Want to move to Southern California, should we??? (San Diego, Anaheim: to rent, car insurance)

[mysticaltyger]

Originally Posted by Pattym05

Thank you for your advice! It was very detailed and honest and that is what I was looking for. This is a move that my family has talked about for years so we just needed to know if it was worth persuing. I hear a lot of negative feedback on Orange County, but I wonder about northern Ca. if it is at all better there.? I lived in California 20 years ago for only about 3 years so that is all I have to base this on, other than extensive visits. Thanks again, I really appreciate your help!

I live in Northern California (San Francisco Bay Area). From having visited southern Cal frequenly but never living there, here's my perspective:

--Less air pollution
--cost of living is higher, not lower....unless you live well inland in places like Sacramento
--Crime rate in San Francisco Bay Area lower in general, although some bad spots in Oakland and elsewhere

When you ask about Northern California...well that's a big area.

Many of the issues with housing cost are the same throughout California.

Sacramento seems to be an acceptable trade-off for many. Weather is ok, but not as nice as coastal areas (chilly and foggy in winter and hot in summer---still mild compared to what you have in the Midwest). I lived in Sacramento and would say I find it more pleasant than the inland areas of Southern California. Basically, it's the only inland California metro area that has a decent quality of life (in my opinion). Although the air pollution there is kinda bad. It's definitely cheaper than OC or anywhere near the coast. But it is not really a cheap place to live, either. Housing prices were bid up tremendously during the housing boom, but now are approaching affordable levels (at least to Californians who are used to hyper-inflated rents/home prices).

No matter where you live in California, you are going to have to deal with a corrupt/inept state government whose state government has the lowest bond rating of all 50 states (just a few notches above "junk" status) Overall, I think it's fair to say Californians pay high taxes but don't get much value for what we're paying.

[Sassberto]

1500-2k/mo will get you a dumpy 2BR apartment in 90% of both Southern and Northern CA. Your neighborhood will either be dangerous, remote, or some combination thereof.

The California you visited 20 years ago is gone. The landscape is still beautiful, but that's about all that's still beautiful.

You'll need money and you'll need lots of it.

[DinsdalePirahna]

I moved from OC to Saint Louis last year. Besides the cheap cost of living and the lack of traffic there really isn't anything here. Inexpensive, vanilla flavored banality.

The boring midwestern landscape of muddy rivers, and rolling flatness cannot surpass the beauty the mountains, canyons and beaches.

There is a reason why southern California is expensive. It's worth it. Inexpensive rentals in decent areas do exist in OC. You will have to downsize considerably and have a lot of perseverance and a lot of luck.

[oc2nyc]

I have to agree with Sassberto California has changed A LOT in 20 years. And like the last poster said you pay for the beauty, the weather, the plethora of things to do. If that is all worth it to you, then it is worth it to you. Only you can be the judge of that. We are moving to CT to be near family, and even though we are not getting a huge financial break it is worth it to us to be in an area we love and close to people we love. I say do your research and follow your heart. You can always move back home if it doesn't work out.

[IloveOC]

I grew up in Orange County and loved it - but that was many years ago. We moved to Minnesotta in 1966 because this is where my husband was from. I have never liked the winters but tolerate them - knowing in a few months we will have nicer weather again. My last visit to California was in 1996 and as beautiful as I thought it was, I saw many area's that I definitely would not want to live.

My suggestion would be to make a quick flight out there - spend a week if you can or a long weekend. Check out the area's that you might want to live in and actually look at what you get for the money. You may find it is not as appealing as you were hoping. And really look at the neighborhoods - or visit the schools and take a peek. I know that I would love to live out there again, but I know that the area's I could afford are not where I would be happy living. And keep in mind that photo's of properties are marketing tools. We used to see hotel photo's and think the place looked really great when we made reservations. Then we would get there and the room would smell like pinesol - ha ha - they need scratch and sniff photo's.

Anyway - you get the idea. It would surely be worth the money spent and you would have a better feel for the area - whether it is California or Florida.

[coriwithaK]

Don't do it. There are other places with nice weather.

And as far as school age kids go, don't get too excited about a 'blue ribbon school'. They're everywhere and that title means absolutely nothing in most cases. Be very cautious about what you choose.

Picture threads are also not the way to judge this area.

[Roogy]

If faced with the decision of beautiful California or humid Florida, take California everyday of the year.

[coriwithaK]

Quick bit of trivia...OC now stands for Overrated County.

[Pattym05]

Dear Iloveoc,

Thank you for your advice, it is actually what my husband and I were thinking of doing. I have some friends who live there so hoping they will be of some help on this too.

[NAU Alumni]

I am born and raised OC so I will try and give my honest assessment of this area both pros and cons.

If your looking for a nice safe area with decent schools I would suggest the following:
Lake Forrest, Mission Viejo, Laguna Nigel, Rancho Santa Margarita and Irvine. These are very suburban areas that appeal to some but not others.

To rent a decent home will cost between $2500 and $3000.

A modest home in a nice neighborhood such as Huntington Beach/Costa Mesa will cost around $600k to $700k. The taxes will be around $7k to $8k per year.

I would not send my kids the high school I attended in Anaheim.

Don't even consider a city that won the prestigious "All American City" such as Westminster, Compton or Huntington Park.

The traffic here is horrible. LA is even worse.

We do have our fair share of illegals.

I grew up going to the beach in Huntington Beach but haven't been there since I was a kid. It is too crowded and no where to park. The best beach to go to is Doheney State Beach in October. Still warm and quiet.

If you like wine tasting we have the Central Coast. Absolutely beautifull country and some of the best wine you will ever taste.

Gangs and their influence are definatley kreeping in but still nothing like LA.

Did i mention the traffic. It can get so bad that you get the feeling of being landlocked.