Least snobby "rich" area in California (Los Angeles, Santa Barbara: living, prices)

[CLambert]

Originally Posted by mzmercury

I'm looking to find a forever community. Somewhere to finally call home. For housing prices in the 2-4 million range, it gives plentiful options to choose from, HOWEVER, I worked very hard for my money, come from a working class family and am very grounded. I don't know that I would necessarily fit in with some of the areas that are well known for "rich" folk.

Can anyone recommend an area that is more laid back and less botox, two cheek kissing, have to drive/wear/eat what my neighbors are to keep up appearances-type places? No offense meant to people that live their lives that way...it's just not me and not something I aspire to. I don't have to be right on the water, but like moderate weather if that helps.

Thanks for any help!

Theresa

Hi there! I just read your post and my husband and I are in the exact same "boat" Have you had any promising leads??? We just got back from exploring the Palm Springs area...the jury is still out, although, it is lovely!

[18Montclair]

The East Bay Hills. 200,000 rich people and very little attitude.

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Why not try Ojai up in Ventura County. Plenty of entertainment industry people call it home, its down to earth, away from it all, but close to lots of stuff. No one seems to care about the size of your bank account or how many cars you have.

If you really are rich, why would it care where you live.

[115db]

I like the smaller towns, people understand each other, we're all on the same page, no one is better than the other. Maybe some rural area could fit your criteria as well.

[esmith143]

New rich tend to be snobbiest. Especially when they are not really new rich, but they are trying to act like they are. You need to find the place with lots of old money. Problem being that old money is rare in California.

Look into attractive retirement locations far from employment centers. (Ojai and Monterey: good. Santa Cruz: bad) Look for places with intrinsic value rather than places with lots of "prestige". (Avalon: good. Newport Beach: bad) Look for places with big lots of land and heavy foliage. People with big buffers around their houses are less interested in competing with their neighbors. (Rancho Santa Fe: good. La Jolla: bad).

[Woof]

Oh, I know. One of those communities north of San Francisco along the Russian River, from Sebastopol west. Seemed nice went I went through there, definitely not snobby. I had the impression the area was neither rich nor poor, charming in some areas, and had a good climate. It's close to the ocean, to San Francisco, and to wine country. In fact there are some vineyards there.

[youngmoney]

Less snobby places...

(my guesses) ..

Very Unsnobby

Atascadero
Bodega Bay
Temecula
Julian
Truckee
Camarillo
Seal Beach

Less Snobby

Mission Viejo- Lake Forest
Poway-Rancho Bernardo
Rancho Cucomonga
Diamond Bar
San Jose Area-Campbell-Santa Clara

[Wherewillitland]

Well, if u went to the less desirable places or overall lower cost of living places, u will get more bang for your buck. Northern Cali seems to have a lower cost of living) Try Eureka or other communities in humbolt or Mendocino county, the closer to marin probably the more snobbier and higher col.
--
If you prefer something that isnt coastal for Cali ( and there's no way you would want to live in the vallies of central cali) There are desert mountain areas and more green mountain areas.

If not coastal THEN MAMMOTH LAKES, CALIFORNIA which is near desert mountains and near green mountains. You would also be near a lot of hot springs and fronteir land, yosemite national park, ghost towns, and im sure there is an airport to the big cities of cali.
Mammoth Lakes, California - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mono County, California - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Angel Bear]

If you look for "snobby", then, that is what you'll experience in life.

[the city]

I would suggest Davis or Santa Cruz. I would not suggest San Luis Obispo or Santa Barbara because the clash between poor and wealthy can be pretty nasty sometimes.