Cities in SoCal that aren't expensive? (San Diego, Fresno: apartment, rental, low crime)

[mrp5150]

Hey guys, this is my first post here and it seems like a good place to get some info. I'm just looking for some options since I'm not familiar with the area at all being from Pennsylvania.

I'm considering moving out that way because of health reasons (I have a condition that makes my hands and feet extremely sensitive to cold weather), but I can't afford anything really pricey. I don't need anything fancy at all, but I don't want to live in a really awful area.

I suppose I would just be looking for a simple 1 bedroom place to rent. I've heard good things about Encinitas (the weather seems perfect there) but I just wanted to see if there are areas with a similar climate that might be cheaper? Around here I can find a place for around $300-400 a month, but I don't expect that in CA. Would something in the $700 a month range including all or most utilities be reasonable to expect at all?

[californio sur]

El Centro

[Charles]

Originally Posted by mrp5150

Hey guys, this is my first post here and it seems like a good place to get some info. I'm just looking for some options since I'm not familiar with the area at all being from Pennsylvania.

I'm considering moving out that way because of health reasons (I have a condition that makes my hands and feet extremely sensitive to cold weather), but I can't afford anything really pricey. I don't need anything fancy at all, but I don't want to live in a really awful area.

I suppose I would just be looking for a simple 1 bedroom place to rent. I've heard good things about Encinitas (the weather seems perfect there) but I just wanted to see if there are areas with a similar climate that might be cheaper? Around here I can find a place for around $300-400 a month, but I don't expect that in CA. Would something in the $700 a month range including all or most utilities be reasonable to expect at all?

What about a job? Where would you work?

Why don't you just wear gloves and warm boots?

[EscapeCalifornia]

Why not Phoenix? You'll have plenty of heat and its much cheaper there.

[Vinsanity]

I don't think there's anything that cheap that's not out in the desert.

You could try Riverside, which is on the fringe between the low desert and the Greater LA area, but you'll be looking at closer to $1000/mo. Palmdale might be cheaper, but that's in the heart of the high desert. Fresno and Bakersfield might be cheaper, but those are in inland Central CA.

The cheapest I've seen near the coast is just north of San Diego, around $1200/mo.

[mrp5150]

Originally Posted by EscapeCalifornia

Why not Phoenix? You'll have plenty of heat and its much cheaper there.

I don't think I could take the extreme heat there. That's the main reason I was looking at Southern California because it's warm, but not unbearable like Arizona, Texas, or Florida would be.

[EscapeCalifornia]

Originally Posted by mrp5150

I don't think I could take the extreme heat there. That's the main reason I was looking at Southern California because it's warm, but not unbearable like Arizona, Texas, or Florida would be.

Then you'll have to pay a high price for it.

[mrp5150]

Originally Posted by Vinsanity

The cheapest I've seen near the coast is just north of San Diego, around $1200/mo.

Even in smaller towns in the San Diego area?

[MtnSurfer]

The best weather is in places like Encinitas which along Coastal Cal. The Pacific Ocean regulates the temperature. Coastal areas are also the most sought after thus expensive. Believe it or not this is a common question here. Where can I find cheap housing in a nice area (low crime) in California? The short answer is obvisously that supply and demand dictates higher rent. The only exceptions to this are special housing for low/fixed income people. Otherwise you have to move inland from the coast where it gets hotter, smoggier and can have a bit higher crime. Places like Bakersfield, Murrieta, El Cajon, etc... are cheaper. But you may need/want AC.

Use craigslist to discover rental prices for the various areas. Consider a studio apartment. You may find exceptions to the general rule. But the place may be a bit run down.
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/searc...=700&bedrooms=

Consider the Central Coast as well:
http://slo.craigslist.org/search/apa...=700&bedrooms=

http://monterey.craigslist.org/searc...=700&bedrooms=

Derek

[ferretkona]

Originally Posted by mrp5150

Even in smaller towns in the San Diego area?

Especially in San Diego. You might get a break in Baja Mexico.