If you could live anywhere in CA, where would it be? (San Diego: apartment, to rent)

[stonepra]

Make a very long story a short one..

I'm originally from the mid west and lived in different places in the states, I recently moved from living in HI for 3 years and it was a great time in my life.. but now I'm ready for something different, a bit faster yet still not fast lane, know what I mean?

I am currently in limbo on the mainland, simply trying to figure out where I want to live for awhile in CA. Why? well I like the west coast and Arizona is nice but just not my thing, I need to be by the coast/ocean. Everyone is running from CA but I'm ready to give it a shot.

I work from home, I can live anywhere I want.. at least in the states for now. Monthly rent isn't a huge concern, generally $1500-$2000 a month is what I like to budget.

The reason for this post to try to get some good ideas of a spot to start off. The type of life I'm looking for? not too stressful, lower traffic, yet still some things to do. I'm more interested in non-mainstream arts/music, a nice cultural center would be nice to enjoy.

I really want nothing to do with the LA or surrounding areas, unless they are on the edge. I'm really up to any part of CA, I'd prefer a nicer climate of San Diego(I would not want to live IN the city, but surrounding area), but I still think the climate in areas like Santa Barbara & up alittle would be nice.

I do have a bad habit, and that I like nice things. While I like a slower pace of life, I like to be surrounded around expensive things..and generally want to be surrounded by people who want be VERY successful in life financially but yet still grounded/down to earth. I guess that would be my paradise on paper.. maybe it yours too?

so think for a moment that you have no clutter, un-needed processions, or mortgage. Where would would you pick, and maybe a short reason why

Many Thanks

[jc76]

I don't care to be around "successful" or "rich" people. I like to be around real people. People who work and know the value of a dollar. So with that said I would never want to live in San Diego or many parts of SoCal. Though it is my dream to live out there, somewhere, but I would like to stay close to the earthlings. I am currently looking into the Redlands area. Maybe even a little west like Ontario or Fontana. Some place that puts me within a couple hour drive to the ocean but the only way a regular working guy like me can swing this is to go inland. I'll still beat the winter thing that I have to endure here in Indiana, but I won't have the high rent that L.A. has.
If in fantasy "won the lottery" mode, I would live in the Venice Beach area, retire and spend my days surfing, riding my bike, and hangin out.

[nmnita]

If I could live anywhere in California and wanted to return, probably I would look toward Sacramento or maybe a little east of there. It has good weather (relatively) nice people and a mixture without a lot of phoney snobs or a lot of poverty...

If I were young and looking for excitement, maybe the bay area..San Diego would be on my list as well.

Nita

[Calix]

$1500-2000/mo? Well I would tell you that any place that is surrounded by "expensive things" unless it is removed from the coast is unlikely to fit your budget. Here in Newport Coast, you wouldn't even get a 1bd apartment, and there aren't many of those around, but it sounds like OC isn't your cup of tea anyway. La Jolla is nice, but again mostly out of your budget. Santa Barbara is great, in the right parts of course. Lived there for a while, Montecito would be a good fit, but again, at your budget, you'd probably have to find a room to rent. That could be done however since there is a college (Westmont) right up Cold Springs rd with plenty of "expensive things" and "rich people" all around.

Understand the desire to be in a nice community, that's why we chose coastal OC, however, you will have to pay a price. Generally, it is going to cost you a bit more than you've budgeted.

We chose Newport Coast because we like the hills, the cool ocean breezes, and the views; the community is new but full of great families and feels less snobbish than Santa Barbara did. It feels like life is just a bit quieter here and not nearly the amount of tourist flow through traffic that you have on PCH, the immediate coast. Yes, this is a great place for me, but others might not like what I like. There is great variety in this state and something for everyone, explore what you desire.

My opinion, if you desire grounded communities, stay away from far left leaning enclaves, as they tend to be the MOST exclusionary, and snobbish. I could write a tome about the clever tactics used by leftists with lucre who cloak their bigotry and snobbery in all sorts of seemingly noble ways, with the "green movement" being the most recent. (hint: the goal is simply economic apartheid through land exclusion to keep out "undesirables" or ensuring that you have the "right kind of diversity" (read, San Francisco, white, Asian, and gay) all in the precious name of "saving the Earth".

So if you want real people, just watch out for over the top political activism.

Good luck to you.

[DowntownVentura]

Weather is very important to me. If I answer where I would live, it would be anywhere along the coast south of Point Conception and north of San Diego. Within a mile of the coast, great. Within 10 miles, nice. Much farther than that you start to get into some weather extremes, smog, etc.

In that range, there is quite a selection of lifestyles.

[coyoteskye]

You "like to be surrounded around expensive things..and generally want to be surrounded by people who want be VERY successful in life financially.... "
Eeee-gads and gag ... i was going to suggest Santa Cruz area 'till i read that line.
That's more than a bad habit.
But whatever floats your boat.
p.s. You cannot truly be on the edge (that you think you're a part and/or turned on by) with that kind of protection.
It's an illusionary edge of the spoiled and entitled! and deluded.
You must be referring to a different kind of "edge" ... a self induced, self indulgent, self cherishing state of mind (not Being) involving (but not limited to) skillfully veiled (even to themselves) neurosis and narcissism.

"They had the best selection,
They were poisoned with protection ... "

NeilYoungThrasher

[Tenzo]

Del Mar

[RoadHazard]

Naturally, I'll recommend the Monterey / Carmel / Pacific Grove / Pebble Beach area because that's where I live.

Like you, I work from home and don't need to be commuting distance to anyplace in particular. My wife and I chose Pacific Grove just because we liked it. Life magazine calls it the "most romantic town west of the Mississippi" and Conde Nast Traveler lists next-door Monterey among "top 10 cute cities." Carmel has a vibrant art scene and Pebble Beach is, well, Pebble Beach.

Your budget might make it tough, though. The Monterey Peninsula is expensive, especially compared to the Midwest, and $2K/month won't impress anyone. That's about the minimum you can expect to pay.

The weather here is a bit different from southern California (Del Mar, La Jolla, OC, etc.). It can be cooler and foggier if you're right on the coast. That's not a complaint; just don't expect palm trees and bikinis.

[Clarks]

My opinion, if you desire grounded communities, stay away from far left leaning enclaves, as they tend to be the MOST exclusionary, and snobbish. I could write a tome about the clever tactics used by leftists with lucre who cloak their bigotry and snobbery in all sorts of seemingly noble ways, with the "green movement" being the most recent. (hint: the goal is simply economic apartheid through land exclusion to keep out "undesirables" or ensuring that you have the "right kind of diversity" (read, San Francisco, white, Asian, and gay) all in the precious name of "saving the Earth".

When you move out here, be careful of dementia, apparently it is not uncommon.

[coyoteskye]

Originally Posted by Calix

My opinion, if you desire grounded communities, stay away from far left leaning enclaves, as they tend to be the MOST exclusionary, and snobbish. I could write a tome about the clever tactics used by leftists with lucre who cloak their bigotry and snobbery in all sorts of seemingly noble ways, with the "green movement" being the most recent. (hint: the goal is simply economic apartheid through land exclusion to keep out "undesirables" or ensuring that you have the "right kind of diversity" (read, San Francisco, white, Asian, and gay) all in the precious name of "saving the Earth".

Oh maaaaaaan.
What a cliche.
Yeah, that's why i care about the environment ... "to create an economic apartheid" ... oy.
And sure, that's what the green movement is all about.
Good lord.
Who are the people, around the globe, that are truly being hurt (and will continue to suffer most due to the arrogance, stupidity and greed of the power mongers) by these old, outlived, useless and destructive paradigms that you cherish and want to perpetuate?
Not you.
The people that you described do exist but don't lump all those concerned about the environment into that odious category.