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Old 02-09-2013, 12:10 AM
 
4 posts, read 6,033 times
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So here is my situation. I am 23 years old and have lived in Michigan my whole life. I just graduated college and landed a job with a large company based in Michigan but the position (typically 1-3 years) is in California. I see it as a great opportunity/adventure to see a different part of the country and California seems like a great place to stay for a couple years. For the job I will be traveling 75% of the time throughout the whole state going to retail stores, participating in events, etc. so I won't be home all that much but when I am home I want a place where I can get to know people and have something to look forward to. With that in mind I am trying to figure out where the best place to live is. Due to travel I have narrowed it down to Central California so it won't be too far from the major cities (SD, SF, LA, etc). Right now I am kind of looking at North LA, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo. Ideally I want a city where an outsider can come in and feel at home. Where there is a young population, nightlife, and lots of activities. I am kind of thinking that I will just try to find a room share in one of the cities with other young professionals and hoping to keep rent $1000 or lower. Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated!
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Old 02-09-2013, 12:15 AM
 
6,802 posts, read 6,209,999 times
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How will you be traveling across the state?
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Old 02-09-2013, 12:17 AM
 
4 posts, read 6,033 times
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By car. I will be getting reimbursed for every mile I drive.
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Old 02-09-2013, 12:29 AM
 
6,802 posts, read 6,209,999 times
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Originally Posted by MItoCA11 View Post
By car. I will be getting reimbursed for every mile I drive.
SLO works then. Mid-state.
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Old 02-09-2013, 11:43 AM
 
Location: TOVCCA
8,452 posts, read 14,138,126 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MItoCA11 View Post
I am kind of looking at North LA, Santa Barbara, and San Luis Obispo.
Gosh, you skipped over a whole County---Ventura.
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Old 02-09-2013, 12:33 PM
 
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San Luis Obispo is a terrible choice for someone who has to travel all over the state. Note that it is not close to the 5 freeway and you will be on the slower 101 freeway to go anywhere. An ideal location would be somewhere like Glendale, Burbank or Pasadena. This would provide an easy exit of the LA metro to the north to go to the SF area on the 5 freeway. You could get to San Diego easily by taking the 210 to the 15 route and bypass the worst LA/OC traffic jams. And of course you would be right in LA where statistically most of your business would be since LA has the highest population.
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Old 02-09-2013, 12:36 PM
 
Location: SW MO
23,594 posts, read 35,578,134 times
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MI to CA? Put on your party hat!
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Old 02-10-2013, 03:19 PM
 
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Thanks for all the info! I wasn't necessarily skipping Ventura county if you have suggestions for that area. Those were just 3 of the cities that came to my mind. As far as Pasadena goes, how is the atmosphere there? Is it mostly younger people, is there any nightlife, is there a lot of recreational things to do?
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Old 02-10-2013, 03:27 PM
 
Location: Near L.A.
4,111 posts, read 10,323,875 times
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If the majority of your work will gravitate toward Southern California, then look toward the southern part of the Central Coast. Basically, everything from Oxnard to Paso Robles. The more your work is in the south, the farther south (toward Oxnard) I'd look.

If the majority of your work will gravitate toward Northern California, then look toward the northern part of the Central Coast. Basically, everything from Paso Robles to Santa Cruz. The more your work is in the north, the farther north (toward Santa Cruz) I'd look.
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Old 02-10-2013, 03:31 PM
 
Location: Spokane, WA
231 posts, read 558,581 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MItoCA11 View Post
Thanks for all the info! I wasn't necessarily skipping Ventura county if you have suggestions for that area. Those were just 3 of the cities that came to my mind. As far as Pasadena goes, how is the atmosphere there? Is it mostly younger people, is there any nightlife, is there a lot of recreational things to do?
Pasadena has the Rose Bowl swap meet. My step daughter loves it. She is 30 years old and into vintage clothing and western swing music(rockabilly).
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