moving to california (San Francisco, Sacramento, Oakland: tornadoes, insurance, home)

[ljd2003]

I would love to move to california, just the thought of earthquakes really makes me nervous..Can anyone tell me what its like to live in the earthquake land, and if I should really be so nervous....Thanks for all of the input.
Also if anyone knows of an area that earthquakes dont occur as often?

[StampinTami]

We really don't have earthquakes all that often. I will hear on the news that there was an earthquake and I never even notice them. The only earthquake that I have really felt here in the central valley was the big one in SF back in Oct of 89. I personally don't see them as a big deal as long as they are small ones. You never know if a big one will hit tho. Stay away from active fault areas.

[fbcobrn]

Originally Posted by StampinTami

. You never know if a big one will hit tho. Stay away from active fault areas.

This is for sure......they can predict all they want. I've lived east of the Oakland Hills for 57 years and the only ones that stand out in my mind are 1955, 1979 and the Big One where the Bay Bridge broke.
I agree with research where major faults are, avoid highly dense areas around them and most can be ridden out without damage.
I'd rather live thru an earthquake than a tornado or hurricane, which to me result in greater devastation and you never know who's back yard you are going to land in

[WN737]

There aren't many, if any, earthquakes in the Central Valley. I haven't felt one in last 4 years I've lived here and I don't think there have ever been any noticable ones in Sacramento. But there are much nicer places to live in California. I live in the Sacramento area and cannot wait to get out. And even in the Bay Area or LA there arn't as many earthquakes as people often think. They're usually not that bad even they there are any.

[movingoutofCA]

I got chewed out by another poster before for saying that earthquakes don't bother us. They really aren't that big of a deal. When I flew for the first time last year, the turbulance really reminded me of what an earthquake feels like. There was a pretty big quake in 94 in Northrigde. I am about 60-70 miles away, and we felt it pretty good. But the last one that I can really remeber feeling was in 98 or 99. Most of the time you sleep right through them. Or if you are driving, which Californians are always doing, you might get a feeling like you have a flat. Most of the time my husband will come home and say 'did you feel the earthquake" and I never have. Other natural disasters have sirens and warnings, earthquakes have NOTHING. Forget earthquake insurance, it can sometimes triple your premium. Don't worry about earthquakes, reconsider CA for so many other more valid reasons.

[greatbasinguide]

The Loma Prieta quake, which killed people was on an unknown fault, you pays your dues and takes your chances. Quakes happen,, beats hurricanes and tornadoes, and humidity.

The Paso Robles Quake which killed people was on an unknown minor fault.

[dennismpat]

Originally Posted by ljd2003

I would love to move to california, just the thought of earthquakes really makes me nervous..Can anyone tell me what its like to live in the earthquake land, and if I should really be so nervous....Thanks for all of the input.
Also if anyone knows of an area that earthquakes dont occur as often?

I think you may have been watching too many TV movies, like "Escape from L.A." and "10.5." Let me assure you, those fictional portrayals of catastrophic earthquakes are gross exaggerations. Sure, major earthquakes can be terrible and a major disruption to the area(s) hit, but most are surviveable with advanced planning.

I don't believe the Sacramento area suffers from earthquakes to the extent of the coastal areas (i.e., San Francisco Bay Area). BUT, if the S.F. area gets hit with a big enough quake (like the Loma Prieta one of 1989), people in the Sacramento/Stockton/Modesto areas are bound to feel it, but will in all likelihood not suffer any major structural damage. Another good example is the 1906 San Francisco quake, which was in the 8.3 range on the Richter scale. I've read that the Sacramento area felt it pretty good, but suffered no damage, unlike the poor folks in San Francisco.

In conclusion, every part of the country suffers from some kind of natural disaster, no matter where you live. The only thing with earthquakes is that there is no way to accurately predict when and where the next one will occur, unlike tornadoes and hurricanes. As for me, being a California native, I'd rather go through an earthquake that will last for less than a minute than see a tornado or hurricane bearing down on me.

[Need_affordable_home]

Ill take my chances with quakes over canes. Earthquakes can happen almost anywhere. There was one on the southwest coast of Florida, but I was too far to feel it.

[KidBlue]

I lived in the LA area for 12 years and the Sacramento/foothills area for 40 years and I've never really felt even a moderate earthquake. In fact, the only earthquakes I've felt were so mild, I had to ask the person next to me if they felt it too or was it just windy out. But I hear the Loma Prieta quake set off a lot of car alarms in Sacramento.

[tonytampa]

Lived in California, now live in St. Petersburg, FLA. Survived '89 quake//made it thru the worst hurricane season on record in Fla (2004)......NO comparison, I will take the hurricanes anyday!! Difference: lots of ADVANCE WARNINGS with a hurricane. Even in New Orleans (Katrina), people would have been OK if they had started to evacuate early. Earthquakes are the worst...no warning at all, all of a sudden everything goes to hell. The "Big One" really hasn't hit Calif. yet...it is a matter of when, not if. Estimates are that a magnitude 8-9 in SF or LA will kill more people than all the hurricanes since 1900 COMBINED!!!

St. Pete is great...summers are hot and humid (approx. 3 months are bad)...winters are the BEST in the country...mild temps and low humidity. This is a great town with lots of young people moving in...great arts scene..very progressive.

Good luck with your decision!!