Best City to Move to on the West Coast
Dec 6th, 2005, 02:22 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Best City to Move to on the West Coast
I have lived in suburbs of Philly my entire life but I am now looking to move to the West Coast. San Diego was tops on my list because of the weather, music scene, nearby universities, and because of its proximity to the beach. However, I have some questions regarding the drawbacks of the city which are high cost of living, and traffic problems.
The places I've been too on the west coast for vacation are San Diego (loved it for the week I was there), LA ( was ok, but didnt like the traffic or smog), and Seattle ( I liked the city, but liked visiting the nearby state and national parks even more like MT. Rainer.)
Ideally I would like to live close enough to the Pacific Coast so I can go to the beach during the summer. In or around a city that has a lot to do in terms of music(playing live shows), outdoors(biking and hiking), possibly affordable (600 or less a month in rent for a room in house), low commute time, Easy to get a part time serving gig while in school, short winters and summers, and close to universities or community colleges, and has some sort of nightlife ( I prefer bars and pubs over clubs).
Portland is one city that has caught my attention, and is much cheaper than any city in CA. I would prefer to live in California, but Portland looks to fit me well other than it supposedly rains a lot over there and has many cloudy days. For those who live in Portland is the rain that bad, does it affect outdoors activities such as biking?
For those who live in San Diego, I've been there and haven't really noticed the traffic, but I've heard about it. Is the traffic that bad? A lot of people who live in San Diego have must have money to live there, are these people snobby or genuine and friendly?
Santa Cruz was also on my list, but it seems like its too expensive, and too small of a city for me to live in.
Any suggestions, comments would be a great help.
I am taking my car out west with my stuff in mid January. I need help from all you west coast residents!!!
Thanks,
Fil
The places I've been too on the west coast for vacation are San Diego (loved it for the week I was there), LA ( was ok, but didnt like the traffic or smog), and Seattle ( I liked the city, but liked visiting the nearby state and national parks even more like MT. Rainer.)
Ideally I would like to live close enough to the Pacific Coast so I can go to the beach during the summer. In or around a city that has a lot to do in terms of music(playing live shows), outdoors(biking and hiking), possibly affordable (600 or less a month in rent for a room in house), low commute time, Easy to get a part time serving gig while in school, short winters and summers, and close to universities or community colleges, and has some sort of nightlife ( I prefer bars and pubs over clubs).
Portland is one city that has caught my attention, and is much cheaper than any city in CA. I would prefer to live in California, but Portland looks to fit me well other than it supposedly rains a lot over there and has many cloudy days. For those who live in Portland is the rain that bad, does it affect outdoors activities such as biking?
For those who live in San Diego, I've been there and haven't really noticed the traffic, but I've heard about it. Is the traffic that bad? A lot of people who live in San Diego have must have money to live there, are these people snobby or genuine and friendly?
Santa Cruz was also on my list, but it seems like its too expensive, and too small of a city for me to live in.
Any suggestions, comments would be a great help.
I am taking my car out west with my stuff in mid January. I need help from all you west coast residents!!!
Thanks,
Fil
Dec 6th, 2005, 02:51 PM
#2
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 7,336
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My daughter just moved from San Diego - and she HATED the traffic - sometimes took her 2 hrs to get to work - and I think it was only about a 20 mile drive.
She also found it hard to make friends there and she is pretty friendly person.
She paid over $700/mo to rent a room in a house- but it was a beautiful house 2 blocks to the beach
She moved to Sacramento just a couple of weeks ago - not close to the beach but close enough to drive there in the summer and also close to all the things you mentioned- hiking, biking, skiing,
colleges, nightlife, close to San Francisco and lower cost of living. I think Sacramento is about a 3 hr drive from Santa Cruz so not too bad.
I live 2 hours south of Portland and Portland would be my choice of places to live in the NW- but I have to admit the rain and gloom gets to me when its June and I am still wearing winter clothes and I know the rest of the country is basking in sunshine. I just have to make an effort to get away. I do love Portland though and think its a great city. If you get out of the city and drive to the mountains you can usually find some sun.
Good luck- I think the west coast is the place to be.
She also found it hard to make friends there and she is pretty friendly person.
She paid over $700/mo to rent a room in a house- but it was a beautiful house 2 blocks to the beach
She moved to Sacramento just a couple of weeks ago - not close to the beach but close enough to drive there in the summer and also close to all the things you mentioned- hiking, biking, skiing,
colleges, nightlife, close to San Francisco and lower cost of living. I think Sacramento is about a 3 hr drive from Santa Cruz so not too bad.
I live 2 hours south of Portland and Portland would be my choice of places to live in the NW- but I have to admit the rain and gloom gets to me when its June and I am still wearing winter clothes and I know the rest of the country is basking in sunshine. I just have to make an effort to get away. I do love Portland though and think its a great city. If you get out of the city and drive to the mountains you can usually find some sun.
Good luck- I think the west coast is the place to be.
Dec 6th, 2005, 03:17 PM
#3
Sunbum, didn't your daughter live in Carlsbad, not San Diego?
San Diego IS very expensive. Singles new to the area, IMO, would be better off living in the city of San Diego, either in a beach area, Mission Valley or downtown.
The traffic can be very bad if there's an accident on the freeway, but it's not always that bad. Usually it is very slow during rush hour.The traffic can be bad in every other city of a similar size.
Most people who have lived here for a while aren't particularly wealthy. The paper value of their homes has skyrocketed, but they still earn roughly the same as salaries have not skyrocketed. North of I-8 is overall more affluent than south, but there are affluent areas to the south and poorer areas in the north.
San Diego IS very expensive. Singles new to the area, IMO, would be better off living in the city of San Diego, either in a beach area, Mission Valley or downtown.
The traffic can be very bad if there's an accident on the freeway, but it's not always that bad. Usually it is very slow during rush hour.The traffic can be bad in every other city of a similar size.
Most people who have lived here for a while aren't particularly wealthy. The paper value of their homes has skyrocketed, but they still earn roughly the same as salaries have not skyrocketed. North of I-8 is overall more affluent than south, but there are affluent areas to the south and poorer areas in the north.
Dec 6th, 2005, 03:34 PM
#5
I moved to Seattle from the east coast to "try it out" 20 years ago... never looked back.
But if you are worried about the traffic and high cost of living in San Diego, I can only imagine that Seattle's no better.
The trick is to live close to your employment. For example, my commute is only 5 miles round-trip and I don't use the freeways, just surface streets. Housing costs are still affordable IMO, people I know rent nice centrally located 1 or 2 bedroom apartments in good neighborhoods for $750-950/month.
But if you are worried about the traffic and high cost of living in San Diego, I can only imagine that Seattle's no better.
The trick is to live close to your employment. For example, my commute is only 5 miles round-trip and I don't use the freeways, just surface streets. Housing costs are still affordable IMO, people I know rent nice centrally located 1 or 2 bedroom apartments in good neighborhoods for $750-950/month.
Dec 6th, 2005, 03:43 PM
#6
I see you're interested in shared housing, I'm guessing that would not be a problem in your price range. Seattle certainly offers the outdoor opportunities, location near the ocean and Puget sound, and music scene you seek.
Dec 6th, 2005, 03:49 PM
#7
I think Portland is a good choice given your preferences. Yes it rains, but no more than inclement weather in Phila. and generally even the rainy days have some respite.
One thing to note is that if going to the beach - as in going into the water - is a priority, there's little Pacific coast north of LA where the water will be warm enough to be comfortable. Quite a lot colder than the Atlantic at similar latitudes. OTOH there are lots of rivers and lakes.
Portland is more affordable than Seattle, but the total cost of living is not going to be all that different - slightly higher taxes in Oregon for instance (state income tax, none in WA; sales tax in WA, none in OR.) Seattle traffic is worse, but if you bus it or live close to work, not an issue in either city; both have good in-city transit systems.
One thing to note is that if going to the beach - as in going into the water - is a priority, there's little Pacific coast north of LA where the water will be warm enough to be comfortable. Quite a lot colder than the Atlantic at similar latitudes. OTOH there are lots of rivers and lakes.
Portland is more affordable than Seattle, but the total cost of living is not going to be all that different - slightly higher taxes in Oregon for instance (state income tax, none in WA; sales tax in WA, none in OR.) Seattle traffic is worse, but if you bus it or live close to work, not an issue in either city; both have good in-city transit systems.
Dec 6th, 2005, 04:06 PM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,110
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I grew up in Santa Cruz and now live in San Jose, so I still go over there fairly often. It is a nice place, but you are right - it isn't an urban area. For its size though, it has a lot going on. Traffic can be a problem, esspecially in summer. A lot of people ride bikes though, and when you are on a bike, traffic doesn't mean as much.
As for possible snobbishness in high cost of living areas - a lot of people's money goes to housing so when it all shakes out, people aren't really any more well off than people in the rest of the country.
As for possible snobbishness in high cost of living areas - a lot of people's money goes to housing so when it all shakes out, people aren't really any more well off than people in the rest of the country.
Dec 7th, 2005, 09:25 PM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2005
Posts: 11
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was in a hostel at Boulder, Colorado. I was talking to a few people who were from Santa Cruz. They were talking about how there is a big difference between Socal and northern california. One of the things they were talking about was that a lot of people in southern california are obessed with their image. I been to both LA and San Diego. When I was in LA I stayed in Long Beach and Carson City. There is not much glamor over there. However, I do know when you get to the better parts of LA people are pretty much obessed with their images. People, at least IMO were more for the outer beauty, image and stuff. Thats where I can relate to this comment this guy said at the hostel. However, I did not find the same in San Diego. I stayed in Chula Vista, but went downtown, to the beach of Coronado, and went out in Mission Valley. The only Bar I went to in SD was a bar called effins in mission valley and it was a busy, college type bar that was not flashy. My entire stay in SD all the people seemed to be friendly, but my areas I visited were pretty much Mission Valley, Coronado, and Chula Vista, and 1 day at the beach in PB. This guy from Northern California still said there is a lot of "snobby people" in SD. I didnt find any in 7 days, but I spent most of my time in Chula Vista and Mission Valley.
SunBum how does your daughter like Sacramento. It made my list on findyourspot.com, but didnt get the best reviews on 43places.com. Does she prefer it over San Diego. Was the traffic problem due to the fact that she lived in North County and had a job somewhere near downtown??? Thanks for the info though. Suze I loved Seattle when I visited there, but I don't think I want to live that north, thats why Portland caught my eye because its a little south of Seattle. J Correa how was Santa Cruz? I would love to live there, but I am afraid that I wont be able to get a serving job there. Are there a lot of resturants over there. Do you think I might be able to get a 30 hr part time gig over there. I was looking at Cabrillo College in Aptos. That area looks amazing.
I still must say that cost still plays a factor too, but not so much if I can make the 600 a week that I do now.
I apologize that I unknowingly created two threads. I am reading each thread and giving different info based on each individual thread. If anyone wants to look and get more info. about my situation, please do. I am glad I found this site that is able to answer some of these questions I have. I hope more people post their opinions. Because I am still on the east coast I value peoples opinions who live or have lived in the areas I am interested in. I will be leaving mid january to move to the west coast, possibily going to more destinations and checking out my ideal place to live on the west coast. Once again thanks for all replies. Looking forward for more.
SunBum how does your daughter like Sacramento. It made my list on findyourspot.com, but didnt get the best reviews on 43places.com. Does she prefer it over San Diego. Was the traffic problem due to the fact that she lived in North County and had a job somewhere near downtown??? Thanks for the info though. Suze I loved Seattle when I visited there, but I don't think I want to live that north, thats why Portland caught my eye because its a little south of Seattle. J Correa how was Santa Cruz? I would love to live there, but I am afraid that I wont be able to get a serving job there. Are there a lot of resturants over there. Do you think I might be able to get a 30 hr part time gig over there. I was looking at Cabrillo College in Aptos. That area looks amazing.
I still must say that cost still plays a factor too, but not so much if I can make the 600 a week that I do now.
I apologize that I unknowingly created two threads. I am reading each thread and giving different info based on each individual thread. If anyone wants to look and get more info. about my situation, please do. I am glad I found this site that is able to answer some of these questions I have. I hope more people post their opinions. Because I am still on the east coast I value peoples opinions who live or have lived in the areas I am interested in. I will be leaving mid january to move to the west coast, possibily going to more destinations and checking out my ideal place to live on the west coast. Once again thanks for all replies. Looking forward for more.
Dec 8th, 2005, 01:27 AM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,642
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We moved from Philly to Oregon (first Eugene, then to Portland area a few years later). Actually, the weather is better in Portland than in Philly! I telecommuted to my job back in Philly and there were many days over the years when I would call in and hear the office was closed for the day due to ice or snow--hooray for me, a free vacation day to buzz off to NW 23rd and relax at a coffee shop. And in the summer, none of the wilting heat and humidity--summer days in the Pacific NW are just glorious.
Re the financial situation, we lived in Vancouver, WA, and got the best of both worlds--didn't pay state income tax, but shopped in Oregon so no sales tax. We really liked our neighborhood in Vancouver (the Bella Vista area) which was nothing at all like the stereotypes some Portlanders use to describe Vancouver, but as a singleton, you sound like you'd be better off in Portland proper (if you can find a rental that fits your budget). There is a surprisingly large number of singles living in shared houses in Vancouver--but most of them grew up in the area or had friends/family living there.
Portland has a fine and growing restaurant scene, so there should be good ops for an experienced server.
Re the financial situation, we lived in Vancouver, WA, and got the best of both worlds--didn't pay state income tax, but shopped in Oregon so no sales tax. We really liked our neighborhood in Vancouver (the Bella Vista area) which was nothing at all like the stereotypes some Portlanders use to describe Vancouver, but as a singleton, you sound like you'd be better off in Portland proper (if you can find a rental that fits your budget). There is a surprisingly large number of singles living in shared houses in Vancouver--but most of them grew up in the area or had friends/family living there.
Portland has a fine and growing restaurant scene, so there should be good ops for an experienced server.
