What would say the best place to live in California is, for a family? (living in, places)

[Brenda-by-the-sea]

Agreed. I guess the problem is it seems to another one of the 23,000 annual posts looking for that perfect Mama-Bear place in a state with 37 million inhabitants that's not too big, not too small, is safe, has great schools, a good job market, an affordable housing market, a great climate and is near the beach. Some place like you see on television. A place that's wonderful, yet for some reason, not that many people want to live there. I don't have much helpful information there. How many times can we rehash the Reality Check sermon?

[MtnSurfer]

Originally Posted by Brenda-by-the-sea

Agreed. I guess the problem is it seems to another one of the 23,000 annual posts looking for that perfect Mama-Bear place in a state with 37 million inhabitants that's not too big, not too small, is safe, has great schools, a good job market, an affordable housing market, a great climate and is near the beach. Some place like you see on television. A place that's wonderful, yet for some reason, not that many people want to live there. I don't have much helpful information there. How many times can we rehash the Reality Check sermon?

Well, it's the thing that dreams and Hollywood are made. But with a readjustment of expectations it doesn't mean they couldn't make a life for themselves out here. It sounds like they definately need a change even if for a season in their lives. California, Colorado, Florida, Oregon, etc... all represent a place of new beginnings for many Americans. Of course no place is perfect and we all know CA has its share of problems as do other states. The biggest deterant for CA will be the cost of admission.

Derek

[majoun]

Originally Posted by DowntownVentura

Gee biased much?

Given that I'm from SoCal originally, recently moved back to SoCal, and usually defend the good aspects of SoCal, I don't consider myself to have biases.

SoCal has many wonderful aspects in many different ways. However I would NOT recommend SoCal for raising a family. I wouldn't recommend the neighborhood I live in to raise a family, even though I generally like it. SoCal has positives. However it is not for families.

There are many wonderful places to raise kids in Northern California. The Monterey Peninsula is hardly the only one. It is just the furthest south of them.

[Mr5150]

Originally Posted by MtnSurfer

Well, it's the thing that dreams and Hollywood are made. But with a readjustment of expectations it doesn't mean they couldn't make a life for themselves out here. It sounds like they definately need a change even if for a season in their lives. California, Colorado, Florida, Oregon, etc... all represent a place of new beginnings for many Americans. Of course no place is perfect and we all know CA has its share of problems as do other states. The biggest deterant for CA will be the cost of admission.

Derek

It is funny how so many people base their view of CA on Hollywood's portrayal. Where I live we get snow (lots this year), there are no palm trees, no ocean beaches, no smog and practically no crime. I live in California.

Fortunaly the cost of admission has dropped quite a bit. I just read that the median home price in my neck of the Sierras is now $160K. I think if you don't mind living away from the urban areas housing is now quite reasonable

Originally Posted by Brenda-by-the-sea

Actually it's the teacher who's female in this case:



How easily we make assumptions about gender roles in occupations!

Funny. Both teachers and nurses tend to be feamale.

[neekamichelle]

I used to live in california 24 years ago. I am originally from oregon so there was au
tomatically a huge difference in the cost of living, not to mention I lived in santa barbara. That's when a studio apartment was about a grand a month to rent. I had the pleasure of seeing john travolta hanging out the back window of a limousine waving his arms around. It was absolutely beautiful there. East beach (the long beach with the row of palm trees) was an awesome place to go. Like I said housing was outrageous, the city water was less than desirable. it is my opinion that if you have big bucks, and desires the" palm tree scene", santa barbara is where you need to be. Awesome place!!

[neekamichelle]

Oh, by the way...what I saw of Hollywood was less than impressive. There was garbage in the street and it reminded me of an old commercial subdivisionin a small town. I don't know what part of Hollywood we were in but from what I saw, it isn't what it's cracked up to be.

[the city]

Maybe South Orange County? Most jobs for teachers are going to be near large cities. A suburb of San Diego. Maybe Sonoma county up north and commute to where's there a job. Maybe suburbs of Oakland.

[pacific2]

South Orange County is nice, safe, family-friendly and ocean-close, with plenty of hospitals, but it would be very difficult to find a teaching job here due to layoffs, and their budget would only allow for a townhouse (lots of people like them), not a SFR. Also, some people are put off by the look-alike new construction found in much of the area, but if you can get past that visual, then it’s a very nice place to live. Lake Forest would be a possibility if both partners could find good paying jobs.

San Diego County is another place to explore.

[the city]

Originally Posted by pacific2

South Orange County is nice, safe, family-friendly and ocean-close, with plenty of hospitals, but it would be very difficult to find a teaching job here due to layoffs, and their budget would only allow for a townhouse (lots of people like them), not a SFR. Also, some people are put off by the look-alike new construction found in much of the area, but if you can get past that visual, then it’s a very nice place to live. Lake Forest would be a possibility if both partners could find good paying jobs.

San Diego County is another place to explore.

Yes there are lay offs, but you have a better chance. And she could perhaps commute to maybe some place that has an opening.

[sjnative]

I don't see why CA is the only conceivable state in the Union for a fresh start.

Someone care to clue me in?