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I am new to city-data and I need some advise.
For family reasons, I need to move to within a day's drive of relatives near the CA Central Coast and in Northern AZ.
Also, according to the doctor, a dry climate is good for my health.
(I live in the Pacific Northwest now, big mistake.)
So, I figure Southern California, Southern Nevada, or Western Arizona would be about right in where I need to be, but I don't know what part would fit best.
Here's where I need help:
I was born in the desert and grew up mostly in East Texas. Even though it was kind of suburban, we went camping or out to the shore every chance we got. We knew all our neighbors - they were actually out every evening taking a stroll in shirtsleeves - and we rode our bikes almost all year.
The best times of my life were in Texas Texarkana, Louisiana, and Florida... gulf coast in general. I love gardening, and my favorite sport is swimming at rivers and warm beaches. I miss the real summer rainstorms!
Farms around are great, farms within city limits are even better, and really intense urban density or lack of trees makes me feel down.
I just do better with a friendly, slower pace of life.
Most of all, I want my kid to grow up outdoors, climbing trees, fed on BBQ.
Anyone lived in both regions? What worked and what didn't?
I know I cannot expect one place to be just like another, I just want to take my best shot at it.
It has taken me a lot of years to realize that happiness is not too much to ask for. It is better for everyone around you too!
If you were moving to California or the Southwest, which town would you pick?
Hello,
I am new to city-data and I need some advise.
For family reasons, I need to move to within a day's drive of relatives near the CA Central Coast and in Northern AZ.
Also, according to the doctor, a dry climate is good for my health.
(I live in the Pacific Northwest now, big mistake.)
So, I figure Southern California, Southern Nevada, or Western Arizona would be about right in where I need to be geographically, but I don't know what part would fit best.
Here's where I need help:
I was born in the desert and grew up mostly in East Texas. Even though it was kind of suburban, we went camping or out to the shore every chance we got. We knew all our neighbors - they were actually out every evening taking a stroll in shirtsleeves - and we rode our bikes almost all year.
The best times of my life were in Texas Texarkana, Louisiana, and Florida... gulf coast in general. I love gardening, and my favorite sport is swimming at rivers and warm beaches. I miss the real summer rainstorms!
Farms around are great, farms within city limits are even better, and really intense urban density or lack of trees makes me feel down.
I just do better with a friendly, slower pace of life.
Most of all, I want my kid to grow up outdoors, climbing trees, fed on BBQ.
Anyone lived in both regions? What worked and what didn't?
I know I cannot expect one place to be just like another, I just want to take my best shot at it.
It has taken me a lot of years to realize that happiness is not too much to ask for. It is better for everyone around you too!
If you were moving to California or the Southwest, which town would you pick?
Hello,
I am new to city-data and I need some advise.
For family reasons, I need to move to within a day's drive of relatives near the CA Central Coast and in Northern AZ.
Also, according to the doctor, a dry climate is good for my health.
(I live in the Pacific Northwest now, big mistake.)
So, I figure Southern California, Southern Nevada, or Western Arizona would be about right in where I need to be geographically, but I don't know what part would fit best.
Here's where I need help:
I was born in the desert and grew up mostly in East Texas. Even though it was kind of suburban, we went camping or out to the shore every chance we got. We knew all our neighbors - they were actually out every evening taking a stroll in shirtsleeves - and we rode our bikes almost all year.
The best times of my life were in Texas Texarkana, Louisiana, and Florida... gulf coast in general. I love gardening, and my favorite sport is swimming at rivers and warm beaches. I miss the real summer rainstorms!
Farms around are great, farms within city limits are even better, and really intense urban density or lack of trees makes me feel down.
I just do better with a friendly, slower pace of life.
Most of all, I want my kid to grow up outdoors, climbing trees, fed on BBQ.
Anyone lived in both regions? What worked and what didn't?
I know I cannot expect one place to be just like another, I just want to take my best shot at it.
It has taken me a lot of years to realize that happiness is not too much to ask for. It is better for everyone around you too!
I've lived in Santa Barbara. I'd have stayed there if I could have convinced the then new hubs to buy us a 900k, 700sf condo (the one I was renting). No dice.
Some of my best 30-something memories are out of SB - if I had the $$$, I'd go back in a heart beat.
If you're looking for dry climate though, the central coast (unless you go way inland over the mountain ranges) might not be the best choice. Pretty wet there as far as moisture from the ocean permeating the air. Not like the humidity here though.
eta: And yes - San Diego - I lived there as well. It's drier imo than Santa Barbara or anywhere else on the central coast. A little more affordable than Santa Barbara. I'd move back there in a heart beat, too. (and no...that's NOT a slam at Houston.)
Gardening in Southern California is great! Especially if you're in the zone that's about a half-hour to an hour away from the coast. Plenty of sun, but not too hot, just add water and you can grow amazing things!
Quote:
Originally Posted by homegrown tomatoes
and my favorite sport is swimming at rivers and warm beaches.
Our beaches here are cold - not that different than what you're experiencing now in the Pacific Northwest. And the rivers near where I live are all fed by melted snow - so they're either cold, or they're very low in volume. I don't know anyone who actually swims in rivers around here. That said, it may be different farther north, I only know about San Diego and Riverside counties.
Quote:
Originally Posted by homegrown tomatoes
I miss the real summer rainstorms!
We don't get many of those, but I agree, they're fun when they happen!
Quote:
Originally Posted by homegrown tomatoes
Farms around are great, farms within city limits are even better,
Definitely need to head inland for farms. But not too far inland, because then you'll hit desert! Central California has lots of farms, but if you look hard enough you can still find some in Southern California as well.
Quote:
Originally Posted by homegrown tomatoes
and really intense urban density or lack of trees makes me feel down.
There are towns like Fallbrook, which is in Northern San Diego County, with lots of trees - usually towns that are located in an area with lots of hills, and valleys, and sort of near the coast, so that the coastal fog rolls in and sticks, allowing the trees to get enough water to survive. But you'll have to seek out places like that - they're the hidden gems in an area!
Quote:
Originally Posted by homegrown tomatoes
I just do better with a friendly, slower pace of life.
I don't have a specific place I would suggest for you to look at - just general info - hopefully others will have ideas for specific cities!
Hate Southern California. Wouldn't live there if you gave me free rent -- seriously. Great weather, great amenities, lousy public policies, lousy people.
Grew up in Phoenix, but the only Arizona city I'd ever consider living in again is Flagstaff. Rest of the state is garbage -- couldn't get out of there fast enough.
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If you were moving to California or the Southwest, which town would you pick?
