If you was to relocate from socal then what state would it be with similiar climate (San Diego: apartment, camp)

[fashionablecowboy]

There is only one season here. It's called summer. If you can't handle the fact that trees don't lose their leaves, try Colorado or North Carolina. However, I can say with much confidence that neither places will be as gorgeous as Southern California.. Neither places will have the economic possibilities that exist in Southern California.. and neither places will have such a diverse geography with exciting and beautiful places mixed in.

[Jonah1979]

Florida has the second best weather in the US. I was raised there and now live in California. I actually like the winters better in florida, especially Dec - May...its about an average temp of 70s and doesn't get as cold at night as cali.

I live in the L.A. area and last summer we had 2 weeks straight of 110 degree weather and it was worse than any summer i can remember in Florida.

[Charles]

Quote:
Originally Posted by formerlyhappenstance
However, the climate in socal is ideal for my seasonal depression issues (SAD). Anyway, I realize that there are few places, if any, that can match 70 degree temps and sunny year round, but, I was wondering is there any states at all with low cost housing and socal like climate (70s year round sunny).

SAD is caused by lack of sunshine, not sub-70 degree weather. We don't have SAD here in Colorado. We do have lower cost of living, twelve months of outdoor activities, a lot less traffic, dry weather, more sunny days than San Diego, more high paying jobs per capita, and less social problems. If you can handle sunny days in February in the 40s and 50s (or about 20 degrees cooler than SoCal on average), then you'll do fine. I can go cycling or play tennis three out of four weeks in January and February. Sure it snows a couple times a year but it snows here about as often as it rains in SoCal and the next day it is sunny and cheerful.

Here are two pictures taken in mid May within a few miles of each other about halfway between Castle Rock and Colorado Springs on the Palmer Divide (elevation 7300 feet). The snow literally melts in a day or two, and it is fun and picturesque while it sticks around.

Below, off Highway 83 on the Palmer Divide


Below, Black Forest Park north of Colorado Springs



Quote:
Originally Posted by nchopefull
I really don't understand how people afford to live here....For example, the avg. est. houshold income is around 70,000 dollars for [Orange County]. The avg. value of a home is about 600,000....I just want to let people know there's a whole world out there full of beautiful scenery, nice weather, and affordable living (and it's not here in CA!)...


Here's what $500K-$700K gets you in Colorado: 5000 - 7000 sqft, golf course community, 3 & 4 car garages, 2.5 acres, 40 minutes to Denver, 25 minutes to Colorado Springs. My daughter (in the foreground) loves it here - four seasons. Google "Kings Deer" and see for yourself.

Below, facing east from Roller Coaster Road, on the Palmer Divide, Colorado

[graffixjones]

Wow... those are some beautiful photos! Thanks for sharing.

Here's one I took last year while visiting my wife's great-aunt in Hemet before heading over the hill to visit Disneyland for a week.



This is facing westward, and the LA basin is right over the hills in the background. This was started by an afternoon thunderstorm that sparked several other small fires, but this one was the biggest.

[Charles]

Here's my street (looking east at the end of Lang Ranch Parkway) in Thousand Oaks autumn 2005.

[cynwldkat]

Yep...that's CA alright!! Along with all those cloud free days comes those terrible wild fires. I guess no place is perfect!! I, personally have been through 3 wildfires close up and personal like in the picture above. Not fun!!!

[tchick]

Originally Posted by fashionablecowboy

There is only one season here. It's called summer. If you can't handle the fact that trees don't lose their leaves, try Colorado or North Carolina. However, I can say with much confidence that neither places will be as gorgeous as Southern California.. Neither places will have the economic possibilities that exist in Southern California.. and neither places will have such a diverse geography with exciting and beautiful places mixed in.

NC is full of right-wing fundamentalist Christians who Love Bush. Californians would not like it here....

Did it work? LOL

[Sorcerer68]

Originally Posted by tchick

NC is full of right-wing fundamentalist Christians who Love Bush. Californians would not like it here....

Did it work? LOL

That will work on SOME of us. The ones who aren't true Angelenos will flood you in droves.

[golfstar333]

I've traveled most the US and I don't do snow and I hate when it rains all the time - so my advice would be check out Arizona and New Mexico. Texas gets pretty humid (at least South-Eastern Texas) but Arizona and New Mexico should be pretty safe bets!

[JakeDog]

Hawaii is arguably an even better climate- but it is very remote and very costly. Your second best bet would be New Mexico or Arizona- not bad if you don't care how far you are from the coast (if you are considering Arizona, though, you might try palm desert- very similar and arguably cheaper and less congested).