California is the state with the most "fun places to live" (Los Angeles: condo, living)

[Screenwriter70]

Originally Posted by SoCal_Native View Post
At least in Texas you don't have to worry about mountains.

No mountains is one reason I wouldn't live in Texas.

[aslowdodge]

Originally Posted by Screenwriter70

I'm jealous of you Californians. NC is nowhere near as fun & interesting - plus the weather stinks. I was hoping to move this month but we've had to push our relocation off till September since it looks like we're going to stay with relatives in Palm Springs (right now it's simply too hot to deal with a cross country drive lol). I can't wait to see Yosemite!

You don’t have ac? The cc drive isn’t to tough. I’ve done it multiple times from the Bay Area to Atlanta. Besides Yosemite there will be a ton of cool places to see. California as a state has the most variety in geography.

[NW4me]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

I'm happy to report, that there's a good Chinese restaurant in Arvin.

And there's a good Salvadoran/Mexican restaurant in Buttonwillow on I-5: Tita's Pupuseria.
There's also an Indian restaurant at the same exit... but it's only so-so.

Does anyone know the next spot (when going north on 5) where decent food can be found?

[Dane_in_LA]

Putting Los Angeles as just one option is kinda restricting - there are entire states with less variety. South Bay Los Angeles for the beach, and the sailing. Downtown LA is increasingly awesome.

Outside LA:

Ojai. I could so live there. A colossal outdoor bookstore?

Some of the weird little canyon enclaves in the Santa Monica mountains. Topanga is one.

[Kevroqs]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

San Diego (ranked #1)

San Francisco (#2)

Los Angeles (#7)

Santa Rosa (#10)

You need a high salary or lots of money in your bank account to own a home in those places because cost of living is so high

[RosieSD]

Originally Posted by Kevroqs

You need a high salary or lots of money in your bank account to own a home in those places because cost of living is so high

Agree. But cost of living was factored into US News & World Report's methodology for the original list.

Yet, those cities still had enough other factors (based on the methodology used to define "a fun place to live") to make the list.

So, I guess the conclusion is that a low cost of living doesn't always translate into more fun things to do.

(As a personal aside, I live near San Diego. Housing is certainly expensive here, but I can find something fun to do here for FREE 30 days out of every month. In the months with 31 days, I take a long nap on the extra day. )

[Bill the Butcher]

Originally Posted by nobodysbusiness

OMG. Fresno?

Actually, I'm glad to see Fresno make the list. An outdoor enthusiast that also wants to live in a legitimate large city should seriously consider Fresno. Fresno is so such an easy and short drive to so many great areas of the Sierra Nevada.

Save Mart center regularly draws some huge names in entertainment. And Fresno State athletics is pretty good. I'd even say probably more of a draw and better athletes than similar programs like San Jose State or San Diego State despite those programs being in larger cities.

[Bill the Butcher]

Originally Posted by Tulemutt

Has anyone suggested Arvin yet? Or Crescent City?

(Great thread Rosie! )

I hear Lamont is the new place to be. Arvin is so 2005.

[Bill the Butcher]

If you are asking me to put in a serious vote I might go with Long Beach. There are some really nice parts of Long Beach. Cool downtown area. Plus Belmont Shores right there. And great weather goes without saying.

[pacific2]

Originally Posted by RosieSD

(As a personal aside, I live near San Diego. Housing is certainly expensive here, but I can find something fun to do here for FREE 30 days out of every month. In the months with 31 days, I take a long nap on the extra day. )