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I am looking to move to the West Coast from the very affordable area of South Carolina. What cities/towns would be affordable that has great culture and food, with some fun outdoor activities.
None of them are affordable in the truest senses of the words "cities" or "affordable".
LA, SD, SF, Portland, and Seattle, are the true "cities", and all are not affordable. You *could* find a way to make it work in each of them, but you wouldn't get much of a bang for your buck, at best you'd be in a roommate situation, or an undesirable suburb.
The Central Valley in CA (Sacramento, Modesto, Fresno, Bakersfield, et al) is more reasonable, but doesn't have as great of culture and food, and aren't on the coast. Oregon, outside of Bend and Portland is affordable, but it doesn't have great culture or food (no large cities on the OR coast). In WA, you'd have to go east of the Cascades to find affordable, but by then you're really not on the "West Coast" anymore, and the culture/food is a lot more middle American, aside from some sparse Mexican influences.
Not sure if you consider NV, AZ, and ID to be "West Coast" states, but those are much more affordable, but also likely don't have as much of the culture or food (outside of LV possibly) you seek.
A budget, and more of an idea what exactly you're looking for would help us narrow it better.
I am looking to move to the West Coast from the very affordable area of South Carolina. What cities/towns would be affordable that has great culture and food, with some fun outdoor activities.
The Central Valley in CA (Sacramento, Modesto, Fresno, Bakersfield, et al) is more reasonable, but doesn't have as great of culture and food, and aren't on the coast.
I disagree as I think ultimately it offers the OP some really good options and while it may lack culturally when compared to other major CA cities it certainly stands up well versus most cities in the US and the food scene is much better than many other areas and benefits from it's outstanding agricultural products (the area produces masses of fruits/vegetables that feeds the US) along with the foodie aspect from the nearby CA wine country.
I disagree as I think ultimately it offers the OP some really good options and while it may lack culturally when compared to other major CA cities it certainly stands up well versus most cities in the US and the food scene is much better than many other areas and benefits from it's outstanding agricultural products (the area produces masses of fruits/vegetables that feeds the US) along with the foodie aspect from the nearby CA wine country.
Agreed, but in the general sense the cities in the CV wouldn't compare to SF/LA, but Sacramento would come closest.
Yes, you're right. My comment was partially sarcastic.
I agree that the West's affordability and wages vary. But GENERALLY the west coast isn't very affordable for the average person. In places like Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Boise, and Spokane it's a good bit more affordable to the average person. CA, OR, and WA coasts, not so much.
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