Considering So Cal but where? (Los Angeles, San Diego: smog, income, employment)

[Love Cobb]

I am living in Marietta, Ga with 3 children 8,13,14. Considering moving to Cali in a year or two but need some insight on the So. Cal areas. We are an african american family looking for good schools in a family oriented quite area. Income is at $10k per month, and should increase in CA since nursing salaries are higher than GA. The area needs plenty of shopping, restaurants and parks close by and the children want to be close to the beach. Any suggestions.

[VLWH]

You really have so much to choose from. If your thinking about public schools then you might want to try the areas that serve the Las Virgenes School District, such as Calabasas, Westlake Village, Agoura Hills, Thousand Oaks. All are family oriented and within approx fifteen-twenty minutes to the beach. You might also look into Orange County.

As I'm sure you already know that nursing shortage is everywhere, so finding employment will not be an issue.


Good luck.

[uglyblackjohn]

The housing market in the I.E. may be a better buy for you. If you can deal with the sultry Gulf weather there in GA, the hot but dry climate of the near desert would be a nice change. Cali has racial issues (like everywhere else) but not the dogma/stigma of the segregation issue to hold it back. Be prepared to be more open-minded and less judgemental in your social circles.

[jtussey]

I don't recommend the IE, I have posted in another post about the school that I attended while I lived in Orange (I lived by the Crystal Cathedral) and I went to Serrano Elementary, Cerro Villa, and Villa Park High. Living in the City of Orange was nice. My dad still lives there and when I go visit him it is still quite peaceful and quiet. So I recommend that are. The IE is Much to pricey. Granted, it is cheaper than Orange County, but it is over prices. At least Orange County is overpriced for being so close to the beach and the other perks of living there, but the IE is expensive for nothing. It has so much pollution as well because it is at the base of the SB mountains. I don't know what the air is like in GA... but in the IE... it is HORRIBLE! My boyfriend drives down there everyday (We live in Victorville) and sometimes the layer of smog is green, no joke, he has taken pictures and shown them to me.

[Nature Guy]

I would advise as in the previous post (jtussey). ONLY people living in SoCal really know the magnitude of the air pollution there. I lived down there (in Palm Springs and Yucca Valley) close to the "mega-tropolis" of L.A., and well remember the insane, all-emcompassing smog that cast a pall, to say the least, over the region. It is, in fact, one of the two main reasons I decided to move away from that crap for GOOD. (The first reason was a severe pollen allergy).

Los Angeles (and the surrounding area) was once again recently voted the MOST POLLUTED air of ANY where in the entire U.S. Since we all breathe air, that's a pretty heavy condemnation of the place. And with each passing year, they discover more deadly evidence that smog air pollution not only shortens life in general, but is tied to more and more ailments and illnesses that lead to ill health.

And believe it or not, smog DOES reach the coastal cities of SoCal on many occasions. Don't believe the hype they hand you down there! SoCal is no longer the desireable location for much of ANYTHING, except pollution, congestion and crime. Do yourself and your family a BIG favor....avoid moving anywhere in southern California.

The "golden days" of SoCal ended in the mid-60's, after the infamous Watts Riot and land developers obliterated the open land around the region and over-built the low-lying hills with endless miles of track homes. I lived there and saw all this happen. It's a sorry chapter in California history, which unfortunately, cannot be changed.

Good luck!

[WestCobb]

Love Cobb!!!??!!! I've read many posts by you... I thought you loved Cobb??? Why move away?? Here are my thoughts... I'm from the California IE area. It's not what most people think when they think California. It's an ugly desert area with not much to offer in way of opportunities, natural beauty, schools, entertainment. It's "close" to everything (about two hours from LA and 2.5 to 3 hours from the beach factoring in traffic) but very far away from anywhere you want to be. Go look at their schools info. South Cobb HS is better than the best school in San Bernardino, my hometown. Also, the racial situation isn't better in this area.. it's actually worse IMO. There are fewer black people out there and they are all considered ghetto regardless of education and economic acheivement. (I'm a white male in case you're wondering.) I have never met ANYONE, literally ANYONE who was proud to live in or be from this area. If you have a bad case of California dreaming, I would highly recommend looking further toward the coasts. It's nicer, but only marginally. Really, Marietta, GA is QUITE nice compared to SoCal.

[amc760]

have you considered the san diego area?

[Love Cobb]

All I can say is WOW, I guess I really was California dreaming!!! I thought it was "all good" out west. Now I am not so sure based on these responses. I figured since housing costs were going down I could swing Cali because my children really want to go there. My kids like to roller blading, skate board and listen to rock music so they always identify with whats out in Cali. They envision being close to the beach for an afternoon of swimming when ever they want. You guys have really taken the wind out of my sail. I do love Cobb (as my screen name suggest), but the kids are getting older and I felt Cali would offer more positive exposoure/experiences. I guess not!!

[missionhome]

I think you could enjoy So Cal, but the Riverside area is not a very desireable area. Most people settle on living there, but if given the choice and finances, would move into Orange County, San Diego, LA, or Ventura in a heart beat. Now, some people really do like it, but the Inland Empire is a hot desert area, not close to the beach. You might as well live in Nevada, because it can take 2 hours just to get to a beach from Riverside. Also, the crime rate in San Bernardino is one of the worst in the nation.

If I were you, I would open up your search to Orange County (Irvine, Mission Viejo, Los Alamitos, Yorba Linda are good community examples), Ventura County (Thousand Oaks area), or San Diego (Encinitas, Carlsbad, Rancho Bernardo, Poway). These are some of the nicer family areas of So Cal with good schools, cleaner air since they are on the outskirts and more coastal, and have plenty to do. If you can afford to live in those areas, then give So Cal a chance. If not, then I would stay in Georgia because the Inland Empire isn't really the "california dream" post card perfect area of the region.

[amc760]

Originally Posted by Love Cobb

All I can say is WOW, I guess I really was California dreaming!!! I thought it was "all good" out west. Now I am not so sure based on these responses. I figured since housing costs were going down I could swing Cali because my children really want to go there. My kids like to roller blading, skate board and listen to rock music so they always identify with whats out in Cali. They envision being close to the beach for an afternoon of swimming when ever they want. You guys have really taken the wind out of my sail. I do love Cobb (as my screen name suggest), but the kids are getting older and I felt Cali would offer more positive exposoure/experiences. I guess not!!

California still does have a lot to offer. Its just that it comes with a hefty price tag.

There is danger, but its not everywhere. If your kids want trouble, it won't be hard to find. But assuming their good kids, with a bit of street smarts, they should do great. California offers a lot of exposure to different cultures and different experiences.

But places near san diego or orange county would prbably fit the bill for you. The IE is cheaper, but its not as desirable as other places. And some places are downright dangerous so be careful where you look.

But dont be scared off. Find the right place you can afford, and California is great.\