Thinking of moving to California, but... (Sacramento, Huntington Beach: apartments, to rent, month to)

[Miranda77]

I'm currently living in Japan and will be heading back to the states and the Midwest in the late Summer. I've been considering heading out to California but looking around I see lots of complaints and negative things. I could use some information about living out there. My situation is very flexible--I'm 28 now, and single without children. I'd like to find a small (studio, one room, etc.) apt with a functional kitchen in a safe area that is similar to, say, Cincinnati. I say that last part because I lived in the downtown Cincy area for a while and, while it was not *safe* (I worked with a few people who'd been robbed at gunpoint, one across the street from where we worked) it had a nice community atmosphere, everything was within walking distance, and unlike the suburbs of the Midwest there was not a sense of being cut off on an island in a nicely-manicured prison.

So is there anyplace in California which would offer a town/community area (by which I mean, you can actually walk outside and see other people, do grocery shopping on foot, etc) and studio apartments, but which would also be relatively safe? I see that California is insanely expensive but I have no interest in buying a house or even staying for more than probably a couple years. I feel a need for a sharp change from the Midwestern horror of lack of diversity, terrible food, and insular-ness, but perhaps California is not the place to find this.

Thoughts?

(Also I would probably be looking for a job *after* I move, which I know is stupid, but in my experience there is usually work to be had serving in most places--is this also the case in areas in CA? Am I just deluding myself? Inquiring minds want to know!)

[Angel Bear]

Hey, don't let others' negativity affect you You are the creator of your Universe

I'd check out Orange County--of course, I'm biased 'cause I'm planning to move there soon (12-16 months).

Any town with the word 'Beach' in it is nice to me LOL, but seriously check out Laguna Beach

Wow, you're brave to move without a job! Kudos for you for being so brave and taking the leap of faith...hats off to you But, make sure you have a backup plan for $$$.

I wish I had moved earlier in life...you're smart to do it now when you're 'younger' and have no kids

[Miranda77]

I don't know if "brave" is the word I would use. "Dumb" might be more accurate. I certainly won't do it if the financial situation looks too bleak--right now most prices are fairly steep and although I'm used to living from month to month, I'm not prepared to strand myself someplace.

[Angel Bear]

I hear ya

I like to be prepared myself too--which I am

Best of luck,
Lisa

[Jenali]

If I were you ,I would start by looking for a job first .Cost of living here is very high ,and you might regret the moving later if u couldn't find a job .The sOC might be way too boring for a single 28yrs old ,it is a very family-oriented community, nothing much for singles(w/o kids) and I cannot think of any area here that fits into ur description except the village in Laguna Beach or the beach area in HB,but it can be very expensive to rent there (around1600- $2000/m) for a small apartment (500-1000 sq ft).If you manage to find a job ,I would say that Huntington Beach would be your best choice .

About the negative things you read here ,many are true ..let me put it in a simple way :If you can afford it here ,then you will like it .It's a beautiful area with many things to offer (to me it's one of the best places in the USA )especially in LB,NB,HB,or Irvine. Otherwise it doesn't worth the stress ,and you will be fighting to make ends meet ;your life will be :Work,sleep,pay the bills/rent .

[Miranda77]

That's good advice, and kind of what I was starting to think anyway. The problem is that looking for a job in the States from the other side of the world presents...interesting and unique problems. But from what I've read elsewhere I believe what you say is probably true.

Hmm. I'd still like to leave the midwest behind for a while, though, and would like to *wind up* in California or at least in that area. Perhaps I should look at the other states in the area.

[PDXmom]

Have you looked at Portland, Oregon? It's much less expensive that LA of SF but more expensive than the midwest. There are alot of hip, safe neighborhoods. And young, childless singles seem to thrive here. It does rain 8-9 months of the year. So if you don't like gray skies this is not the place for you. But the rain is mostly a mist so it doesn't stop people from getting out.

Good luck finding a place that feels like home!

[lucero32]

If you're looking for a nice area of L.A. with a safe, yet urban feel to it, I'd move to Pasadena. Old Town Pasadena is very pedestrian friendly and filled with many great restaurants and shops. Depending on where you live, it can certainly be walkable. It has access to publice transit, the Gold Line, if that's important for you. Pasadena is a diverse city with a vibrant core that has a lot going for it, especially for a young single person. Defineitly worth looking at.

Good luck

[Kingsnkali]

You should probably narrow down what you want out of California. It's a big and diverse state. What you seek is likely here. How do your current job skills mesh with certain areas? What type of weather do you like etc.?

A good transition from the Midwest would probably be the Sacramento market. It's kind of a California-lite type place. A mix of both Midwest slowness and California rush. Rents are fairly reasonable. Good job market.

You can also jump head first into the Bay Area/LA/Orange County and deal with excitement and drama mixed with high-anxiety.

[silks]

I visited Pasadena last year for an evening, and even though I was there for literally dinner and some ice cream it seemed like a hip little place. Colorado Blvd. was nice and clean, and there seemed to be plenty going on.