When People Leave Los Angeles, Where Do They Go? (San Diego: renting, place to live)

[freesiia]

I currently live in Hawthorne CA. Lived here since my parents transplanted us from Illinois back in 1977. My husband is a Southern CA native, and even the mention of leaving CA for the "outer limits" was enough to start a fight. But last year that all changed. Our house (4 bdrm 3 bath with no yard for $550K) basically lost all its equity with the market drop. We can sell it for what we paid for it.

Last year a close relative passed away and left me some inheritance. With that and the house situation, husband has finally relented and agreed we need to take this opportunity to pay cash for a home outside of CA. Thankfully his job can be done anywhere as long as a major Airport is within driving distance. And my job will be to find one once we've settled.

I'm looking at Arizona - its close enough to CA that my children can drive to see me or visa versa. I can buy 2 - 5 acres of property, a 2500 sq ft home with a YARD!!! Now I understand that yard may be a bit sandy,,, but hey, I can get on a horse and ride, I can play on an ATV. I can have a couple chickens, a cow, a raised bed garden or whatever else I can think of. Since my mortgage will be paid in full, I can afford to be a "kept woman" for a bit.

Here's to leaving LA... I don't hate it, I'll miss it for the people who live in it. I won't miss the god awful traffic, the gut ache I get the moment I get on the North bound 110 at 8:00 AM. Yeah, I won't miss that at all.

[Truth in Kind]

My fellow Californians, if you are considering moving to Atlanta, think again. I find that many Atlantans harbor an unfounded resentment and preconceived notion of us that makes it difficult to communicate. Buying property here is cheaper, but it may cost you quality of life, which we prize. If you are absolutely intent on moving here, I suggest staying in the city proper (Downtown, Midtown, Buckhead). But in all truth, move elsewhere. There are just too many cultural differences.
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Originally Posted by AliveandWell

A person I know moved out from L.A. to a suburb just outside Atlanta and bought a 6 bedroom house. I don't know what the price was but I'd imagine it would be MUCH less than a similar place here.

[Truth in Kind]

Is Denver still a good place to live? I moved from California to the Southeast a while ago and am looking to move back to the West(ern) Coast. I've considered moving back to California, but will more than likely move to a neighborning state. Knowing what I know now about cultural differences, I'm looking not only at the numbers, but also seeking a cultural fit. Is there true diversity? Easy to make friends and acquaintances? Is there a mixture of singles as well as families? Is there water (oh, how I miss the water!!)? I'd love to hear your perspective about Denver and/or other places you've heard about. Thanks.

Originally Posted by majoun

Because Denver (as well as Las Vegas and Portland) still have respect for personal freedom unlike any large California cities with the possible exception of San Jose - and definitely have more respect for personal freedom than anywhere in SoCal

[weldingfireman]

they move to northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. and people like me are trying to move to Ca. funny huh!

[Creek Hollow]

Q: When People Leave Los Angeles, Where Do They Go?

A: Back to America.

[newscruzer1]

For a quick get away and a nice drive of about 180 miles, they head north towards Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo Counties, driving Hwy.101 the coast highway, after you get into Oxnard, Ventura,you get views of the pacific ocean.
When you pass Santa Barbara and aproch Pismo Beach you have many choices to choose from.
beach cities,Grover Beach, Pismo beach, shell beach, Aliva and then along hwy 1 there is Morro bay, from there, cayucos, Cambria and San Simion, all are really great get aways.
from the cost you can swing inland along Hwy. 46 east into paso Robles, wine country, or Hwy 41 into Atascadero.
If you go from Morro bay through 41, be sure to stop in at the Last Stage West about 8mi. from Morro bay towards Atascadeo.
For a great afternoon, or a couples days get away, these areas are prime.
Hope this helps

[TurcoLoco]

Originally Posted by weldingfireman

they move to northern New Mexico and southern Colorado. and people like me are trying to move to Ca. funny huh!

It sounds funny but it is not. Some people do it due to financial reasons, others do it to be close to family or for a better job (in this job market it is probably more like 'a job opportunity'). Traffic and abundant number of people aka being crowded could bother some to the point of relocating.
I know some people who wouldn't move back to So Cal (LA area) even if you gave them a free house to live in. I, on the other hand, live pretty much paycheck-to-paycheck and rent but enjoy living here.

Who knows where I will be in a year or two but for now this is where I rather be. When my priorities and desires change so might where I choose to roam.

By time, most people forget the bad, annoying stuff about a place they left then they decide to go back only to realize why they left in the first place.
I guess what i am trying to say is, it is OK to relocate, it might be even a wise move but just do it for the right reasons.

There is at least one more relocation I will go through (death), I just hope it is somewhere where the women are less materialistic and down-to-Earth (uh the irony!).

[SoonerGirl67]

As far as I'm concerned, you people who elected liberal wacko representatives who, in turn, drove your state into the ground should have to stay there and live with what YOU DID. Stop going to places like Texas and Oklahoma, which are traditionally conservative states and trying to elect the same types of people that messed up California. WE DON'T WANT YOUR LIBERALISM IN THIS PART OF THE COUNTRY and Texas certainly doesn't need to be driven into the ground, which is what you leftist wackos are sure to do to it. So stay where you are and live with your decisions.

[SeptemberRays]

Originally Posted by SoonerGirl67

As far as I'm concerned, you people who elected liberal wacko representatives who, in turn, drove your state into the ground should have to stay there and live with what YOU DID. Stop going to places like Texas and Oklahoma, which are traditionally conservative states and trying to elect the same types of people that messed up California. WE DON'T WANT YOUR LIBERALISM IN THIS PART OF THE COUNTRY and Texas certainly doesn't need to be driven into the ground, which is what you leftist wackos are sure to do to it. So stay where you are and live with your decisions.

Excuse me but in America people have the right to live wherever they please AND vote for whomever they wish.

[AliveandWell]

I must say that I agree with the poster above me that we all have a right to live where we want to and vote for who we wish. Las Vegas NV is the place that many people relocate to as well. I have a few cousins that moved there several years ago when they left LA.