Thinking of moving to SoCal but the negativity is concerning (Los Angeles: crime, home)

[Newlife51]

I'm 51, recently divorced, from the east coast (Philadelphia for 40 years and Florida for the rest) and I've always wanted to live in Ca. I love hiking and the beach and all the options CA offers. I want to be near the city to take classes and for the nightlife (no more suburbs, my kids are all grown. Been there. Done that). I love the CA weather and everything else but I'm getting concerned as I read posts here. I know the traffic is horrible. And from posts here it sounds like so many areas are unsafe (but what city isn't?). I'm also concerned about the huge salary you need to make to live in SoCal. I've read posts that could drive you away screaming with flames coming from your hair (Unless that's the pint. Keep out the newbies. Haha). So I guess my question is this. Is there an area for a 51 year old single woman who wants to enjoy the California lifestyle and all it's glory without having to live right IN Los Angeles? But not have to sit for 3 hours on a freeway to go in to LA? Am I dreaming that this exists? Some have mentioned Ventura or south Pasadena or silver lake. I just don't know if they will be too quiet for me. I don't need the nightclub life, I'm pretty laid back and not into clubs, but I don't want a bedroom community. I don't have a job yet and so I'm not sure where I'll be working. All I know is I have to start my life completely over again (this was not the plan!) and thought if I'm going to do it I might as well go for it and live where I've always wanted to live. But some of these posts on here are scaring the heck out of me. Your thoughts? Thanks so much!

[SandyCo]

I know nothing about what kind of area you're looking for, but please check the housing prices vs. salaries in your chosen field before you move. Also, it may not be so easy for you to find a job considering your age (sorry, but it's true). All of these threads about traffic and the cost of living are true. They're not meant to scare you away, but to give you a realistic view of what it's like to live here. It's not easy to get established. Best of luck to you.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by Newlife51

I'm 51, recently divorced, from the east coast (Philadelphia for 40 years and Florida for the rest) and I've always wanted to live in Ca. I love hiking and the beach and all the options CA offers. I want to be near the city to take classes and for the nightlife (no more suburbs, my kids are all grown. Been there. Done that). I love the CA weather and everything else but I'm getting concerned as I read posts here. I know the traffic is horrible. And from posts here it sounds like so many areas are unsafe (but what city isn't?). I'm also concerned about the huge salary you need to make to live in SoCal. I've read posts that could drive you away screaming with flames coming from your hair (Unless that's the pint. Keep out the newbies. Haha). So I guess my question is this. Is there an area for a 51 year old single woman who wants to enjoy the California lifestyle and all it's glory without having to live right IN Los Angeles? But not have to sit for 3 hours on a freeway to go in to LA? Am I dreaming that this exists? Some have mentioned Ventura or south Pasadena or silver lake. I just don't know if they will be too quiet for me. I don't need the nightclub life, I'm pretty laid back and not into clubs, but I don't want a bedroom community. I don't have a job yet and so I'm not sure where I'll be working. All I know is I have to start my life completely over again (this was not the plan!) and thought if I'm going to do it I might as well go for it and live where I've always wanted to live. But some of these posts on here are scaring the heck out of me. Your thoughts? Thanks so much!

The only way for anyone to give you some advice is if you can give everyone and idea of your salary, debt situation, savings situation and such. If you do not make a very good income plan on sharing a room.You do need a good salary to live even in a 1 BDRM APT in a decent area.

Traffic and Crowding is endemic in SoCal and even a short drive in miles can be a long drive in time. The beach and weather is great, but unless you are close to them (costing more money) it can be a hassle getting to them, and then finding parking. Crime is like in any city, it depends on where you are and when. SoCal is not a major crime infested place.

[Surf_Norway]

Hey Newlife51,

I'm in a somewhat similar situation as you. As the good people here have already said, providing more info about your income/debt/preferred lifestyle/activities will help people give you concrete suggestions.

After spending some time lately reading some of the other C-D forums (NYC in particular), I do have the impression that there's a lot more negativity in the LA forum, for whatever reason. Maybe that's where all the jaded people end up?

It seems like life in LA can quickly be felt as a struggle, against so many external factors - traffic, high costs, taxes, pollution, gentrification, crime, politicians, gangs, and more. At least that's the impression that's easy to get from reading the forum here.

At 51, and having lived in Florida, wouldn't that be a good option for you? Low taxes, low cost of living, sunny, warm weather, and several different urban centers to choose from depending on what kind of lifestyle you like. Maybe not as many options for hiking there. Just thinking out loud.

Surf

[BGS91762]

Originally Posted by expatCA

The only way for anyone to give you some advice is if you can give everyone and idea of your salary, debt situation, savings situation and such. If you do not make a very good income plan on sharing a room.You do need a good salary to live even in a 1 BDRM APT in a decent area.

Traffic and Crowding is endemic in SoCal and even a short drive in miles can be a long drive in time. The beach and weather is great, but unless you are close to them (costing more money) it can be a hassle getting to them, and then finding parking. Crime is like in any city, it depends on where you are and when. SoCal is not a major crime infested place.

I get so tired of people thinking the only way to get around LA is to drive. It has a great Metro system and if your smart you use it instead of driving. Just went to Santa Monica yesterday on train. No worries about traffic or parking.

[HB2HSV]

Do not move here! You’re a 51 year old woman. You will be competing with many old women for an eligible older man with financial means to afford a home in a nice area, near the beach, a city with some night life. Men die young here from the stress of making a living, raise a family, or just get financially broke from a divorce. You will be competing with women who have fine-tune their gold-digging skills all their lives here for a slim-picking of older men.

Do you have friends here? If so, come for vacation & get to know “the lay of land” and your competition. Do you need a job here? How about finding one first? Are you able to support the life style you desire here? If you want to get back to the “dating market”, do you need to go back to the gym? Finance some nip & tuck? Yup, it is THAT superficial here! Let’s face it, if you want “just a nice guy” you can find one anywhere.

[Finper]

Originally Posted by HB2HSV

Do not move here! You’re a 51 year old woman. You will be competing with many old women for an eligible older man with financial means to afford a home in a nice area, near the beach, a city with some night life. Men die young here from the stress of making a living, raise a family, or just get financially broke from a divorce. You will be competing with women who have fine-tune their gold-digging skills all their lives here for a slim-picking of older men.

Do you have friends here? If so, come for vacation & get to know “the lay of land” and your competition. Do you need a job here? How about finding one first? Are you able to support the life style you desire here? If you want to get back to the “dating market”, do you need to go back to the gym? Finance some nip & tuck? Yup, it is THAT superficial here! Let’s face it, if you want “just a nice guy” you can find one anywhere.

She didn't say anything about wanting to find a guy

[ryanms3030]

Originally Posted by BGS91762

I get so tired of people thinking the only way to get around LA is to drive. It has a great Metro system and if your smart you use it instead of driving. Just went to Santa Monica yesterday on train. No worries about traffic or parking.

Public transportation sucks. It's only useful in a small percentage of LA county. If it was good you wouldnt have millions of people sitting in traffic every day. If I didn't have to sit in my car for 2-3 hrs a day I wouldn't and I'm sure most people wouldn't.

[LuvSouthOC]

Originally Posted by Finper

She didn't say anything about wanting to find a guy

Good point, but she did say she didn't have a job, and since there was no mention of other income streams, I am going to assume it was a fake post.

[HB2HSV]

Originally Posted by Finper

She didn't say anything about wanting to find a guy

Not directly. Say said she’s a 51 yr old woman who’s recently divorced and want to “... enjoy California lifestyle in all its glory...” and that she currently does not have a job here. She loves hiking and go to beach and also want to be closer by the city to enjoy the night life. This woman is done with the suburbs & the bedroom community. She is looking for a new start in life, new adventures, new excitements, and that will include a new man in her life.

Sure, even a blind squirrel bumps into an acorn once a while. But in SoCal, that would be a left-over acorn well worn, all chewed out, nothing left and left on side of road to shrivel up.