Laguna Beach Worst Place to Live (Chula Vista, Orange: low income, apartment, hotel)

[Refuge51]

If Laguna Beach isn't for Calipoo, then it simply isn't. I live in Nebraska. Yes, it is downright bitterly cold here, and every winter I dream of my California, but housing is cheap here, neighborhoods are safe, taxes very low. I lived in Southern Ca for many years, and police helicopters flying over can be quite disconcerting. Still, for those who live there, you couldn't ask for cheaper produce, things to do, and a warm wonderful climate, whereas, others would rather survive cold winters for a different style of life. Don't judge her please...to each their own.

[LASam]

It may very well be a terrible place to live, but whenever I've visited for the day I've found it to be one of the most beautiful places around. Sorry to hear you are unhappy there... how long have you lived in LB?

[jksouthbay88]

Been there twice to visit

Hate it there
That place sucks!!!!


Well at least for me

[LASam]

Originally Posted by jksouthbay88

Been there twice to visit

Hate it there
That place sucks!!!!


Well at least for me

It's definately no Chula Vista!

[nmnita]

Originally Posted by Refuge51

If Laguna Beach isn't for Calipoo, then it simply isn't. I live in Nebraska. Yes, it is downright bitterly cold here, and every winter I dream of my California, but housing is cheap here, neighborhoods are safe, taxes very low. I lived in Southern Ca for many years, and police helicopters flying over can be quite disconcerting. Still, for those who live there, you couldn't ask for cheaper produce, things to do, and a warm wonderful climate, whereas, others would rather survive cold winters for a different style of life. Don't judge her please...to each their own.

Many would not judge her if she had a little different attitude. Not liking a place is one thing, but statements about narrow streets and dog walking are just plain looking for things to ***** about. I agree with you, we wouldn't live back in Calif. but we also see the positives the state has to offer and Lauguna Beach is an outstanding place for those who can afford it.

Nita

[Mach50]

It's the snobs that kill Laguna Beach for me. Beautiful place, but I wouldn't live there, even if I had millions.

[leonard]

Originally Posted by Calipoo

...Or one of the worst(imho). I was warned by people who had lived here and I should have listened. Such beautiful beaches how could it be bad, I thought? Well, life in Laguna is miserable and difficult. Sooo many places better. I have lived here for a few years. You get nickled and dimes to death by the city. The city gets you in so many ways. Parking, walking your dog, being on the beach, even kids riding scooters are not safe- they will find a way to get you through tickets, fines and taxes. It is always crowded. Tons of people, crime and noise. Not peaceful like one would think. Sirens from police and emergency all night long. Lots of noise from constuction going on too. Small streets that no one can get around. Everything super expensive. Many homeless have come in and are living on the beaches in tents. And the people that live here think they are so much better than everyone else. It is not a happy place. I can't wait to get out of here and visit once in a while to see the ocean.

It is a beach town what else do you expect? It isn't Mayberry.

[jksouthbay88]

Originally Posted by LASam

It's definately no Chula Vista!

......:Or W.L.A.
That's why I don't like it.

[RobE]

Originally Posted by Calipoo

...Or one of the worst(imho). I was warned by people who had lived here and I should have listened.

The people living in Pico-Union, Santa Ana and Compton are weeping for you and thanking their lucky stars that they haven't been sentenced to Laguna Beach. Maybe we can have U.N. sanctions imposed on it until the city becomes like the rest of the civilized world. I hear Monarch Bay is developing its own nukes and may try to declare itself an independent republic and conclude an alliance with the Cayman Islands. Too bad Dick Cheney still isn't around. He would show them a thing or two.

[Wurzig]

Originally Posted by Calipoo

...Or one of the worst(imho). I was warned by people who had lived here and I should have listened. Such beautiful beaches how could it be bad, I thought? Well, life in Laguna is miserable and difficult. Sooo many places better. I have lived here for a few years. You get nickled and dimes to death by the city. The city gets you in so many ways. Parking, walking your dog, being on the beach, even kids riding scooters are not safe- they will find a way to get you through tickets, fines and taxes. It is always crowded. Tons of people, crime and noise. Not peaceful like one would think. Sirens from police and emergency all night long. Lots of noise from constuction going on too. Small streets that no one can get around. Everything super expensive. Many homeless have come in and are living on the beaches in tents. And the people that live here think they are so much better than everyone else. It is not a happy place. I can't wait to get out of here and visit once in a while to see the ocean.

Much of what you say is true, but Laguna Beach has been the way it is for many decades. It started out as an artistic colony way back when...and it remains so today. If you haven't seen The Pageant of the Masters, please do so before you move....it is something that you will remember for the rest of your life....truly amazing. The Sawdust Festival is fun, too. Both of these draw immense crowds, but it is what it is and summer doesn't last forever.

This area is a vacation (or weekend destination), place for many folks, especially people who want to escape the inland heat during the summer. It has a beautiful beach, lots of restaurants, out-of-the-ordinary boutiques, and plenty of lodging, too. In addition to parking meters, the city relies on restaurant and bed taxes for survival. It used to be that residents could buy a parking permit from the city and they wouldn't have to pay for meters...you might want to check into it if you are not ready to move yet.

Yards are small, so I wouldn't consider it to be super kid-friendly, however there are some great parks in the area.

PCH has always been crowded, and with so many businesses and pedestrians along the road, one has to drive slowly. Jaywalking tickets might be annoying, but they save lives. The flickering lights have been embedded in the streets along the crosswalks because quite a few people have been killed over the years due to drivers being unable to see them. (Before they installed the lights, there were wooden boxes with flags in them and pedestrians would wave them to get attention before they crossed, but many flags were stolen throughout the years so they had to think of something else).

The narrow roads in the town have been there forever. Many of them twist and turn so that houses in the hills can have ocean views. And, of course, an ocean view will 'up' the price of the house, even one that is old and rickety.

Much of the construction noise that you hear is most likely due to the rebuilding of homes and businesses destroyed during the massive fire (and later, land slides), @ 17 years ago.....and also another slide that came out of nowhere just a couple of years ago. It (the fire), may seem like years ago, but it doesn't feel that way if you live in the area. Most people were underinsured during that fire. It takes years to save enough to rebuild on a dream lot...especially in this day and age. Santa ana winds are feared devil winds, very destructive. Plus, ocean air rots wood, so things have to be replaced in buildings. This is true in any beach community.

I am not sure what you mean about your dog comment, but dogs should get rabies shots and licensed in all areas, not just Laguna Beach. In order to keep beaches clean for people during the busiest months, dogs are not allowed....this also helps the city with liability insurance just in case a vacationeer gets bitten.

Yes, it's an expensive area, (tell me what vacation destination isn't), but there are economical places to shop a little bit south of L.B....Costco is not that far, Wal Mart is on Alicia, Target is on La Paz, etc....you just have to explore a little bit...

While there are some very expensive homes there, there are also plenty of hard-working, middle-class people in Laguna Beach who have lived there, raised their families there and are retiring....they are not the types who feel they are better....I am sad that you haven't met any neighbors in this category...

If you are in Coto and it's 105 in the summer and it's 72 at Salt Creek, tell me, where would you rather be? Now you know why it's so expensive!

On the upside, you are now on city.data....before your next move, ask questions to locals about the areas in which they live.....most people are honest on here and will help you out. It's good to know about the negatives and the positives about an area, and all areas have them. Good luck!