A Davis Lover From Europe Needs Help! (Santa Barbara, Paradise: coupons, apartments)

[Rocalie]

Originally Posted by DMenscha

I can't think of any high rise residential buildings except the college dorms and they're only 3 stories tall.

Not necessary a high-rise; buildings with 2 or 3 levels only would be fine for now; this way there would be no need of elevators.

I do not wish to live on a top level located on the 5th or 6th floor either as I always use the stairs to go up and down.

[Rocalie]

Originally Posted by Steve97415

Bike-friendliness is something that I prioritize highly as well. So, I have to wonder...why come all the way to the U.S.A. when Belgium and the Netherlands are right next door?

Good question!

Long time ago, I started with spending a couple of months in Amsterdam and Copenhagen to check if I would like living there. The air is so filed up with tobacco smoke all the time and everywhere that I could not breath.

I was always hospitalized, spending more time in hospital rooms than in my home because of my damages lungs and breathing problems; my Doctors suggested I move to California where a tolerance zero is being applied to protect second-hand smokers like me. As I stated earlier, the anti-smoking laws are not well enforced yet in Europe and I was not going to hang around waiting for them to catch up.

I did move to Los Angeles and for the first time in my life, I discovered that second-hand smokers too have rights and are protected. I was finally able to breath almost everywhere and enjoy a hospitalization-free life. I started leaving my home more, meeting new people and trying some outdoor activities.

As stated in my first post, I do not drive or own a car. My only vehicles are Bikes which I can bring into the Metro/Train for long distance traveling around town. Unfortunately, Los Angeles is far from being a Bike Friendly city! There are no Bike Route/Lane and most of the time no usable side-walk either. When I dare using the streets with my Bike in the slow lanes, very often I am attacked by automobile drivers whose favorite sport is road-rage!

Long Beach is trying to create a Bike Friendly structure but it does not cover the whole city. Besides, the cost of living is very high in L.A and the surrounding cities and it is not safe to bike on the streets over there.

I have a lot of friends I would like to remain close to in California and they suggest I move to Davis, California. I did my homework and discovered Davis does have most of the important criteria I am expecting from a city. So, if there are no 2 or 3-story residential buildings in Davis, any other Bike Friendly city around it would be fine.

However, if the other States with Bike Friendly cities (OR and CO) also apply a tolerance zero to enforce anti-smoking laws and protect second-hand smokers like California is doing, I could stretch my selections and move there too.

I am not looking for a job; hopefully it would make my search for the right city easier.

If anyone has an idea (or a solution) that cannot be displayed in post, please feel free to send me a Direct Message.

I thank you Steve97415 for taking the time to 'brainstorm' on this situation with me.

[Steve97415]

You might want to investigate New Urbanist communities in the U.S. (also known as TNDs), Rocalie. Here is a brief overview Welcome to the New Urbanism and here is a list of TNDs in the U.S. Links to TND and New Urban Neighborhoods. Finally, here is a short video promoting New Urbanism by a university professor in Davis. Davis, CA: Of Davis Interest: Video on New Urbanism

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by sms1967

Davis is ridiculously expensive... why, I've no idea.

Davis is expensive for the same reason most places in CA are expensive. It's a desireable place with residents and a state government that is anti-population growth. So that means limited new contruction for any kind of housing. That translates into higher rents and home prices.

[Steve97415]

Originally Posted by mysticaltyger

a state government that is anti-population growth

Boy, if that's their agenda, they're sure doing a lousy job at it!

[mysticaltyger]

Roc,

By American standards, Davis is a good place to live without a car. However, if you are expecting it like France in this regard, you'll probably be disappointed.

You should be able to find most of the things you want in an apartment, but maybe not all. The harder part may be finding something that will be affordable.

As far as secondhand smoke goes, America in general is good about anti-smoking laws. And California is even better. Less than 15% of the populaion in California smokes. In college towns like Davis, the percentage is probably even lower than the state average. There is no smoking allowed in bars or restaurants in California, and that has been the law for more than a decade.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by Clarks

The best place in CA for people with allergies is Crescent City. The fog keeps the allergens depressed. Davis, being in the Central Valley probably is high on the allergen count, dust and pollen from the surrounding Ag land.

Fort Bragg and Mendocino are two other possibilities, Mendocino is pretty arty.
Mendocino;

Mendocino is lovely, but I'm willing to bet it's quite expensive and definitely isolated. I'm not sure how much they have in the way of apartments there, although I'm sure there must be a few.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by Steve97415

Boy, if that's their agenda, they're sure doing a lousy job at it!

In some ways that's true. However, the population growth rate in CA has slowed down to the US average, so it really is much slower than it used to be. More people have been moving out of California than in for the last 6 or 7 years or so. The only reason population is increasing is the relatively high birth rate and because of immgration (legal and illegal) from other countries.

So in many respects the anti-growth crowd has succeeded. Limit new housing construction, which drives up the cost, which keeps people from coming here.

Californians and other Westerners think zero or declining population growth is such a great thing....They don't know what it's like to live in a place where population grows slowly or is in decline. Californians may just find out it's not as appealing as it looks at first glance.

[Rocalie]

Originally Posted by mysticaltyger

Roc,
As far as secondhand smoke goes, America in general is good about anti-smoking laws. And California is even better. Less than 15% of the populaion in California smokes. In college towns like Davis, the percentage is probably even lower than the state average. There is no smoking allowed in bars or restaurants in California, and that has been the law for more than a decade.

See, that is exactement why I made California my first choice for living. Many people are attracted by the beautiful Californian weather and beaches. For me it's the zero tolerance applied to tobacco smoke that is a life-saver; it's like Paradise for someone like me who cannot breath in Europe!

Plus, I am self-employed and will not be looking for a job. And although I am not rich, I would not mind paying up to $1000.00 to rent a one or two bedrooms apartment where I will both live and work. As for the amenities, I only need the basic available in all residential complexes and with a secure controlled access; I can live without pool, fire place, dish-watcher, elevator and other fancy stuff.

Thanks MysticalTyger,

Roc

[Steve97415]

Originally Posted by mysticaltyger

Californians and other Westerners think zero or declining population growth is such a great thing....They don't know what it's like to live in a place where population grows slowly or is in decline. Californians may just find out it's not as appealing as it looks at first glance.

I don't think anyone thinks that negative population growth is "a great thing." It's a bit like growing old: there are a lot of problems with it and we might wish we didn't have to go through it, but it sure beats the only other alternative.