To heck with unemployment rates - where's the most affordable, beautiful part of coastal CA? (San Diego: apartments)

[WestCoastDreamer]

Hi,

Hopefully in the next couple of years I will establish myself enough in my new field (writing/editing) that I won't have to be tied to a certain locality for my job. And I want very much to move to California. So tell me: where is the most affordable, family-friendly, beautiful part of coastal California? I should add that we're looking to spend maybe around $300,000 for a single family home. And there must be good schools for our youngins.

Thanks for any help you can provide!

[WestCoastDreamer]

Perhaps one doesn't exist?

[clongirl]

Originally Posted by WestCoastDreamer

Perhaps one doesn't exist?

Oh they exist, just don't expect to buy a house with your budget (think triple that amount). You can certainly rent though.

Are you dreaming of Northern California or Southern California?

[jeffredo]

Its a two part answer. Most affordable - Salinas. Home prices have dropped tremendously there since the bubble burst. Most beautiful - Monterey Peninsula down to Big Sur. Fortunately they're within 30 - 45 minutes of each other in the same county.

[Charles]

I don't know too much about CA coast north of Santa Barbara. But for areas south of Santa Barbara and north of San Diego these areas might have housing in that price range and I'll throw a few places in there that aren't necessarily beautiful but most have OK to good schools. All are within 20 minutes of the beach.


Ventura
Dana Point
San Juan Capistrano
Carlsbad/Oceanside/Vista
Los Alamitos
Camarillo

[TimC2462]

Have to agree with Jeffredo.... Most folks I grew up with while living in the Monterey area have moved inland to Salinas where it is more affordable, but don't want to leave the area.

[WestCoastDreamer]

Originally Posted by clongirl

Oh they exist, just don't expect to buy a house with your budget (think triple that amount). You can certainly rent though.

Are you dreaming of Northern California or Southern California?

Probably NoCal, since it sounds like most of SoCal is totally out of my price range unless I live in the blazing desert.

[WestCoastDreamer]

Thanks, everybody. Your suggestions are helpful.

[uncertain25]

I live in SoCal and I'm looking to move to NorCal myself. SoCal has many warm sunny areas that are safe with decent schools and very family friendly. However you have to make a lot of money to live comfortably here. Like a Lawyer who is married to a Doctor could afford a nice beach place. Other than that apartments and homes are overpriced and the closer to the water the more outrageous and unaffordable they are. I live in an expensive area now, still not close enough to enjoy a beach breeze. Its blazing hot in the summer IMO with days over 90 and 100, although we also have days in the 80's in summer too. Someone mentioned Carlsbad, which isnt cheap either, but that is also a lovely area. It reminds me of Irvine CA + the beach. My vote would be for Carmel-Big Sur-Monterey based on the beauty of the coast. But I'm not saying that its going to be cheap either.

[PACA]

I wouldn't know about nor-nor-cal, like Eureka or Crescent City, but NorCal is anything but cheap, unless you mean Stockton. It's funny how I knew that clongirl here was from the Bay area just by reding her post. In stark contrast, yes, you can find homes for your budget in SoCal, and likely even more so in two years if things continue the way they are.