Moving to California from the Southeast. (Los Angeles, San Francisco: apartment, to rent, loft)

[lvnglf2fulst]

Hello all, it looks likely I will be relocating from the Southeast to California in the next 5 months. As such, I was hoping for some guidance in finding an area to rent ($1500 would be awesome-$2500 is my max).

Background:
-27
-Male
-Single
-Young Professional (think more jeans, less suit)-managerial/executive

While, I like Santa Barbara, I believe Northern California is more my flavor. Coming from the South, I like open spaces within reach of a large city (or visa versa). I prefer an established area (historic) vs. planned community. Hobbies include, running/biking, food (restaurants and farmers markets), travel (which I do a lot both personal/professional), cultural events/college lectures/museums. I would prefer a loft scenario in a building with fewer units opposed to an apartment city.

To clarify the above:
Open Spaces:
-parks, protected areas, national/state parks
-mountains/hills, trees, lakes/rivers

Large Cities:
-walk able city (Washington DC) opposed to a sprawling city (Atlanta)

I lived in Washington, DC-Old Town Alexandria (would have preferred Georgetown), which is the best example of all the above. Large city near Blue Ridge Mountains, Old Town/Georgetown are historic areas, plenty of running, restaurants, colleges, museums. To be clear I like college towns for the cultural events they bring to town, not undergrads going crazy (that time has come and gone

On a few Google searches, I discovered the below cities in articles. They all may be a bust, but if one stands out feel free to comment. Aptos, Benicia, Mill Valley, Petaluma, Saratoga, Folsom, Livermore, Clayton, El Dorado Hills, Granite Bay, Roseville, Sunnyvale, Rocklin, Pleasanton.

Woo, I know the above is a lot, but hopefully it helps to paint a decent picture. Let me thank everyone in advance.

[wburg]

Most of the places you listed are small suburbs--some aren't even incorporated cities. I don't think any are college towns. What population do you consider a "large city"? If you're looking for something more like Washington DC in terms of density, the only place you will find it in California is in San Francisco, downtown Los Angeles or maybe some of the denser parts of the East Bay. Sacramento is more like Atlanta in size and density.

What are you expecting to rent for $1500-2500? That range will get you a big house in a nice neighborhood in some parts of northern California, or a medium-sized apartment in a not-so-bad part of town in other parts.

[caligirlz]

I can't speak about Washington DC, but many of the qualities you are looking for are found in the Sacramento region which includes some of the cities you mentioned (Folsom, El Dorado Hills, Granite Bay, Roseville, Rocklin).

• open spaces within reach of a large city - Sacramento is frequently mentioned as being centrally located between the bay area & the sierras/lake Tahoe
• an established area (historic) vs. planned community - the historic areas are primarily in the central city - midtown/downtown, while the planned communities are in the suburbs. Even many of the suburbs, like Folsom, have thriving historic areas.
• running/biking - American River Parkway
• food (restaurants and farmers markets) - a large variety of restaurants are available throughout Sacramento region. Some would say the more unique restaurants are located in the central city. We have some great Farmer's Markets.
• travel (which I do a lot both personal/professional) - Sacramento is centrally located, plus we have our own airport, or you could always fly out of SF or Oakland if desired
• cultural events/college lectures/museums - we've got several museums, several colleges (UC Davis, Sac State, a multiple junior colleges)
• a loft scenario in a building - those would be found in midtown/downtown
• rent range - easily can be found in Sacramento

[u225615]

Originally Posted by lvnglf2fulst

Hello all, it looks likely I will be relocating from the Southeast to California in the next 5 months. As such, I was hoping for some guidance in finding an area to rent ($1500 would be awesome-$2500 is my max).

Background:
-27
-Male
-Single
-Young Professional (think more jeans, less suit)-managerial/executive

While, I like Santa Barbara, I believe Northern California is more my flavor. Coming from the South, I like open spaces within reach of a large city (or visa versa). I prefer an established area (historic) vs. planned community. Hobbies include, running/biking, food (restaurants and farmers markets), travel (which I do a lot both personal/professional), cultural events/college lectures/museums. I would prefer a loft scenario in a building with fewer units opposed to an apartment city.

To clarify the above:
Open Spaces:
-parks, protected areas, national/state parks
-mountains/hills, trees, lakes/rivers

Large Cities:
-walk able city (Washington DC) opposed to a sprawling city (Atlanta)

I lived in Washington, DC-Old Town Alexandria (would have preferred Georgetown), which is the best example of all the above. Large city near Blue Ridge Mountains, Old Town/Georgetown are historic areas, plenty of running, restaurants, colleges, museums. To be clear I like college towns for the cultural events they bring to town, not undergrads going crazy (that time has come and gone

On a few Google searches, I discovered the below cities in articles. They all may be a bust, but if one stands out feel free to comment. Aptos, Benicia, Mill Valley, Petaluma, Saratoga, Folsom, Livermore, Clayton, El Dorado Hills, Granite Bay, Roseville, Sunnyvale, Rocklin, Pleasanton.

Woo, I know the above is a lot, but hopefully it helps to paint a decent picture. Let me thank everyone in advance.

Of all the places listed in your Google searches (El Dorado Hills, Folsom, Livermore, etc) I'd recommend Mill Valley. You have access to beaches (Stinson Beach), Mount Tamalpais, Muirwoods/Redwoods, Angel Island. Easy access across the Golden Gate Bridge to San Francisco where you have no less than three universities (UCSF, SFSU, USF) and cultural activities/museums/symphony/opera as well as fine dining and a farmers market in SF at the Ferry Building.

The other places you mention IMO are for families (although singles who grew up in those areas may disagree) but for someone like yourself familiar with places like Georgetown, Washington DC, I think Mill Valley strikes a good balance due to its proximity to SF and protected areas.

[shelato]

From what you said, it sounds like somewhere in the bay area is probably your best bet.

[nissantwa]

Of your picks and for your budget, probably not Saratoga, Aptos, or pretty much anywhere in the San Francisco Bay Peninsula. Although 2,500 per month will get you a decent apartment, it wouldn't be wide open spaces, that's for sure. Check the city profile of anyplace you pick & check crime rates etc . California is like a box of Chocolates.

[ryuns]

Do you have a job lined up anywhere?

[bluevelo]

I would not move here, unless the social conservatism of the South is driving you nuts. You pay a lot for not much here compared to the rest of the country.