safe warm beach town (expensive, crowded)

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by coyoteskye

I don't know SoCal well but even in Santa Cruz county, which is extremely expensive, it's quite possible (albeit a challenge) to find ones own place for $1000.00 a month and sometimes for less.
I was recently in a studio on a few acres with gardens and a hot-tub that i could use and it was under $800.00 ... and all utilities were included.
Granted, the landlords easily could have charged more but there are opportunities.

but remember she needs to be near all shopping and will not have a car plus it sounds like she would like to be right on the beach. She is going to have a heck of a time getting all she wants and still wants a safe, nice neighborhood.

Nita

[momojojo]

I love Santa Cruz. You might want to check out San Luis Obispo area, Pismo, etc. too. Its a crazy world out there so you're going to have to be careful anywhere you go.

[coyoteskye]

Originally Posted by nmnita

but remember she needs to be near all shopping and will not have a car plus it sounds like she would like to be right on the beach. She is going to have a heck of a time getting all she wants and still wants a safe, nice neighborhood.

Nita

No so Nita ... there are many places in the county where she can easily bus and/or bike to all of the places she needs and wants to go.
If she can find an affordable place to live all of her criteria can be met.
And there are also many opportunities for housemate situations ... it's a college town ... U.C.S.C. and Cabrillo Community College in Aptos.
If she's situated in Santa Cruz, Capitola, much of Aptos and much of Soquel she'll be fine.
She didn't say that she needed to be right on the beach.

[Ceece]

My concern would be that if there was such a place everyone would already be there and then what would you do for a job? Without a car you would have to find something close enought to walk/bike/bus. I'm assuming HS graduate with no college degree so....minimum wage work? That might not even be enough to pay rent.

[jnj123]

well i have money saved up and i don't need to be right on this beach, it doesn't have to be a perfect neighborhood. I'm used to going down to Baltimore my whole life and there are some nice parts of Baltimore like the inner harbor. I don't need to live in the safest place in the world i just don't want to live in the slums where there are 2 or three murders a day like west baltimore. I like the whole idea of easy going santa cruz no pressure to be rich and beautiful. i want a more laid back life style. I'm not looking for a life like the stars of laguna beach. thats just not me. being close to the beach would be nice just so i could go there and relax some days. I also don't want to live somewhere where there is a lot of drugs. I just want somewhere that is in the city, some night life where i could go see a band sometime a few cool shops that i could just walk around in, i never mentioned buying anything. and easy access for bikers or a good metro/bus system. I'm only looking to stay for a few months just to have this experience under my belt. I'm planning to work at a day care or something of that sort since i already work at one now hopefully i could find another job of the sort easier. i don't have to live right next to all of these things there just has to be easy access to all or most of these things

[coyoteskye]

Originally Posted by jnj123

well i have money saved up and i don't need to be right on this beach, it doesn't have to be a perfect neighborhood. I'm used to going down to Baltimore my whole life and there are some nice parts of Baltimore like the inner harbor. I don't need to live in the safest place in the world i just don't want to live in the slums where there are 2 or three murders a day like west baltimore. I like the whole idea of easy going santa cruz no pressure to be rich and beautiful. i want a more laid back life style. I'm not looking for a life like the stars of laguna beach. thats just not me. being close to the beach would be nice just so i could go there and relax some days. I also don't want to live somewhere where there is a lot of drugs. I just want somewhere that is in the city, some night life where i could go see a band sometime a few cool shops that i could just walk around in, i never mentioned buying anything. and easy access for bikers or a good metro/bus system. I'm only looking to stay for a few months just to have this experience under my belt. I'm planning to work at a day care or something of that sort since i already work at one now hopefully i could find another job of the sort easier. i don't have to live right next to all of these things there just has to be easy access to all or most of these things

Santa Cruz may just suit you.
There is a relaxed attitude toward marijuana but that goes for many places in the state.

[MtnSurfer]

Yeah, I'd say Santa Cruz or maybe Encinitas, SD or Hermosa/Manhattan/Redondo Beach in LA County. Forget Venice. There is more crime, etc.. there.

You aren't going to get bohemian beach towns and no drug usage. They will be there. But that doesn't mean you will be forced to partake.

Derek

[SOON2BNSURPRISE]

Try Ventura. You can rent a 1 bedroom right now at a newly remodeled building on Main Street not too far from downtown I saw a sign on the building, rents starting at $825 a month. You would be about 2 miles inland from the beach, but you would still have an ocean view from that part of town as the geography of Ventura is your either on the beach or your slowly heading toward a hillside. Not sure if the apartment would have an ocean view, but if your thing is to spend time on the beach you could take the bus, walk, ride a bike, or what ever and be at the beach in a short time. Also plenty of rentals within your range in other parts of the city.

The downtown area comes alive during the weekend with several hot spots to spend the evening. Most places are 21 and over though. Main Street down town is a lively and vibrant area that is fun to hang out and hit the shops or just people watch. If concerts are your thing the Ventura Theater on Chestnut Street not too far off of main street hosts many big time acts.

This is no LA or San Diego, but if you are looking for a beach town to visit and spend some time in, this is one of the top Beach Cities in the world. We were listed a few years ago in Outdoor Magazine as the #2 beach city in the World. It sits between Malibu and Santa Barbara. The city has over 100,000 people so it isn't small compared to most parts of the world. You can rent kayaks, Surf Boards, Bikes, and other things on the beach. At the harbor you can rent small power boats or peddle boats.

If you wanted you could also take a bus up to Santa Barbara and spend the day hanging out.

[ladoll]

I would seriously consider living in a roommate situation. It will help with finances, especially if you can't find a job right away. If you haven't visited California, I would highly, highly recommend you do so before you actually move. I was about your age when I made a blind move to another state that was far from where I grew up (though not as far as you're going) and it was terrible. If I had taken the time to visit before I actually went, I would have saved myself a lot of time and money. You may get here and realise that it was all just a dream and not what you really want.

Not trying to be down on you or discouraging, I just want you to think about this and make sure it's what you really want before you spend your money coming out here only to discover you don't really like it.

Either way, good luck.

[Nikosan]

Portland Oregon is the bomb! 'REAL' people , fresh air, every neighborhood has its own farmers market, organic foods, vegan restaurants, wines and a plethora of micro brew pubs...Not to mention music. Outside of Austin it has a ton venues everywhere. Oh and about the people; A young, talented, educated population that is not pretencious and who cares about thier environment. (Checkout Portlandia on the IFC network or On Demand) It's funny & overexaggerated but preatty close to the eclectic people As for weather yes its colder than California but its very manageable. Summers are like HEAVEN. Low crime and cheaper than Cali.