What city in California should I consider moving to? (Los Angeles: rentals, home)

[specficer]

I will be getting a Master's degree either Dec. '09 or May '10 in Creative Writing and will be moving out of Michigan after that. I am sick of the weather and want to move somewhere warmer. I was thinking of moving to Portland or Seattle before (and it is still in my mind as the weather is mild and they have forests and mountains, which I love), but now I am thinking of moving to Florida or California.

I have never been to California, however it does look like it is a nice place to live for the most part. I just don't know what to expect as far as terrain goes. From what I have seen on TV, the southern part of the state looks very dry. I really love being around trees, hills, water, and hiking trails. I just have to get out of this cold weather.

I want to go to a place where I can get outdoor exercise year round. Hopefully I would be able to get into a safe neighborhood that I can walk to some local shops, etc.

For outdoor activities, I enjoy swimming, going to the beach, hiking, biking, and walking.

For city life stuff, I like to go to clubs, go to the movies, go to the bookstore, and go window shopping (especially at malls).

I am a straight white male. I am 25yo, and I am a liberal atheist. I don't speak Spanish.

As I am very single, it is important that I am in a neighborhood where I can easily find attractive single women to date of a similar background to me.

So which California city is best for me?

[18Montclair]

I say LA because that's where a creative writer will probably find work most easily.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by specficer

So which California city is best for me?

The one where you will find a job. Have you applied (realizing it is still very early for dec/10)? Where?
What line of work?
What do you expect your housing budget will be?

[Lovehound]

Originally Posted by 18Montclair

I say LA because that's where a creative writer will probably find work most easily.

I agree. The most important thing should be the OP's career. If he intends to work in the media industry then Los Angeles is the obvious spot.

The OP should give more detail about exactly what kind of career he intends.


Note also that Los Angeles has virtually year round outdoor activities, lots of cultural stuff, and plenty of green stuff even though it is after all a desert. Also plenty of shopping and plenty of night life.

Other West Coast cities have that too but there is only one media capital and that's Los Angeles.

[Charles]

I would think a creative writer would be able to find a job no farther away than an internet connection. Companies can save a lot on overhead that way. My company encourages working from home (as long as the work is unclassified.)


What is the demand for creative writers these days anyway?

[JakeInSoCal]

Most adults say San Diego but you should go for LA. Big city good for people who write, act... we all know that. And its got a big life you can never get bored of.

[Den Mathias]

Originally Posted by specficer

I will be getting a Master's degree either Dec. '09 or May '10 in Creative Writing and will be moving out of Michigan after that. I am sick of the weather and want to move somewhere warmer. I was thinking of moving to Portland or Seattle before (and it is still in my mind as the weather is mild and they have forests and mountains, which I love), but now I am thinking of moving to Florida or California.

I have never been to California, however it does look like it is a nice place to live for the most part. I just don't know what to expect as far as terrain goes. From what I have seen on TV, the southern part of the state looks very dry. I really love being around trees, hills, water, and hiking trails. I just have to get out of this cold weather.

I want to go to a place where I can get outdoor exercise year round. Hopefully I would be able to get into a safe neighborhood that I can walk to some local shops, etc.

For outdoor activities, I enjoy swimming, going to the beach, hiking, biking, and walking.

For city life stuff, I like to go to clubs, go to the movies, go to the bookstore, and go window shopping (especially at malls).

I am a straight white male. I am 25yo, and I am a liberal atheist. I don't speak Spanish.

As I am very single, it is important that I am in a neighborhood where I can easily find attractive single women to date of a similar background to me.

So which California city is best for me?

Since you are from Michigan you have no where to go but UP in weather!
So, I would say any part of California would be great for you in that regard.
With your degree and and a liberal background I would say any town in the Bay Area (San Francisco Bay) or the Los Angeles area would be a good fit.

[BPurk]

All of California is dry except by the ocean. Everything in California that is a living plant was probably planted there as most living things dont just sprout up in California. We have lots of fires throughout California so there is no one area that has everything you are looking for. I live in Northern California. Its woodsy and it snows. It barely rains but does on occasion. It doesnt look like the east coast though because everything is dead here. Its called the "high desert" for a reason. Most of the inland parts of California are desert-like. I grew up on the beaches of the central coast of California. Its pretty there and the weather never hits 100 but the housing there is outrageous, as is most of California. Rentals for one bedrooms go for upwards of $700 there. My husband is from Port Huron and he says there is no comparison between Ca and Mi. From what you describe, you should check out Portland or Seattle area. Ive lived in both as well and they have more of the east coast feel that you seem to be looking for and the jobs are plentiful there as well. Los Angeles is overcrowded and the air is smoggy. Good luck.

[Twinkle Toes]

Originally Posted by BPurk

All of California is dry except by the ocean. Everything in California that is a living plant was probably planted there as most living things dont just sprout up in California. We have lots of fires throughout California so there is no one area that has everything you are looking for. I live in Northern California. Its woodsy and it snows. It barely rains but does on occasion. It doesnt look like the east coast though because everything is dead here. Its called the "high desert" for a reason. Most of the inland parts of California are desert-like. I grew up on the beaches of the central coast of California. Its pretty there and the weather never hits 100 but the housing there is outrageous, as is most of California. Rentals for one bedrooms go for upwards of $700 there. My husband is from Port Huron and he says there is no comparison between Ca and Mi. From what you describe, you should check out Portland or Seattle area. Ive lived in both as well and they have more of the east coast feel that you seem to be looking for and the jobs are plentiful there as well. Los Angeles is overcrowded and the air is smoggy. Good luck.

Are you sure you're living in California? The California on planet Earth?

[the city]

Los Angeles metro is always the best place for people to start a career or business.