summers should be nice, but a little warmer than other parts of the Bay Area. I went there in the summer once, and it was really warm and sunny. Basically, you could say it's more seasonal! And I'm guessing they don't get too much fog in the actual town, since it's above the usual "blanket"... though driving up there during foggy season can get treacherous. Sorry I can't be more specific, but I've only been there a couple of times! City-data has weather info for the town, which should give you an idea.

[lstyles]

Summers can be very warm 80-90's, winters with frost 30-50, both are day quotes. nights do cool down. a very cozey community. also a typical commute area over and through the woods...

[Sassberto]

FYI - "Cali" is a city in Colombia. You are moving to California. ;-)

You'll get used to it.. just like when people call Michigan "back east".

[Deserter]

I lived there for four years. It can get warm in the summer with the occasional triple-digit heat wave, but you can always get in the shade of one of those beautiful redwood trees to escape. The winters can be little sunless with the trees blocking the light. You might want to look for a lot that has a little bit of a clearing for winter sun but also some redwoods for summer shade. It's a cute little town. I really loved being at my house there and just smelling the air and admiring the trees. There are a few small restaurants there and in the neighoring towns of Ben Lomond and Felton. The drive to San Jose on Bear Creek Road is spectacularly beautiful and was a fantastic way to get to work. There are plenty of horsy areas around there and also down in the Corralitos/Pleasant Valley area near Aptos.

Downsides: The whole bay area is quite expensive. Some houses in the Santa Cruz mountains have many non-county approved "improvements" that are no quite up to code. If it's a particularly rainy winter, the roads can be blocked by mudslides and/or fallen trees. (Some people carry chainsaws to clear the road as they go.) A higher-than-average number of VW vans can sometimes slow you down on the roads. The roads are fun to drive, but I suggest a smaller vehicle with good handling. Look for the flattest lot possible and have a geologist inspect the area above/behind you for slide potential.

[Susie885]

Gizmo980, you would like the Central Coast area of California, the counties of Ventura, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. Perfect weather, beautiful beaches, very low crime. All 3 have colleges: Cal State Channel Islands, UC-Santa Barbara, and Cal Poly San Luis. And those are great places to be near and make friends quickly.

[johnny12]

Originally Posted by phree_spirit

Hey all, I'm thinking of moving to cali next year, but I have a few things I would like to consider before making my final descion. I'm from Connecticut and things can be pretty quiet around
So does my ideal city exist?

Have you made a decision about moving yet? I'm also from CT (meriden) and I hope to move to the west coast when my son graduates(2008). If you've gone to check things out let me know what you've found.
Thanks & Good Luck
p.s. I'm tired of winters too, even thought this year we haven't really had one

[notmeofficer]

I grew up in West Hartford.. and winter here is nothing like New England.. trust me.. even in the snow areas its so dry its nothing like the east coast grey drabness bone chilling cold...

Northern California is the "quieter" part of California as you get away from the Bay Area or Sacramento (those are zoo-like).. I moved to Redding after my life in SO CAL.. because of recreational opportunities and cheap land.. not so cheap now.. but iit s still available... We dont have four seasons.. hot summers cool sometimes rainy winters.. Im at 1300 ft... go up to 4000 and you would be in snow.. fairly low crime here depending upon location.. (although Shasta County was the states parolee dumping ground for years... but that practice has changed)

California isnt like Conn in regards to small towns.. something different in the water here trust me... if you looking for a Canton.. or Avon.. or Simsbury... or a 100 other smaller Conn towns.. they dont really exist like that here... Davis Ca.. compared to a Conn town wouldnt be a fair comparison,, Davis is really a suburb of a larger metro area

You might find towns like Anderson, Cottonwood, Red Bluff... more like small Connecticut towns I guess.. where there is some semblance of community.. California is intense.. so are the people here,, nothing like laid back Connecticut yankees.. so be prepared for that...
Add some more parameters for us and we can give some more guided advice

[johnny12]

[quote=notmeofficer;280480] California is intense.. so are the people here,, nothing like laid back Connecticut yankees.. so be prepared for that...
Intense how? I never thought of CT people laid back, it seems like everyone just ingnores each other. The only other place I can compare the people with is FLA. Holy****, that was a culture shock!

[notmeofficer]

I have found connecticut people to be reserved compared to california people.. you might find that refreshing.. growing up in the green trees of west hartford going to nice schools and then flying over L.A..... for like 40 minutes before landing and not seeing ANY open space.. nothing but roads and houses and people

now thats a culture shock.. Los Angeles (metro) is not a friendly city.. people are too used to having other run games on them... you wont find that in a small Connecticut town

You can find the other extreme in California.. I guess thats why it still draws so many people seeking the dream... its hard to find here if you live in the metro places and arent wealthy...
Would I want to go back to CT.. no way... but Im also thinking about relocating out of California because Im burned out on the dream here.. for all the reasons we, who live here, post up..
Fabulous weather can only sustain you for so long.. but then again some people can live a life where they feel minimally affected by what goes on around them.... for me pollution overcrowding sleaze ungodly traffic gangs crime rude people fake bimbos kooky government end up overwhelming the senses eventually