Moving From NJ to Sunny California!!!!!!!!!!

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by In2itive_1

Just to mention, in my apartment building (in the outskirts of L. A. in the San Fernando Valley), there have begun being lizards in the courtyard and they move fast. It makes me nuts, because I fear having one enter the apartment (and I have a cat). When I brought it up to the manager, she said, "well, I wouldn't want to kill them.." Great. I suppose she'll come down here and remove it if it happens. We have a lot of foliage that gardeners maintain and think they began this because the lizards will eat insects, but I don't like it and have seen them - anywhere from a few inches long on the cement to one seemingly TWO FEET long on an outside wall! I just bring up, because this could occur elsewhere. Just ask when interested in a place, if they have lizards on the grounds. (I am going to research if I can deter them from my unit).

As said, it would be good to be aware of everything prior to moving. Overall, the weather is good. Just know, it can be HOT for about 5 months yearly and are having a drought. Many vicinities are great, people are diverse and friendly with many places to visit and should have work opportunities.

Good luck.

Good idea to mention the lizards. I could see how someone who is uncomfortable with snakes might be surprised by the lizards in California. More than once, I've also seen a lizard with a long tail darting about and had a first reaction of it being a snake.

In case the original poster's aunt has never seen a lizard, here are some photos of what they look like here in California: Identifying California Lizards

But, good luck finding a place in California that doesn't have any lizards. There are crazy numbers of lizards living in California and they are in just about every part of California! These maps show the ranges of all of the different lizard types in California: California Lizards Range Maps

Whenever lizards have gotten into my house (maybe 3 times in the last 30 years), they have mostly scampered right back out as soon as they see my dogs. The UC Agriculture website has some tips on what to do if a lizard should get into your home that you might want to read, just in case your landlady isn't around if one does get in. http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74120.html Although I must admit that their suggestion to use a "noose" on a fishing rod to catch a lizard that is running around your house made me laugh.

If lizards make you really uncomfortable, perhaps look for an apartment on a high floor of a high rise?

However, I do think that it is good that you mentioned them. The original poster's aunt is far more likely to see lizards (in some places lots of them) than snakes here. As I said, I could see how someone with a fear of snakes might be startled by the lizards.

[RosieSD]

I just found a similar site to the lizard one. It has a series of maps showing where different types of snakes live in California. I though it might be useful to the original poster and her aunt so I am posting the link here:

California Snakes Range Maps

Again, the sidewalks aren't covered with snakes here, and most people will never see a snake, so it shouldn't be a reason not to move here. But if you are looking for somewhere in California where there are absolutely no snakes at all, you won't find it, as the maps show.

I must admit I was a little surprised myself by how many different types of snakes live in California, and how widespread their ranges are.

[expatCA]

Why be afraid of lizards??? I used to catch and play with them as a kid and never were hurt. Yes, having them in the house is something I would not want, but getting them out is pretty easy. I would worry far more about mosquitoes, though with the "drought" they are a lesser problem than in the past.

[In2itive_1]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

Good idea to mention the lizards. I could see how someone who is uncomfortable with snakes might be surprised by the lizards in California. More than once, I've also seen a lizard with a long tail darting about and had a first reaction of it being a snake.

In case the original poster's aunt has never seen a lizard, here are some photos of what they look like here in California: Identifying California Lizards

But, good luck finding a place in California that doesn't have any lizards. There are crazy numbers of lizards living in California and they are in just about every part of California! These maps show the ranges of all of the different lizard types in California: California Lizards Range Maps

Whenever lizards have gotten into my house (maybe 3 times in the last 30 years), they have mostly scampered right back out as soon as they see my dogs. The UC Agriculture website has some tips on what to do if a lizard should get into your home that you might want to read, just in case your landlady isn't around if one does get in. Lizards Management Guidelines--UC IPM Although I must admit that their suggestion to use a "noose" on a fishing rod to catch a lizard that is running around your house made me laugh.

If lizards make you really uncomfortable, perhaps look for an apartment on a high floor of a high rise?

However, I do think that it is good that you mentioned them. The original poster's aunt is far more likely to see lizards (in some places lots of them) than snakes here. As I said, I could see how someone with a fear of snakes might be startled by the lizards.

Thanks and I appreciate you getting the info for all who are concerned. Yeah, it would likely be better to be up high, but I am not wanting to live in a High Rise at this time of my life, either. This does freak me out, though. I am not going to buy a fishing rod to chase a lizard with...and there are places it could hide, too.. eewwww.. I don't want to think about it. There must be deterrents, it seems. I haven't looked at that article yet or done research. (Gosh, I hope this won't entirely sway the OP and aunt from moving).

[OwlKaMyst]

What one will mostly see as goes lizards, are the cute little blue bellies. Extremely docile. Now it is the alligator lizard that is the 'nasty' one. But those are not seen as often as they like to hide.

Ultimately - do t worry about the snakes or lizards. It's the humans in their cars with thier cell phones that are late for work that are more of a danger.