Northern California. (San Francisco, Davis, Chico: rentals, job market, school)

[eggcream]

I'm 18 years old and have lived in New Paltz NY for the past 5 years. New Paltz is quite the party town seeing as it has a collage in it, its been on high times top 10 party towns a few times. I'm looking for a town in california that knows how to have just as much fun as little old new paltz, however I dont want to be in the 'gettho' even if it means party centrel. Honeslty im looking to get away and make some money useing my trade (computer repair tech), learn more about it, and have the fun ive grown acustom to but in the butifual setting of california.

[bigdave01]

Are you looking for a college town? I would recommend Chico. It has a small town feel, but knows how to party. Cost of living is also cheap for California.

[kettlepot]

Chico and Eureka (Cal State Chico and Humboldt State) both have state colleges in them. Chico in particular has had a long standing reputation as a party school. However, I have no knowledge whether you could make a living there. My thinking is that the supply of skilled techie college students would be high, and the corresponding wages would be low. I would come with a substantial amount of savings to cover any initial rough patches.

[bigdave01]

Actually Humboldt State is in Arcata, and is definitely not a party school. The job markets in both areas would be pretty tough.

[krudmonk]

perhaps Davis

[TheDragonslayer]

I think Chico is your choice if you want both a job market and party time. Chico is much hotter than Arcata; Chico will be around 105 and Arcata may only reach 65 on the same day. The cost of living other than rent is significantly higher in Arcata, though finding a place to rent in Arcata can be difficult and the same goes with a job. Arcata has the ocean and local mountains and Chico is a good 4 hours from the coast but fairly close to the Sierras.

[pshinspections]

Regarding Eureka and Arcata, you can't beat the climate... but you will not likely find a living wage job there unless highly educated and licensed.

[Petrala]

Originally Posted by pshinspections

Regarding Eureka and Arcata, you can't beat the climate... but you will not likely find a living wage job there unless highly educated and licensed.

Actually I know a number of people who hate the climate. They felt it was too gloomy. It really depends on what you like.

[rubyskye]

Originally Posted by eggcream

I'm 18 years old and have lived in New Paltz NY for the past 5 years. New Paltz is quite the party town seeing as it has a collage in it, its been on high times top 10 party towns a few times. I'm looking for a town in california that knows how to have just as much fun as little old new paltz, however I dont want to be in the 'gettho' even if it means party centrel. Honeslty im looking to get away and make some money useing my trade (computer repair tech), learn more about it, and have the fun ive grown acustom to but in the butifual setting of california.

Santa Cruz may suit you.
Silicon Valley just over the hill ... Brutal commute at rush hour however.
San Francisco just up the road ... sort of .... roughly 2 hours (give or take).
Montery just down the road ... 1/2 - 3/4 hour when no traffic.
Santa Cruz knows how to have fun. UCSC is here and there is, generally speaking, a happy approach to life and living.
There are no "ghettos" ... rentals are expensive but you're young and if open to roommate situations can find a good place to live.
The climate is good - great depending on what you like. There is rain in the winter but there isn't a wear-you-down gloominess that you may experience in more northern parts of CA.
Many days in the winter that are beautiful and sunny and in the low 60's.
Summers are never too hot. Beautiful fog that cools things down but easy to find the sun just a few miles away from the shore.

[mr bolo]

I wouldnt recommend Chico, unless you like being out in the middle of nowhere