Best Place In CA To Live??? (San Diego, Huntington Beach: low crime, movies, living in) - City-Data Forum

SiddharthaGautama · 01-04-2007, 01:15 AM

I know this question comes up all of the time and if somebody asked me it I would simply tell them to visit first. And I am going to try and do that but I might not have a chance before I have to move. I will be moving from St. Louis Missouri, I am 25 years old and a film grad. I don't have a job lined up which is why I am looking for help. I've been out to California before but its just been so long ago. The places I am trying to decide between are: Malibu/Topanga , Hermosa/Manhattan , Huntington Beach/Aliso Viejo , or Pacific Beach/San Diego I am a laid back person originally from a small town which means I'd prefer not to put up with the city traffic but I know thats where a lot of jobs are. I'm basically looking for a place with warm weather, nice people, low crime, outdoor recreation(love to surf and play basketball). I know every place probably has that so I need some local ca advice.

greatbasinguide · 01-04-2007, 06:09 PM

Pismo Beach or Avila Beach

pipttsteelers247 · 01-04-2007, 08:20 PM

It all depends on what exactly you are looking for, San Diego would be my pick because the weather is fantastic. A man just wrote a book on the 100 best climates on earth and San Diego was second, just behind La Palma Spain. The temperatures are more mellow because it is by the coast, with temperatures rarely getting below 45 degrees in the midst of an early winters morning, unlike L.A. where it can sometimes get down into the upper 30's at night in the winter. It can be 93 degrees in L.A. in July but just South in San Diego, it will only be around 80. in summer the temps at night usually stay around 70 degrees. San Diego is also much safer than L.A. and although it is the 7th largest city in the U.S. it maintains a small town feel.

Des_Demona · 01-05-2007, 03:41 PM

I wouldn't live in Aliso Viejo.... too small and boring. I lived there for a year and moved. I'm 25 as well. All of the other choices on your list are perfect for a 25 year old film grad though. If you can afford all of them then you are in good shape. If you have enough money to live in Manhattan Beach go for it. Malibu is boring and overrated. It's also isolated from everything so you have to drive quite a ways to get anywhere. Huntington Beach is okay for a young person... I don't have much to say about it... I just wouldn't want to live in Orange County. I'd say go with San Diego/Pacific Beach/Manhattan Beach - those would be my top choices for you.

SiddharthaGautama · 12-13-2007, 05:32 PM

In your opinion would it be hard to get work in film living in San Diego? If I choose LA, which would be better Manhattan or Hermosa? From what I've heard Hermosa is cheaper and more suited towards younger people where Manhattan has more older people..would you agree???

Charles · 12-13-2007, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by california???

In your opinion would it be hard to get work in film living in San Diego? If I choose LA, which would be better Manhattan or Hermosa? From what I've heard Hermosa is cheaper and more suited towards younger people where Manhattan has more older people..would you agree???

In your opinion, what does "hard" mean?

Sassberto · 12-13-2007, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by california???

In your opinion would it be hard to get work in film living in San Diego?

Difficult to impossible. If you want to work in film or entertainment, you move to LA. San Diego is a non-starter. If something is shot in SD, it's because a crew drove 2.5 hours from LA to shoot it.

MisterMark · 12-13-2007, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sassberto

Difficult to impossible. If you want to work in film or entertainment, you move to LA. San Diego is a non-starter. If something is shot in SD, it's because a crew drove 2.5 hours from LA to shoot it.

True. One of the few drawbacks about San Diego (for me) is the feeling that "the action" is 2 hours north in L.A.

MisterMark · 12-13-2007, 07:48 PM

Actually, I'll add this: If your "film work" happens to be producing adult movies, you can do that in San Diego without much of a problem.

SiddharthaGautama · 12-17-2007, 01:46 PM

Thanks Sassberto and MM. Unfortunately my film experience/work isn't in the adult field. But you guys have pretty much cleared it up for me. If thats what I want to work in, then SD probably isn't the best place.