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Im born and raised in California. Spend half my life in LA and Long Beach and the other half in the OC suburbs. There is a lot of good about CA. Great views, pretty good weather, beaches, sunsets, palm trees. But Im ready for a new chapter in my life. 3 years ago I got laid off from my high paying job that I had been at for 8 years. I havent found something that pays us much or that I like as much since. Its very expensive where I live so I had to downgrade my living situation drastically. A one bedroom apartment in a safe area here is $1700/month. If you move to the Desert area of CA where the weather is much hotter and crime is higher you can get a one bedroom for $1200-$1300. But I dont like really hot weather. I also got divorced last year from a 7 year marriage. Im feeling like this is a good time to start over new. Ive reached out on this forum to a few states I thought would be a good fit but you often get the negative "dont come here" from the people who dont want any new comers. So I thought I would see if anyone else had any suggestions for me. What do you think could be a good fit? Based on....
Im 32 and single, white, straight, female. No kids. 2 cats. Love living in the suburbs for how safe and clean it is. But also love the nature of rural areas. Love animals, photography, hiking, camping, walks at the lake or beach. Love being in the sunshine, but dont like really hot weather. Anything above 75 and Im sweating. I stay inside with the A/C on when its in the 80s and 90s. Fall is my favorite, but it still has too many warm days in California, IMO. I love volunteering at the animal shelter. I love most outdoor activities (If there is no bugs biting me- I hate bugs... its a non issue in CA). I have 15+ years of management expereince in customer service, both office and retail. I have tattoos, a lot of them. So its important not to be around stuck up people who think they are better than those who have visible ink. Im very laid back. I get along with most people. I do have political views but I dont force mine on anyone else. Im non denominational christian. I love church. But Im from a church where you can wear jeans or sweats and no one cares. Very mellow, non jugdemental. Im friendly and would love to make some new friends, but Im also fine exploring and do things on my own. Im a vegetarian. I dont eat meat, fish, hunt, wear fur. I do support animals rights. Based on that info.... is there a city / state that might be a good fit for me outside of CA???
Location: Live:Downtown Phoenix, AZ/Work:Greater Los Angeles, CA
27,606 posts, read 14,619,501 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shellysocal
Im born and raised in California. Spend half my life in LA and Long Beach and the other half in the OC suburbs. There is a lot of good about CA. Great views, pretty good weather, beaches, sunsets, palm trees. But Im ready for a new chapter in my life. 3 years ago I got laid off from my high paying job that I had been at for 8 years. I havent found something that pays us much or that I like as much since. Its very expensive where I live so I had to downgrade my living situation drastically. A one bedroom apartment in a safe area here is $1700/month. If you move to the Desert area of CA where the weather is much hotter and crime is higher you can get a one bedroom for $1200-$1300. But I dont like really hot weather. I also got divorced last year from a 7 year marriage. Im feeling like this is a good time to start over new. Ive reached out on this forum to a few states I thought would be a good fit but you often get the negative "dont come here" from the people who dont want any new comers. So I thought I would see if anyone else had any suggestions for me. What do you think could be a good fit? Based on....
Im 32 and single, white, straight, female. No kids. 2 cats. Love living in the suburbs for how safe and clean it is. But also love the nature of rural areas. Love animals, photography, hiking, camping, walks at the lake or beach. Love being in the sunshine, but dont like really hot weather. Anything above 75 and Im sweating. I stay inside with the A/C on when its in the 80s and 90s. Fall is my favorite, but it still has too many warm days in California, IMO. I love volunteering at the animal shelter. I love most outdoor activities (If there is no bugs biting me- I hate bugs... its a non issue in CA). I have 15+ years of management expereince in customer service, both office and retail. I have tattoos, a lot of them. So its important not to be around stuck up people who think they are better than those who have visible ink. Im very laid back. I get along with most people. I do have political views but I dont force mine on anyone else. Im non denominational christian. I love church. But Im from a church where you can wear jeans or sweats and no one cares. Very mellow, non jugdemental. Im friendly and would love to make some new friends, but Im also fine exploring and do things on my own. Im a vegetarian. I dont eat meat, fish, hunt, wear fur. I do support animals rights. Based on that info.... is there a city / state that might be a good fit for me outside of CA???
Move away, just so you will realize how much you love CA. Then, come back and be grateful and ready to put up with the downsides, in order to enjoy what you can't find anywhere else.
we almost moved to a little town near Eureka (California) called Blue Lake, about 20 years ago- its was 5 miles inland from the coast so was significantly sunnier, its probably more developed, but still sleepy....
I am just saying, California is a big state, look at all your options first before moving
( I miss my big, liberal, live and let live state).
It's funny. I just recently moved from a really poor, remote area of CA back to the SF Bay Area. And sooo glad to be back. But, I needed some butter today, and even at the discount places, they were asking a dollar more per pound! The nerve! LOL. I'll get over it.
Thanks to those who mentioned OR and CO. Those are 2 out of the 3 places on my list that Im seriously considering and researching currently. For those saying stay in CA.... trust me I love CA. Staying is NOT an option. All my friends and family have moved away due to how overpriced it is. And I cant buy a home let alone afford a nice apartment here. San Fran has the weather I love so if I could afford that life I would be considering it. And yes I have moved out of state before, twice, (to Texas and Washington) so I do know what life outside of CA is like. No place is perfect. Its either too hot, too cold, too many bugs, too many days with dark skies.... and so on. But Im not going to spend $800K to have a house. Its not happening. Im not spending more than $300K for a home. Denver CO and Asheville NC can fit within the budget, along with certain cities in OR. Im not a fan of Portland (yes Ive been there) but the rural and suburb areas are nice. Keep the suggestions coming though. Unless your planning on paying my bills though, no need to suggest staying in Cali!
Thanks to those who mentioned OR and CO. Those are 2 out of the 3 places on my list that Im seriously considering and researching currently. For those saying stay in CA.... trust me I love CA. Staying is NOT an option. All my friends and family have moved away due to how overpriced it is. And I cant buy a home let alone afford a nice apartment here. San Fran has the weather I love so if I could afford that life I would be considering it. And yes I have moved out of state before, twice, (to Texas and Washington) so I do know what life outside of CA is like. No place is perfect. Its either too hot, too cold, too many bugs, too many days with dark skies.... and so on. But Im not going to spend $800K to have a house. Its not happening. Im not spending more than $300K for a home. Denver CO and Asheville NC can fit within the budget, along with certain cities in OR. Im not a fan of Portland (yes Ive been there) but the rural and suburb areas are nice. Keep the suggestions coming though. Unless your planning on paying my bills though, no need to suggest staying in Cali!
Forgive me. Please.
I'm quite sure you can find somewhere with great homes for $300K and great jobs, too. And you won't mind the weather or the bugs in order to keep them.
we almost moved to a little town near eureka (california) called blue lake, about 20 years ago- its was 5 miles inland from the coast so was significantly sunnier, its probably more developed, but still sleepy....
I am just saying, california is a big state, look at all your options first before moving
( i miss my big, liberal,live and let live state).
Move away, just so you will realize how much you love CA. Then, come back and be grateful and ready to put up with the downsides, in order to enjoy what you can't find anywhere else.
Ask me how I know this :-)
Yeah, it certainly does seem more difficult for California natives to adjust to living elsewhere. I think it can be equally difficult for non-natives to adjust to living in California. I lived in SoCal for four years and was over it so I moved away. I recently went back to San Diego for the first time in another four years, and I remember the first day I was like OMG why did I ever leave? By the last day, I remembered exactly why and was happy to hop on that plane. I do think where you grow up can have a big impact on what you are comfortable with, whether that be in regards to climate or anything else.
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