where in Southern California is good for us? (San Diego, Oxnard: lease, crime)

[fromtheuk]

Hello everyone

I have been searching these boards for a while trying to get a better idea of where me and my husband should move, but i thought I would write a post as I haven't been able to figure it out.we were thinking of the San Diego area but are open to more.

Me and my husband do not have a family yet, but in the next couple of years we will (hopefully) so we need to keep in mind the family friendly area and perhaps the schools need to be an issue in case we decide to stay in the house for many years to come. We are liberal and are a mixed family (race and religion, so no KKK area - we're currently in Florida!). We need to be near a good marine industry as that's our area of work and we like the less conservative side of life. Having said that we have friends from all areas of life.

I worry about crime, as I grew up in a relatively crime free area (so I guess LA is out) and we can afford a house of about $300,000 - $450,000 (the price is a big range because we really don't have a clue yet) for a 3 bed 2 bath. We want a good sized garden, but we understand if we can get one. I would be willing to drive about 45 min to work so we don't have to live by the coast.

so in a nutshell

- family friendly
- liberal/easy going
- 3 bed 2 bath
- about 45 min from marine industry
- good size garden

Thank you in advance!

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Have you considered Ventura, CA? Not sure what end of the marine industry you are looking at though. If you are talking ships then Port Hueneme is not too far away. Ventura does have its own harbor but mostly for recreational boating. The area has a limited commercial fishing designation as well. Seems that the government regulates the business and many have left. Lots of boats and the liberal attitiude is viable, although the area also has plenty of conservative people as well. You could find a home in your range. If you choose an older home chances are the yard will be large and you could put in a garden if it lacks one. Race and religion should not be a factor as well. The area is accepting of most. I am white and my wife is Mexican. Black, white, brown, yellow, red, or what ever, I don't think you will turn a head if you move here. Too many other couples have paved the way for you. Ventura is also a very family oriented city. I think you will like it. You could also try Oxnard and Port Hueneme for the same reasons.

[fromtheuk]

Thanks, We work in the recreational side of boating. I will look into these areas as I don't know much about them.

[cabolissa]

San Diego or Ventura Counties are my bet. Orange County is beautiful, but be prepared for the Christian Right everywhere.

[cobmw]

They will smack you with their bibles.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by cabolissa

Orange County is beautiful, but be prepared for the Christian Right everywhere.

Bummer.

I would have hoped there were less brainwashed people in progressive, educated Southern California.

[cobmw]

Amazing that in a time where our cultural values are sinking into the abyss we have those who openly attack the only source of values remaining. And it's done without shame or remorse - even with pride.

[OC Investor2]

In So Cal there are houses that are :

Affordable
Family Friendly
Near the water

You may pick any 2

You may want to come out & rent for a year before you settle on any particular pllace. A. jobs are tight right now, so you Hubby may have an uphill climb for employment its easier to break a lease then sell a house if you need to relocate regionally for a job B. Housing priced are going to continue to decline, so you might as well ride it out in a rental.

Then you'll have a better idea of where you want to live based on first hand experience v. Internet forum posts

[cabolissa]

Originally Posted by cobmw

Amazing that in a time where our cultural values are sinking into the abyss we have those who openly attack the only source of values remaining. And it's done without shame or remorse - even with pride.

Oh brother... Saying to be prepared is not an attack, it's informative to a person who's relocating to a particular area. Not everyone knows about the "Orange curtain". The only people I saw attacking in my community were these people with their God-given "values" picketing with their CHILDREN against equal rights for all Californians.

I'm religious, but I also keep it to myself. God gave us free will. So should our government. We shouldn't legislate morality. To each his own.

[purplex15]

Originally Posted by fromtheuk

Hello everyone

I have been searching these boards for a while trying to get a better idea of where me and my husband should move, but i thought I would write a post as I haven't been able to figure it out.we were thinking of the San Diego area but are open to more.

Me and my husband do not have a family yet, but in the next couple of years we will (hopefully) so we need to keep in mind the family friendly area and perhaps the schools need to be an issue in case we decide to stay in the house for many years to come. We are liberal and are a mixed family (race and religion, so no KKK area - we're currently in Florida!). We need to be near a good marine industry as that's our area of work and we like the less conservative side of life. Having said that we have friends from all areas of life.

I worry about crime, as I grew up in a relatively crime free area (so I guess LA is out) and we can afford a house of about $300,000 - $450,000 (the price is a big range because we really don't have a clue yet) for a 3 bed 2 bath. We want a good sized garden, but we understand if we can get one. I would be willing to drive about 45 min to work so we don't have to live by the coast.

so in a nutshell

- family friendly
- liberal/easy going
- 3 bed 2 bath
- about 45 min from marine industry
- good size garden

Thank you in advance!

you should definetly look into Ventura County. There is a lake here (Lake Casitas) that has a very popular boating facility. The lake is located in Oak View. There are many towns withing 30 mintues of the lake, and finding a home in your price range may be doable in some areas of ventura, oxnard, and port hueneme.

most of ventura ia pretty liberal/artsy. Ojai is a very odd little town, but is probably going to be more expensive than what youre looking for. ventura has many older neighborhoods that have bigger than normal yards.