The Truth about California from a former west coast Girl... (Los Angeles: quality of life, living)

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by MisterDuke

As far as crime in OC…. According to the City-Data crime index, every city in OC is below the national average for reported crimes. That includes Santa Ana and Anaheim. The crime rate in Anaheim is 17% lower than the national average. Santa Ana is 10-12% below the national average. And that’s with police forces that are one-third the size. I’d say that’s pretty good. Maybe if the local cities were to staff the police departments more in line with the national average, OC could make a dent in the gang issue.

I think you are right that OC's crime isn't any worse than any other large metro area, and may be better than average.

One thing I'd add....they could afford more cops if the cops weren't paid such bloated salaries (not to mention the benefits). Salaries for most cops in CA have gotten out of line with reality. I work in the public sector myself, and I am sick to death of seeing cops and firemen get whatever the h*ll they want, regardless of the effect on public finances.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by that1guy

Inland California is perfect for the middle class.

I think "perfect" might be an exaggeration. If you are referring to places in the Inland Empire...what is so great about it??? Sure the weather is nice (in the winter at least). But the cost of living is still higher than most other places in the US. Wages in the inland areas are low. Traffic is a drag. Lots of cookie cutter housing with no character. There's nasty smog.

Basically the inland areas of CA offer a lot of the disadvangates of CA with few of the advantages. Proximity to the nicer areas sounds good, but who has time to do that when you are working every day?

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by Coldjensens

2. She is talking about Orange County, not the entire state. there are warnings on television during the summer telling residents to avoid going outside and not to exercise due to smog conditions. When I am told to stay inside or at least avaoid exercise, to me that is a serious health impact. On the weekends, the smog smudge moves to the beaches. During the week is stays more inland where the freeways are. It is certianly there, and it seems odd to say that breahting that crud is not a health concern. You can see the brown smudge in the sky when you come into Orange County in an airplane or from the mountains. Yes Riverside and San Bernardino are generally worse, but there is a serious smog problem for a good part of the year in Orange County. The partial haze that you are talking about is what traps the pooution in place and forms smog. The word smog comes from the combination of air pollution with fog or haze. Studies have shown the kids who grow up in LA, OC and the inland empire have reduced lung capacity compared to people who grow up in say Iowa. Part of that may be attributable to less exercise, but part is probably caused by smog.

Thank you for saying this about the smog. I can't believe anyone in SoCal would try to say the pollution there has no adverse health effects. I live in the Bay Area but have been to SoCal enough to see the pollution. I'm sure the smog is not as bad as it used to be, but they've got a looong way to go before the air quality there is decent.

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by skyway31

No question, the Riverside and San Bernadino areas are the absolute worst for air quality in the country. People reading this, though, need to understand there is a HUGE difference in air quality in most of the rest of SoCal (coastal areas in particular). It's much better anywhere outside of that belt east of L.A.

It's true. But the air quality in most parts of SoCal (especially Los Angeles and Orange Counties) is still really lousy, except for maybe San Diego (only moderately bad) and Ventura County northward (relatively clean).

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by KaraG

the environmentalists stall or inflate the price of so many normal infrastructure projects - the completion of the 241 toll road thru gorgeous canyon areas would have been seen as a scenic highway in any other state. Blocking it has left the south portion of the county without a needed alternative highway for normal traffic and to evacuate those fire danger areas.
- was surprised at how long it takes the marine layer to burn off each day near the beach - sometimes the sun wouldn't break through until 1 or 2
- many families have to share housing and I'm not just talking about illegals. If you end up divorced in California, chances are you'll be renting out half a house or some other creative arrangement in order continue to afford to live there. We know many great people who had to rent out rooms or carve up homes.
- the younger generation can't afford to live on their own, like so many other places in the country. It's sad to see the 25 & 30 year old singles/couples/young families still staying with their parents when it is so affordable in other states to have their own house.

Good points. I would add that the environmentalists also block a lot of the new housing development in the state, which is a good part of the reason why home prices are so high in CA (limited supply).

[Raelyn28]

I would like to respond to the last few posters. Thank you for backing me up on these issues of reality in OC. If you have noticed there have been a few people on these threads that actually say the dumbest things. Like there isn't any smog, it isn't expensive, blah, blah, blah, yah right?? Like why would want to attract more people to OC anyway??. Isn't it already crowded enough?

I just don't get it at all? I started this thread with a few simple truths about Southern Cal and particularly OC and have had a few negative responses from certain people as if I am making up stories or something. One person even said I never lived there!!

I am glad that you guys are backing me up here. Thank you... People need to know what the area is about.. good and bad. I moved there thinking it was all palm trees, blue skies and picture perfect storybook living. Far from the truth. I was in for a big shock which I think most people will find... again if they don't make a LOT of money...

There are people who have actually thanked me for letting them in on the reality of the area and I am sure that they appreciate your honesty as well. Thanks again Keep on sharing your experiences!!

[pecosbill]

Originally Posted by dancingirisheyes

Real Estate is certainly still a major gripe. CA is pricing mediocre suburbs like coastal estates.

I have absolutely no intention of paying $350K for a large condo when I have 3 children. We'd be tripping all over each other. Nor do I think it is wise to pay $350K and receive so little in return. I don't value smog, traffic, earthquakes, or a government that values our law enforcement and education so very little (thanks to the new budget, my husband has suffered two demotions in less than 4 months and he was once considered on the path to the highest ranking position in his institution. His demotions were all decided on county financial needs, not his performance.) I don't value over-development so that I have a Target and a Starbucks within 5 miles of my home in every direction.

When you add those into the equation, I'm not willing to pay $350K for a small place and in no world am I willing to pay $500K for what the rest of the country would classify as a modest, average American family home. Because honestly, what are the benefits of living in CA? Nice winters? Nice springs? The summer and fall are not really nice here. We're smoked out every fall by the wildfires. The summers are so hot that unless you have a pool, you're holed up in your home with the a/c cranked on and bemoaning your extraordinary energy bill from the cost.

What in the world are we paying such high real estate prices for??

If I could find a home for $350K, 3-4 bedrooms, in a nice neighborhood with a good school, a decent sized yard and at least 2000 sq. ft. (like I'm finding by the boat load in WA), then I'd stay in a heartbeat. I'd continue to live with the smog and the traffic, etc. etc. But I'm not paying $500K AND being subjected to those things.

I just don't get why CA real estate prices are not representative of what you're really getting.

Prices of home is like any other goods, it is offer and demand... If more people demand prices go up, simple as that... As far as Smog is concern yes Los Angeles area is not good but look at any other places that have mountains around and you will find the same issue... Las Vegas is a good exemple. Sadly this is the lot of most major cities but it is very obvious in LA Area as you have mountains around and you can see the "orange" cloud. The air quality (based upon american lung association) is not that bad in OC. 17 days in Orange (ozone) and 45 days high particules (orange, probably due to fire) no red, no purple days...
Now if I may I will bring a few things in perspectives...
I am coming from France around Paris (yeah I know I move from Paris (paradis...) to New Jersey..) Paris is highly polluted (more than OC) like any major city in EU, I used to leave 15 miles away from Paris in a 1400 Sf house with a pocket size garden with 3 kids and the house was considered big by EU standards (priced around 500 Kusd)... Wake up guys your are spoiled with the size, air conditioning all that kinda stuff
You don't need air condiotioning in most places in CA, just open the windows at night (it is dry at least in CA...) yes you can sleep well with 80 F in your house you do not need the 70 F. Spain and Italy and south of France enjoy tempeartures above 90 F but there is no air conditioning and people are fine with this...
In Beautiful NJ where I leave now I might turn the air conditioning 5 to 10 days per year when you have 95 F and 100 Humidity... I have to say I am the exception in my area... Most people leave it at 72 winter and summer.. Wast of energy and money
Anyway it is raining again in NJ

Cheers I hope you will find your place in WA, I am jealous, I trully are...
Pecosbill

[pecosbill]

Originally Posted by Raelyn28

I would like to respond to the last few posters. Thank you for backing me up on these issues of reality in OC. If you have noticed there have been a few people on these threads that actually say the dumbest things. Like there isn't any smog, it isn't expensive, blah, blah, blah, yah right?? Like why would want to attract more people to OC anyway??. Isn't it already crowded enough?

I just don't get it at all? I started this thread with a few simple truths about Southern Cal and particularly OC and have had a few negative responses from certain people as if I am making up stories or something. One person even said I never lived there!!

I am glad that you guys are backing me up here. Thank you... People need to know what the area is about.. good and bad. I moved there thinking it was all palm trees, blue skies and picture perfect storybook living. Far from the truth. I was in for a big shock which I think most people will find... again if they don't make a LOT of money...

There are people who have actually thanked me for letting them in on the reality of the area and I am sure that they appreciate your honesty as well. Thanks again Keep on sharing your experiences!!

Link to air quality in the US.
Air Quality - American Lung Association site
Just type your zip codes and you have the data. I agree OC is not great but not the worth. A good point is that the quality has been improving over the years and people have aknowledge that there is a problem, which I believe is the first step towards recovery... So I am hopefull for California, think positif and be part of the solution...

[pecosbill]

Just run a query on air quality data comparing OC, to New Jersey Mercer county (where I leave) and Las Vegas (mountain area like LA/OC)

I have selected Outdoor activity because I run often...
Again I am not questioning the fact that the air quality is good or not, I have seen the "orange" clouds but data speaks for themselves...

[skyway31]

If you can get that house for $300, get it now. lol