Moving to CA (santa clarita/ Burbank or SC (Charleston/ Mt Pleasant) (Sacramento: transfer, theater)

[lpollard80]

Moving from a suburb of Milwaukee, Wisconsin SOON. Considered Tucson or Scottsdale AZ for last couple years but decided I want to be closer to the ocean. I will transfer with my current employer. I am trying to decide between Santa Clarita/Valencia/Lancaster/Palmdale area. I did consider Bakersfield- but I think that is off the list now. In South Carolina- Charleston or Mount Pleasant. I've spent a lot of time in the West and love it. I don't have a lot of experience with the East coast.

My main concerns for where I live... weather needs to be warm and sunny, less bugs the better, I would like to be close to outdoor activities (parks, trails and water), less humidity the better, Ive been a vegetarian my whole life and would like options for dining, I would like to be around friendly people and the least amount of crime. I want to be close to a major city but not in so I can utilize theaters, activities, major airport and future jobs if mine changes. I have a BS in Business Management and might go back for an MBA. I'm 28 and enjoy traveling, exercise, work, going out and other basic stuff.

I know I would love Sothern Cali, but I'm not sure if it is worth the higher cost of living. Might I be better off in South Carolina, my concern is it might be too slow paced and humid.... Any experiences or suggestions would be helpful.

[Charles]

Where is the job near Santa Clarita/Lancaster Palmdale?
Santa Clarita is very popular with families and is pretty nice place to live. It gets hot but it is not humid. No bugs.
Palmdale Lancaster has similar weather but has different demographics and a different economy and especially a different challenge commuting should a person ever have to find a "Plan B" job.

[ToadB]

It really depends where your job will be. LA is much bigger, or rather spread out, than out-of-towners realize. You don't want to commute far, it can be hell. Generally the ocean side is less humid and the Valleys are more humid.

[Charles]

Originally Posted by ToadB

Generally the ocean side is less humid and the Valleys are more humid.

I think you got this backwards.

[KnoxTown]

You'll be much happier in Charleston then in Palmdale.

[timelesschild]

Charleston is beautiful.

(1) Do the two jobs pay equally? (2) Can you afford equal housing in each location?

If the two financial situations are going to be equal, then go with your desired lifestyle.

Given the wishes to avoid bugs and humidity, I'd tell you to pick the California job, and definitely stick with Valencia or Santa Clarita, NOT Palmdale or Lancaster. But these areas are not quite as close to the coast as Charleston is. What draws you to the coast? Beaches? Sailing? Vacationing convenience? Family?

[Lovehound]

Originally Posted by lpollard80

... I want to be closer to the ocean. I will transfer with my current employer. I am trying to decide between Santa Clarita/Valencia/Lancaster/Palmdale area. ...

My main concerns for where I live... weather needs to be warm and sunny, less bugs the better, I would like to be close to outdoor activities (parks, trails and water), less humidity the better, Ive been a vegetarian my whole life and would like options for dining, I would like to be around friendly people and the least amount of crime. I want to be close to a major city but not in so I can utilize theaters, activities, major airport and future jobs if mine changes...

Quit your worrying. The place for you is Santa Clarita or Valencia. They are both in the same area (you can't tell the border line) and they've got what you want.

Go for it! Santa Clarita or Valencia!

(I used to work in one of them and my employer moved to the other. I worked there for almost 4 years, commuting from Northridge in the San Fernando Valley.)

[uptown_urbanist]

Charleston is great (amazingly beautiful and by the water) and you certainly don't need to worry about being bored or it being too slow-paced, but it will be far buggier and humid. If it was between Lancaster/Palmdale and Charleston I'd pick Charleton in a second, even with the bugs and humidity.

[lpollard80]

Thank you for all of your recomendations. I am going to head down to CA over memorial day weekend. Now I have confused myself a little further, but for the good. I am also going to check out Roseville- North of Sacramento and also West Sac. Any comments on Sac or Roseville? I think the Charleston area might be more of a place for me to vacation to. It does seem that a lot of Cali relocates to N and S Carolina.

[KnoxTown]

Originally Posted by lpollard80

Thank you for all of your recomendations. I am going to head down to CA over memorial day weekend. Now I have confused myself a little further, but for the good. I am also going to check out Roseville- North of Sacramento and also West Sac. Any comments on Sac or Roseville? I think the Charleston area might be more of a place for me to vacation to. It does seem that a lot of Cali relocates to N and S Carolina.

Maybe its just me, but I would never live in Palmdale, Lancaster, Sac-town, etc... Too me, If you aren't in a coastal bordering city, what's the point of paying the "California Luxury Tax" to live here...? Most people will say, "I'll just drive to LA when I'm not at work.", after you sit in traffic for a couple hours, those trips will probably diminish quickly. Anyways, I still think you'd love Charleston; if I wasn't in LA, I'd be there. Good luck on your trip and making your decision