Newbie with no awareness of CALI... potential move! (San Diego, Santa Ana: 2015, rent)

[mf_colon]

Hello all!

I wanted to get some input on something. My husband has been working remotely for a company based out of California. If things continue to go well, they will offer him a position at one of their offices within the next year. We were strongly considering the move just because it's a great opportunity for him.

My family and I (hubby and two girls ages 10 and 15) currently live in New York City. I have never been to California and wanted to pick your brains about the choices he is being given for relocation. For now, we will be renting only. If anyone has input on: Cost of living? Schooling? Vibe? Traveling? Congestion? Population? Venues and entertainment? Environmental factors? Weather? Political and cultural climate? Anything you can tell me, no matter large or small we want to hear.

These will probably be his choices:
San Fernando, CA
Covina, CA
San Bernadino, CA

And MAYBE... Orange, CA (although that was not offered but things might change in a year.)

Thank you all!

[GSR13]

I'd love to answer the question but I just can't get past your username

[mf_colon]

"I'd love to answer the question but I just can't get past your username"

OK...... Glad this first post was so informative.

[nightlysparrow]

Work in San Fernando, live in Burbank, where the schools are good. A three-bed apt, maybe $2500-$3000 or if lucky you can rent a house for a bit more. Nice clean streets, mellower vibe than in the heart of LA. You both should have a car. Air pollution, yes. Lots to do, it's in the LA Metro, second-largest city in the US in population. There is plenty of traffic.

Weather and politics? You must be kidding, but okay: perfect and blue.

[SierraCountyMtnBiker]

San Bernadino has the potential to be the lowest COLA area

It is also 18 min from a town that boasts having the longest living individuals in the world.

Why Loma Linda residents live longer than the rest of us: They treat the body like a temple - LA Times

So I would choose San Bernadino somewhere not far from Loma Linda

I wouldn't live in Loma Linda. No way

Some time back there was huge controversy about a McDonalds coming into their town


The rest of the areas you listed are hella expensive with bad air polution


Offhand I didn't check Orange California so cannot comment on that except I believe it is pricey

Your husband will be making a set amount of $$right, not in relation to COLA?
If so, there appears only one option here jmho

[SierraCountyMtnBiker]

Here is the compare cities tool for sperlings


Moderator cut: Link removed, linking to competitor sites is not allowed

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by mf_colon

These will probably be his choices:
San Fernando, CA
Covina, CA
San Bernadino, CA

And MAYBE... Orange, CA (although that was not offered but things might change in a year.)

If you're from New York City, you and your family might be in for a culture shock in all three of those cities. It sounds as if Orange might be a better fit. And if you'are transplanting pre-teens and teenagers, you want to be very selective with schools.

[Finper]

Originally Posted by mf_colon

"I'd love to answer the question but I just can't get past your username"

OK...... Glad this first post was so informative.

some people hate the term Cali. Personally I like it... I say cali all the time.


Your best bet is to spend a week here and visit all those areas. They are pretty different is all respects. Also bring your check book Ca is very expensive. Good luck with wherever you land.

[Mugsy]

Originally Posted by Finper

some people hate the term Cali. Personally I like it... I say cali all the time.


Your best bet is to spend a week here and visit all those areas. They are pretty different is all respects. Also bring your check book Ca is very expensive. Good luck with wherever you land.

OP is currently living in New York City. I am sure they can afford Cali

I would 2nd to work in the SF Valley and live in Burbank and personally I would try to get to Orange, Ca next year.

[Beardown91737]

I worked in San Bernardino for 17 years and lived 23 miles to the west, which was a 30 min commute. It would be about halfway between San Bernardino and Covina. It is a nice and affordable area. Schools are good in Alta Loma School District or Etiwanda School District.

Vibe is where you look for it. Not a lot of live theater. There are concerts at the CBB arena in Ontario and at some casinos in the Coachella Valley.

You can travel out of one of the easiest to use airports in the country, but count on making a connection. Still it is better to make a connection than to use that congested dump to the west. By car you can spend weekends in Phoenix, Las Vegas, or take a trip to a national park. Skiing is also a short drive in Big Bear or Wrightwood. It is 1 hour to 1:15 to the beach, and you can choose your favorite. San Diego can be either a weekend or a day trip.

Politically it is reddish purple, but retired public employee union members like to run for city council with that "law encorcement", "firefighter", and "teacher" endorsement, meaning they will give all kinds of free candy to the public employee unions. You can't escape that in any city.

Weather is hot summers and mild winters, but there are occasional frost warnings which could affect backyard citrus trees.

The views are awesome. In the winter I could see the City of Corona and the Santa Ana mountains that are 20 miles away. In the summer, smog degrades that somewhat.