Anywhere in SoCal feel like Alameda? (Los Angeles, San Diego: to live, moving, beach)

[Alamedan]

My partner and I moved away from Alameda a couple of years ago... actually, we moved away from California... and now realize it was a mistake to leave... and are working on moving back...

The easiest thing to do would be to go back to Alameda, since we have many friends there, but we'd like to also check out Southern California... Since we're doing another big move, our though is, we might as well consider other areas too...

I swear we've spend hours a day researching SoCal, but seems that Alameda is pretty unique... walkable, small town feel, safe, easy access to the big city, tolerant... We haven't found anywhere that fits the bill.

Are there any places in Southern California that resemble Alameda? I guess the obvious comparison is Coronado, since it's an island too, but we aren't rich enough to live there...

We're going back to visit in August and checking out all kinds of places - Palm Springs area, San Diego, Los Angeles and back to Alameda... Does anyone have any suggestions on anywhere "down south" that might fit the bill?

[Sassberto]

Originally Posted by Alamedan

We're going back to visit in August and checking out all kinds of places - Palm Springs area, San Diego, Los Angeles and back to Alameda... Does anyone have any suggestions on anywhere "down south" that might fit the bill?

I wouldn't call Coronado "liberal" at all.

Pasadena would be a good bet.

[Alamedan]

Originally Posted by Sassberto

I wouldn't call Coronado "liberal" at all.

Pasadena would be a good bet.

Oops... good point... I wouldn't call it liberal either.. I was just trying to think of another island in Southern California....

[18Montclair]

I think that SoCal's version of Alameda can be found in the Belmont Shore area of Long Beach. There's an upscale yet small town feel there and a strong sense of community more reminiscient of a bay area town than a SoCal suburb, there's also proximity to water that is similar to Alameda, the weather is very similar to Alameda, its a relatively progressive area like Alameda and there is a healthy pedestrian friendly corridor that is a kin to Park Street in Alameda.

Anyway, Good Luck!

[hotornot]

Pt. Loma?

Maybe OB, too, when you consider that they call OB "the Berkeley of Southern California".

[Alamedan]

Wow, Ocean Beach sounds pretty interesting.... I can't quite figure out Point Loma...

But will definitely take a look at both when we're in town...

Thanks!

[94501westender]

Originally Posted by Alamedan

My partner and I moved away from Alameda a couple of years ago... actually, we moved away from California... and now realize it was a mistake to leave... and are working on moving back...

The easiest thing to do would be to go back to Alameda, since we have many friends there, but we'd like to also check out Southern California... Since we're doing another big move, our though is, we might as well consider other areas too...

I swear we've spend hours a day researching SoCal, but seems that Alameda is pretty unique... walkable, small town feel, safe, easy access to the big city, tolerant... We haven't found anywhere that fits the bill.

Are there any places in Southern California that resemble Alameda? I guess the obvious comparison is Coronado, since it's an island too, but we aren't rich enough to live there...

We're going back to visit in August and checking out all kinds of places - Palm Springs area, San Diego, Los Angeles and back to Alameda... Does anyone have any suggestions on anywhere "down south" that might fit the bill?

on the LA/OC border. I lived there while attending CSULB and loved it. Belmont Shores/Naples is also nice.