San Clemente for SWF working from home mid 30's (San Diego: apartments, rentals)

[rgb123]

I only have two more months to make a decision. I currently live in Ventura and started working from home. I've long desired to move further south but I seem to be stuck between San Clemente/Orange County (but really stuck on SC for some reason...) or San Diego but probably more specifically the North County of San Diego.

I haven't spent a ton of time in either area but some.

Some pros of San Clemente that I see..

-beach, obviously
-found some decent apartments on the other side of the 5 (will have to visit to see if its really as nice as it seems)
-near a church I want to become a regular at
-close to both LA and San Diego if I were to lose my job or want to look around
-I tend to like small downtowns and I like to be near cities while still feeling a little bit of a slower pace
-it is halfway between my two biggest clients if I do need to do an onsite visit in Ventura or SD, and amtrak is there to transport me

My concern is that I could regret not moving closer to SD or LA (though I doubt the latter), and that maybe San Clemente is too small for i.e. hard to make friends, everyone already knows each other kind of place?

I'm not in the market for a home, just looking for a decent place to live since I work from home I need at least 2 bedrooms or a 1.5 (now I know from experience...)

I've heard the OC is crappy for singles but I'm wondering if that is just something people just throw out there because they 'heard' it but never really lived that way themselves. Everyone seems to think an urban core is the place to be single but I'm not sure it matters. Ive never met tons of people either way based on where I live and tend to meet people online, through organizations or through work. I value my saftey, outdoors and peace and quiet in a living situation though I do like small/medium downtowns.

[goozer]

San Clemente certainly sounds like a decent fit for you. Carlsbad is also a pretty nice choice with perhaps slightly better nightlife and job opportunities. I would try to spend a little time in both places before making a decision.

[rgb123]

thanks I've been looking in that area too.....is it me or have I read that Carlsbad gets the worst of the marine layer in that area? San Clemente just seems to have the most awesome beach....whenever I go by on Amtrak or when I've stopped there it just seems like everyone is having the time of thier life, the water is warmer its sunny....sigh...lol

[pacific2]

Originally Posted by rgb123

thanks I've been looking in that area too.....is it me or have I read that Carlsbad gets the worst of the marine layer in that area? San Clemente just seems to have the most awesome beach....whenever I go by on Amtrak or when I've stopped there it just seems like everyone is having the time of thier life, the water is warmer its sunny....sigh...lol

As you said, you are just looking for a rental, so why not first try San Clemente and, if it doesn't workout, move to Carlsbad? Nothing beats firsthand experience. Besides,you are single and have flexibility.

[rgb123]

good point. I do have some stuff and moving sucks, but it might even make sense to put my stuff in storage for awhile and do some short term rentals...hmmm