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Originally Posted by TLB76
Hello again! How is the weather? Does it get warm enough in the summer to swim in the ocean? I read it rains from winter to spring but are there sunny breaks? I lived in WA state for 3 years, it rained and remained gloomy sometimes for 3 months straight! I moved because I didn't want to feel depressed all the time...it was horrible  Are the people pretty friendly and welcoming? Before I moved down to South Carolina I heard all about the southern hospitality and I've been here for almost 3 years and have hardly any friends my age. I'm 32 and I'm hanging out with people my parents age and some are also transplants to the area. Are people in their 30's going out hiking and enjoying nature or are they still partying? I really need to find a place where the culture suits me and I'm a bit closer to my family rather then being on the opposite coast. I know you mentioned there are lots of health food stores but what about clothing stores? How far is the drive to find Kohls, TJ Maxx, Ross or a mall? Where are all the trendy restaurants located? I will most likely work at a restaurant serving or bartending for a year while I establish residency so I can attend school and qualify for instate tuition. So far it seems like the area you are mentioning fits me the best!
Some people on here are talking really negatively about people moving to CA because of the condition it's in. Is it really that horrible? I also made my decision on the state because dental hygiene is one of the fastest growing fields in the CA and the pay is great as well! My original plan was to finish school here in Greenville, SC but I don't think I can tolerate feeling so lonely for 3 more years...Thanks again for all your help! ~Tania |
The rainy season is basically from November through April although i've seen Aprils where there is hardly a drop. The heavy rains are in the winter months but there are long stretches of days between the rain that are sunny (and sunny and cloudy) and relatively warm. I've walked on the beach in Feb. in a t-shirt.
And some winters are rainier than others.
If you don't like the rain then much of California will be a drag for you in the winter.
Summer (or i should say May - October) are beautiful and warm although this is the central coast and there is fog. The closer you are to the ocean the more fog you will experience but it comes and goes.
At the moment, i am living in Soquel and i'm about 6 miles from the coast.
It's 10:45 a.m. and i'm waiting for the fog to burn off. Sometimes in the morning there is no fog. Sometimes the fog rolls in during the early evening. Sometimes it doesn't roll in this far at all.
It's quite variable and in this area of the central coast there are many micro-environments which makes it a very interesting and varied place to be.
This isn't Southern CA. But there are plenty of days in the summer and early fall where you can swim in the ocean. I could have gone in the other day and it's not even June.
But it's not the Carribean ... it doesn't feel like bath water.
Surfers here wear wet suits and they surf throughout the entire year.
There are plenty of young people your age and of all ages hiking, biking, mountain biking (good mountain biking here), surfing, etc., etc. and there are plenty of young people partying as well. It's a very diverse community.
It's very friendly to women here in the sense that men aren't, in general, wolves ... if you know what i mean. In other words, the men here, young and old tend to be relatively easy going and gentle. And there are a lot of good looking men everywhere although i suppose that's a subjective statement. I like the men here. Geez, i'm assuming you're a female. If not, oooops.
It's very easy to access clothing stores. There is the Capitola Mall (real close no matter where in the county you are ... 5 minute drive from Aptos) with a variety of department stores (and more in Watsonville) and there are boutiques all over the county with all types of clothing. And there are some really good used clothing stores in every town in the county.
If you want real high-end shopping you can take a trip up to San Francisco (i love S.F.) and then Carmel, in Monterey county, is about an hour to the south and it's a very ritzy area with fancy shops of all kinds.
There are a lot of bars and restaraunts around and particularly in Santa Cruz proper and in Capitola. Capitola is a quaint little seaside town with many tourists visiting in the non-winter months. It's the oldest seaside resort in the state of CA i believe.
Santa Cruz proper has many eating and drinking establishments and it brings lots of folks in from all around. The down-town is a fun place to walk and to shop and there is the boardwalk with roller coaster, etc., etc. It's right on the bay. It's a hoot. Very charming and funky.
I would not listen to the nay sayers. The entire country is going through a difficult time at the moment and yeah, economically CA is being hit hard.
But, as i see it, your path shouldn't be determined by anyone but you.
You gotta do the leg work and be practical but ultimately, it's your own inner compass (your heart, your feelings, your love, what you're drawn to, etc.) that determines your path.
Also, you have 3 more years of schooling. Who knows what will happen during those years? It's impossible to say. Every place in the country has its own particular challenges and drawbacks. The only one in S.C. county, as it relates to my life, is the high rent but i choose to deal with it because i love it here.
The people are varied (it's a diverse and liberal and tolerant community) and the people are friendly. It is not an aggressive and hostile place. If you put out good vibes you'll find them returned. And If you don't put out good and friendly vibes, you won't get attitude.
I find it very easy to be myself here!
Again, i'd dissuade you from Fresno, Redding, and Sacramento. Those are not, in my, opinion happy places.
Generally speaking, there is a feeling here that people are truly grateful to be living in S.C. county. And they're willing to pay for it.
If you like it here and if you can afford the rent, give it a go.
There is no perfect place (i'm finally learning that and i'm in my 40's) but i quess the best we can do is try to find the place that best supports who we are in terms of people and the natural environment.
Hope that helps.
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Hey Susan,
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