Grass Valley vs Paradise vs Solvang (San Jose, San Francisco: apartment complex, crime rate, subsidized)

[sourdough]

Is there a courtyard in Solvang? I know Fair Oaks, air quality?

[redhummingbird]

Originally Posted by sourdough

Is there a courtyard in Solvang? I know Fair Oaks, air quality?

There might be. The apartments are brand new. They haven't opened yet. The woman who has been responsible for filling the units doesn't know anything about the apartments. Trying to get info (such as outdoor space) has been like pulling teeth. I don't even know what unit I've been assigned to. It's a strange experience but then I haven't lived in an apt for so long I have no idea how the process works anymore.

I keep forgetting the air quality in this whole area isn't very good. I also compared cities on one website. Solvang scores higher in terms of comfort index which apparently measure humidity in the summer. I'm pretty sensitive to mold so a drier climate is better in terms of water damaged buildings.

[tikkasf]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_O...r_Oaks,_CA.JPG


Image Map A2


Redh, Assuming Fair Oaks is not that far from you, perhaps you could take a afternoon excursion to see the apt and neighborhood in person. I no nothing of the area. One positive thing could be if the apt was not far from a light rail stop. You could then occasionally visit the downtown Sacramento area.....relax in Old Soul

[tikkasf]

Redh, I suggest taking a look at the Fair Oaks apt, depending on what you see, you can then plan on a Solvang trip. I would not plan on taking the train, it looks like no direct train service, that means a bus transfer. It's likely a all day trip with the transfers included, with that in mind, you may need to rent a motel room two nights in Solvang.
If you and/or your vehicle is not up to driving the approx 350 - 360 miles to Solvang, then try your best to find somebody to drive you

[redhummingbird]

Originally Posted by tikkasf

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fair_O...r_Oaks,_CA.JPG


Image Map A2


Redh, Assuming Fair Oaks is not that far from you, perhaps you could take a afternoon excursion to see the apt and neighborhood in person. I no nothing of the area. One positive thing could be if the apt was not far from a light rail stop. You could then occasionally visit the downtown Sacramento area.....relax in Old Soul

Good point. You've been to the Old Soul Cafe?

I'm going to call the Uber driver guy I met and have him drive me to Fair Oaks so I can check out those apartments.

I'm looking for someone to drive me to Solvang. I'd prefer to live there if I can make peace with the lack of balcony, the enclosed building, and being surrounded by people on all sides (as I'm writing this I'm realizing the apartment complex itself doesn't sound appealing at all).

The advantage of the Fair Oaks place is they accept pets. I have a gut feeling they have roaches. There is a big issue with roaches in this whole area for some reason (Davis too).

You find great links! Thank you!

[tikkasf]

Originally Posted by redhummingbird

Good point. You've been to the Old Soul Cafe?

I'm going to call the Uber driver guy I met and have him drive me to Fair Oaks so I can check out those apartments.

I'm looking for someone to drive me to Solvang. I'd prefer to live there if I can make peace with the lack of balcony, the enclosed building, and being surrounded by people on all sides (as I'm writing this I'm realizing the apartment complex itself doesn't sound appealing at all).

The advantage of the Fair Oaks place is they accept pets. I have a gut feeling they have roaches. There is a big issue with roaches in this whole area for some reason (Davis too).

You find great links! Thank you!

If it is a new complex in Solvang just opening, then perhaps you can try to get a corner apt or even better, a top floor corner apt.

Fair Oaks could turn out as you expected or.............at least it's not a hassle for you to visit in person and see for yourself

[redhummingbird]

Originally Posted by tikkasf

If it is a new complex in Solvang just opening, then perhaps you can try to get a corner apt or even better, a top floor corner apt.

Fair Oaks could turn out as you expected or.............at least it's not a hassle for you to visit in person and see for yourself

I requested a top floor apartment but didn't request a corner unit. I'm going to call them tomorrow to see if I can get more information. They aren't all that organized so I haven't been able to find out much of anything even though they are supposed to be opening in two weeks.

I think if I could find a way to sound proof the apartment and find outdoor space where I could park my anti gravity chair and read I'd choose Solvang. It might not be possible. Fair Oaks looks like a cute town though and I like that they accept two pets.

I may end up needing to see a specialist in Reno so that would be another plus for Fair Oaks although I could check to see if there is anyone in Santa Barbara.

[tikkasf]

Originally Posted by redhummingbird

I requested a top floor apartment but didn't request a corner unit. I'm going to call them tomorrow to see if I can get more information. They aren't all that organized so I haven't been able to find out much of anything even though they are supposed to be opening in two weeks.

I think if I could find a way to sound proof the apartment and find outdoor space where I could park my anti gravity chair and read I'd choose Solvang. It might not be possible. Fair Oaks looks like a cute town though and I like that they accept two pets.

I may end up needing to see a specialist in Reno so that would be another plus for Fair Oaks although I could check to see if there is anyone in Santa Barbara.

Although I have visited neither location, my guess is a majority of people would think Solvang is a nicer town then Fair Oaks and has the added advantage of being not all that far from the coast. Summer very likely are bit cooler then Fair Oaks.
I think it is still worth it for you to check out Fair Oaks apt/s in person. One reason being a higher population area like the Sacramento region is more likely to have resources, services, organizations that could be beneficial in some way to someone with a chronic health condition. Transit to downtown area of Sacramento via public transit, such as light rail, I would assume is better then whatever form of transportation is available to & from Santa Barbara from Solvang. In another, earlier posting thread you had some concerns regarding how much of your furniture you would be able to take with you to your new residence......obviously distance of the move plays a big factor, considering a likely limit on what you can afford to pay movers.
I recall another respondent to your posting/s, whom is thinking about moving herself, express the thought about moving somewhere where everything you need is relatively close by.....either accessible by car or transit.
Hard decisions with some accepted compromise/s.....you are not in a enviable position

[redhummingbird]

Originally Posted by tikkasf

Although I have visited neither location, my guess is a majority of people would think Solvang is a nicer town then Fair Oaks and has the added advantage of being not all that far from the coast. Summer very likely are bit cooler then Fair Oaks.
I think it is still worth it for you to check out Fair Oaks apt/s in person. One reason being a higher population area like the Sacramento region is more likely to have resources, services, organizations that could be beneficial in some way to someone with a chronic health condition. Transit to downtown area of Sacramento via public transit, such as light rail, I would assume is better then whatever form of transportation is available to & from Santa Barbara from Solvang. In another, earlier posting thread you had some concerns regarding how much of your furniture you would be able to take with you to your new residence......obviously distance of the move plays a big factor, considering a likely limit on what you can afford to pay movers.
I recall another respondent to your posting/s, whom is thinking about moving herself, express the thought about moving somewhere where everything you need is relatively close by.....either accessible by car or transit.
Hard decisions with some accepted compromise/s.....you are not in a enviable position

All true and good points. Someone offered to help with the move to Solvang so moving budget is no longer a block.

Having everything close by is important to me. I saw a review of the Fair Oaks place that stated a couple people were beaten and robbed at gunpoint as well as an apartment break in and car's broken into. It was in 2014 so I don't know if the area is still bad or not. It's so discouraging! The places I can afford have some real drawbacks. At least in this area. I'm hoping to visit the apartment complex soon so I can get a sense of safety, what the property looks like etc..... It's about 2-3 miles from the river which would be nice for me.

Solvang would have what I need what not things like Trader Joe's or Target, Costco etc.....

It is a tough position to be in. I've been getting a bit depressed about the whole situation. Especially because of what my life was like prior to getting sick.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

I don't understand why you aren't applying for subsidized housing. Many are in great neighborhoods, they have to be inspected to be sure you're in a well-kept place, you can't be kicked out without cause, rents will always be affordable to you (even without Section 8). If you're worried your income or assets are too high, you'd be surprised.