Thinking about moving to Cali, would like to live by beaches
Jul 26th, 2004, 01:10 PM
#22
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How about Santa Cruz - Great beach town in Northern California - Also very expensive to buy a house (Current Median Price 670K).
Moving down the state southward there are many beach towns SLO, Santa Barbara, Ventura, plus Los Angeles area towns like Malibu, Venice, Redondo, Long Beach, Newport, Laguna, then into the San Diego area Oceanside, Carlsbad, Cardiff, La Jolla, and San Diego. None of these places will be cheap and Rent is also very expensive!
Moving down the state southward there are many beach towns SLO, Santa Barbara, Ventura, plus Los Angeles area towns like Malibu, Venice, Redondo, Long Beach, Newport, Laguna, then into the San Diego area Oceanside, Carlsbad, Cardiff, La Jolla, and San Diego. None of these places will be cheap and Rent is also very expensive!
Jul 26th, 2004, 01:47 PM
#23
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Do remember Woody Allen's comment about California's contribution to culture being the right hand turn on a red light ! True enough, a very important contribution but ...
You will find CA full of immigrants from other parts of the US but very few NYers amongst them. That said, hey, why not spend a year or two there. You sound young, and CA might be fun for you, but, as others have said, you won't be able to live near the beach unless you have some real money. My daughter just bought a 2 bdr. condo in Newport Beach for $600K. It is NOT on the water. Her grandmother's little OLD house which has its own pier could be sold tomorrow for $10 million. Get a free Homes and Land at your supermarket and ask them to send you copies from various areas. I think you might rethink your CA idea.
You will find CA full of immigrants from other parts of the US but very few NYers amongst them. That said, hey, why not spend a year or two there. You sound young, and CA might be fun for you, but, as others have said, you won't be able to live near the beach unless you have some real money. My daughter just bought a 2 bdr. condo in Newport Beach for $600K. It is NOT on the water. Her grandmother's little OLD house which has its own pier could be sold tomorrow for $10 million. Get a free Homes and Land at your supermarket and ask them to send you copies from various areas. I think you might rethink your CA idea.
Jul 26th, 2004, 02:15 PM
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We, too, are thinking of a move to HI. We live in the mountains above Reno near Lake Tahoe, and prices here have escalated to CA levels. Californians are still on the move to NV because they won't have CA state personal income taxes plus other cumbersome issues with which to deal.
HI, the Big Island, looks awfully good to us. Unhappily, I came across an article from the NYT which said that SFers are buying up the B.I. and turning it into Bohemian Grove West. Then again, the B.I. is BIG and ...
HI, the Big Island, looks awfully good to us. Unhappily, I came across an article from the NYT which said that SFers are buying up the B.I. and turning it into Bohemian Grove West. Then again, the B.I. is BIG and ...
Jul 26th, 2004, 03:59 PM
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here_today - Have a bad run-in with LL Cool J?
I don't think queenkatez is looking to buy her family home, she said move for a year or two, a change of pace. Also, she said priority was to be "close to the beach." Assuming close is driving, not walking (it is California after all), from visiting friends of mine, there are some fairly affordable (in NYC terms) places you can rent within a short drive/long walk to the beach. If beach / beach culture is the reason you're going, then you definitely are talking about Southern California. I'd look at the San Diego area first, from my limited visits to CA.
The bigger issue might be a job. That you should research because my friends out there all say the job situation is still very tight, I get an impression it is fairly worse than in NYC.
I don't think queenkatez is looking to buy her family home, she said move for a year or two, a change of pace. Also, she said priority was to be "close to the beach." Assuming close is driving, not walking (it is California after all), from visiting friends of mine, there are some fairly affordable (in NYC terms) places you can rent within a short drive/long walk to the beach. If beach / beach culture is the reason you're going, then you definitely are talking about Southern California. I'd look at the San Diego area first, from my limited visits to CA.
The bigger issue might be a job. That you should research because my friends out there all say the job situation is still very tight, I get an impression it is fairly worse than in NYC.
Jul 26th, 2004, 04:23 PM
#27
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Agree with vacationdreamer - if queenkatez is only thinking rental (for the time being), there are definitely affordable options near the beach. I can't speak for apt prices in San Diego (though I love it there), but I moved from NY 10 years ago, and find it much easier to live well in Southern California, even living by the beach. Even when I was working a job in my younger days that didn't pay much, I still had no problem affording a 2 bedroom apt in Manhattan Beach with a roommate. Now I live in a 1-bedroom in Hermosa Beach. Of course, the key is I did have a job and no debt! So I'd also re-emphasize what vacationdreamer said about checking out the job market. I was laid off last fall, and am still looking for something in my industry. Even temp jobs are not easy to get. Oh, and I'd have to politely disagree with the poster who said NY'ers are scarce out here. I find I meet people from the East Coast, particularly NY, all the time, all over LA...just my own experience, at least...
Jul 26th, 2004, 05:47 PM
#28
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I greatly appreciate everyone's input.
Vacationdreamer and jv827- thanks so much. You two hit the nail on the head. That's exactly how I'm viewing my situation. No I don't have to live ON the beach, but within a short driving distance would be pure bliss.
I definitely need to do lots of research on the job situation out in Southern California.
Thanks again.
Vacationdreamer and jv827- thanks so much. You two hit the nail on the head. That's exactly how I'm viewing my situation. No I don't have to live ON the beach, but within a short driving distance would be pure bliss.
I definitely need to do lots of research on the job situation out in Southern California.
Thanks again.
Jul 26th, 2004, 07:24 PM
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jv827, what's a one bedroom in Hermosa going for these days? I haven't looked in a long time.
You can rent near the beach here for a reasonable price...you just have to be very very lucky! I live not too far from Hermosa/Redondo in a 2 bedroom apt for pretty darn cheap. But I have lived here for some time (I should buy, but can't afford to buy here, of course). My friend moved into the area two years ago, and has a one bedroom cottage in Redondo Beach (big back yard!) for only $700. Still, I admit rents like that are far and few between.
You can rent near the beach here for a reasonable price...you just have to be very very lucky! I live not too far from Hermosa/Redondo in a 2 bedroom apt for pretty darn cheap. But I have lived here for some time (I should buy, but can't afford to buy here, of course). My friend moved into the area two years ago, and has a one bedroom cottage in Redondo Beach (big back yard!) for only $700. Still, I admit rents like that are far and few between.
Jul 26th, 2004, 08:52 PM
#30
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One thing to keep in mind is that there may be no rentals available, as is the case here.(San Luis Obispo, Pismo Beach, Central Coast)Housing prices are through the roof, although much less than Santa Barbara or San Francisco,but things are not staying on the market more than a day or two. Come visit and good luck!
Jul 26th, 2004, 10:43 PM
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I was in San Diego in May and saw an article in the paper stating the median house price was nearly $400,000. in SD county, and obviously lots more in the Bay area.
Folks are spending $180 - $200.K for basic housing to live in the Imperial Valley and are commuting 4 + hours a day.
I lived in San Diego (University City)1975-1980 and the quality of life has not improved imho.
M
Folks are spending $180 - $200.K for basic housing to live in the Imperial Valley and are commuting 4 + hours a day.
I lived in San Diego (University City)1975-1980 and the quality of life has not improved imho.
M
Jul 27th, 2004, 02:45 AM
#32
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Hermosa Beach has some good priced rentals close to the beach.My son (age 25) was transferred there from the Boston area 2 yrs. ago He rents a nice 2 bedroom apt. within a 10 min. walk to Hermosa Beach pier for about $1400/mo.Not too bad if you are sharing with a roomate,and Hermosa is a great place for young people. Now buying is a different story...
Jul 27th, 2004, 12:55 PM
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Crazymina -- wow, I often hear stories about friends of friends who pay less than $700 for a great place in the South Bay, but always chalk it up to urban legend 
Actually, I do have a friend who pays $500 for a cute one-bedroom in Hermosa and the owner hasn't raised the rent in 3 years. Talk about few and far between!!!
Before I found my current apt, I saw a lot of places in HB and MB that were as low as $700, but there were about the size of a box. Actually, the best was the apt I saw where the shower was in the kitchen. Since I own a lot of furniture, I wanted more space, but didn't want to spend $1,500 or $2,000 to get it. However, my apt now is "only" $1050 and it's huge for one person. I've got 2 couches, a futon, dining room table, desk and entertainment center in the living room and there's still lots of space. Plus I'm a few blocks from the beach and have gated parking and on-site laundry. So I do consider myself pretty lucky to have found this place. I was paying less for my share of a 2-bedroom in downtown Manhattan Beach ($1300 with my roommate), but considering my budget and the other apts I saw, I'm glad to pay what I do. Funny thing is, people I know in the valley used to be amazed at how much I spent to live by the beach, but now prices in the valley have risen so much too, that they pay just as much as me.
Actually, I do have a friend who pays $500 for a cute one-bedroom in Hermosa and the owner hasn't raised the rent in 3 years. Talk about few and far between!!!Before I found my current apt, I saw a lot of places in HB and MB that were as low as $700, but there were about the size of a box. Actually, the best was the apt I saw where the shower was in the kitchen. Since I own a lot of furniture, I wanted more space, but didn't want to spend $1,500 or $2,000 to get it. However, my apt now is "only" $1050 and it's huge for one person. I've got 2 couches, a futon, dining room table, desk and entertainment center in the living room and there's still lots of space. Plus I'm a few blocks from the beach and have gated parking and on-site laundry. So I do consider myself pretty lucky to have found this place. I was paying less for my share of a 2-bedroom in downtown Manhattan Beach ($1300 with my roommate), but considering my budget and the other apts I saw, I'm glad to pay what I do. Funny thing is, people I know in the valley used to be amazed at how much I spent to live by the beach, but now prices in the valley have risen so much too, that they pay just as much as me.
Jul 27th, 2004, 01:42 PM
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Mikemo, Jocelyn P
As a native San Diegan, you touch on why IMO the quality of life has declined over the past 30 years. I remember the dairy farms in Mission Valley, the unclogged freeways and the cheaper cost of living. I always enjoyed seeing the open spaces and hills when I went to the Wild Animal Park. The hills are still there, covered in buildings.
We don't have autumn here anymore, just an endless summer. I go to Europe in the fall to get some cool weather.
I love San Diego, but it definitely is not as nice as it used to be.
As a native San Diegan, you touch on why IMO the quality of life has declined over the past 30 years. I remember the dairy farms in Mission Valley, the unclogged freeways and the cheaper cost of living. I always enjoyed seeing the open spaces and hills when I went to the Wild Animal Park. The hills are still there, covered in buildings.
We don't have autumn here anymore, just an endless summer. I go to Europe in the fall to get some cool weather.
I love San Diego, but it definitely is not as nice as it used to be.
Jul 27th, 2004, 02:08 PM
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jv827, your apartment sounds like a STEAL for where it is and how big it is. You can't get apartments for that price that are worth a damn in West Torrance, where I live. You may be part of that Urban legend yourself! 
Jul 27th, 2004, 06:23 PM
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Pasadena is a wonderful city with many pluses-- beautiful Craftsman-style houses, lots to do in the Old Town Pasadena district, a real neighborhood feel-- and one major minus: It's in the San Gabriel Valley, which is beautiful but blazingly hot in summer. Don't get me wrong, however-- Pasadena is lovely, and people live there very happily. It depends on your priorities. The fact that it's removed from LA by mountains is a major plus IMHO.
Gardena is not very attractive-- a good example of the worst of southern California sprawl. A great deal of it is zoned for industrial use. You would be much better off looking elsewhere.
Gardena is not very attractive-- a good example of the worst of southern California sprawl. A great deal of it is zoned for industrial use. You would be much better off looking elsewhere.
Jul 28th, 2004, 12:37 AM
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As someone who just recently moved from Pasadena, after living there for a lifetime, I can assure you that the housing costs there are no better than at the beach, but in Pasadena you can rent a very cute craftsman home with a yard. Population is less dense in SGV, and the traffic is much better. And you have the foothills just above you, or as I prefer, you can live in the foothills and look down on the entire LA basin.
