artsy and liberal towns in southern California? (Los Angeles, San Diego: rent, school)

[Everleighdy81]

Hey all,
so I am looking to move to southern california. I want to live near the beach. I'm a 26 year old female and am looking for artsy, liberal areas that have a decent music scene. I am looking for towns that haven't been completely taken over by chains and large corporations-mini malls, Panera Breads, Gaps and Starbucks. I don't care too much for family communities or large tourist attractions but would like a town that has some decent night life and other people my age. I would also like an area that is open to alternative health/diets-it's important that I live in a town that has a Whole Foods/Trader Joes or something similar-I'm not a vegetarian but I'm big on eating organic and use alot of soy and rice substitutes due to some food allergies. Lastly, it would be nice to be in a community that is more left wing, where the residents are politically and environmentally conscious. I know some of it sounds so petty, I'm just trying to give you an idea of the kind of person I am with the hope that it may be helpful in the kind of suggestions that you throw out. Any suggestions would be great. I've been told Ocean Beach and Hillcrest in San Diego, Ventura and Laguna Beach. Thanks for taking the time, I could use all the help I can get.

[bhcompy]

East Arts District/Ocean Blvd area in Long Beach, Belmont Shore, Naples/Long Beach Marina/Alamitos Bay areas, Seal Beach, Surfside, Sunset Beach, Huntington Beach

They go down the coast in that order and there is a Trader Joes and Wild Oats between Naples and Seal in the Marina area. Music scene is in Long Beach(of which Belmont Shore and Naples are in) and Huntington, among others.

Laguna probably wouldn't fit your political desires as much as the areas I mentioned.

[lucero32]

Other than the beach...which is a big "other than"...Portland Oregon has everything you're looking for. Plus, lots of rain, trees, moss, and rivers.

Just an idea...

[Charles]

Originally Posted by Everleighdy81

I know some of it sounds so petty, I'm just trying to give you an idea of the kind of person I am with the hope that it may be helpful in the kind of suggestions that you throw out. Any suggestions would be great.

It doesn't sound petty. More information would probably help people fine tune responses to you.

What line of work are you in?
Where might you expect to work/school?
What is your rent budget or housing price range?

[Sorcerer68]

You've got Venice Beach written all over you.

[bond1978]

That won't be hard really anywhere in Los Angeles.

[bond1978]

Alhambra. Need I say more.

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Everleighdy81

Hey all,
so I am looking to move to southern california. I want to live near the beach. I'm a 26 year old female and am looking for artsy, liberal areas that have a decent music scene. I am looking for towns that haven't been completely taken over by chains and large corporations-mini malls, Panera Breads, Gaps and Starbucks. I don't care too much for family communities or large tourist attractions but would like a town that has some decent night life and other people my age. I would also like an area that is open to alternative health/diets-it's important that I live in a town that has a Whole Foods/Trader Joes or something similar-I'm not a vegetarian but I'm big on eating organic and use alot of soy and rice substitutes due to some food allergies. Lastly, it would be nice to be in a community that is more left wing, where the residents are politically and environmentally conscious. I know some of it sounds so petty, I'm just trying to give you an idea of the kind of person I am with the hope that it may be helpful in the kind of suggestions that you throw out. Any suggestions would be great. I've been told Ocean Beach and Hillcrest in San Diego, Ventura and Laguna Beach. Thanks for taking the time, I could use all the help I can get.

The first thing, what is your budget and where will you work? Finding a job will be the biggest challenge. As for organic foods, in So California that is an easy one. You will have no problems. If you can afford the rent Laguna Beach would fit you to a tee, so would Venice and what about places like Redondo and Hermosa Beach?

As for left wing, politically conscious, they do not always go together, but that is for another posting. Most of the beach communities will be liberal, how many of the young people really vote could be a different thing.

Nita

[webbish6]

I've lived in Southern California (San Diego area) for a year (I came from Seattle) and I can tell you San Diego, despite having a lot of college students, is a very conservative town. There are pockets - maybe in Hillcrest and North Park - that are more liberal. But in general, much more conservative than any town around Seattle.

[waggie]

define "decent music scene"