California Questions

[DW]

Well, I never really expected this, but I may be moving to southern California in the next year or so.  The only places in Cali I have been were LAX and San Francisco's airport, which doesn't count for much.  I'd be working at the Ontario airport, but know enough about the town to not want anything to do with living there. 

So here are the questions.  Where would you live if you were moving your family out there?  I've got a 4 bed two bath 2,100sq ft house now and would like to shoot for something similar.  Access to mountain biking and motorcycle roads would be important.  I like to live an outdoor lifestyle, so camping, hiking, swimming nearby would be good also. Commute to work that isn't 8 hours long would be nice.  All housing is going to be too expensive for me after being used to a Midwest budget, but what am I looking at for a safe neighborhood for the kids?  Also, where specifically should I avoid?

[ryandalling]

I like SF, SD, and Monterey... and avoid LA.

[SacDuc]

I like SF, SD, and Monterey... and avoid LA.

This.

I personally think Monterey/Carmel has shitty weather. San Luis Obispo is nice. If you like things more rural and inland the Santa Ynez Valley is beautiful. These are more Central Coast though.


And even in this economy be prepared to be shocked at realestate prices. Pick where you want to live based on how you actually live. You pay a premium to live here. Make sure you get what you are paying for.

For example, I live in a seaside community a few blocks from the beach. We pay a premium for that. But we use the beach all the time. So we feel we get our money's worth. Occasionally we talk to people who tell us that they haven't been to the beach in a year. WTF? If you are paying the premium to live seaside and don't use the beaches, own a boat, etc what the hell is the point. Its like living in Aspen and not skiing. You can NOT ski in Kansas for much less.

So be honest with yourself about how you really live and select a location based on that. And be willing to down size the sqft a bit. The weather is beautiful here all of the time. You will be spending more time outdoors. Patios count as living space. If you don't think you will, don't move here. Because you are paying a premium for the weather too. Not taking advantage of it missing the point of being here.

Good luck with your search.

sac

[r_ciao]

If you will be working at the Ontario airport, you kind of have to live somewhere close to it.  Unless you have access to flying/commuting by air there.  Living east toward the San Bernardino hills for moto riding makes sense.  But you have to be realistic about real estate.  IT'S EXPENSIVE relative to almost everywhere else with few exceptions.

Hate to say it, but you most likely want to avoid any area that you can afford.  No. not really, but expect to pay $400K and up.  Good luck in your decision if you make it out west.  It really is kind of nice out here if you can afford it and enjoy it.

Ciao!

[SacDuc]

Shit I missed the Ontario Airport deal somehow. That being the case I'll just say this: Corona is a hole in the earth. If you need crack go to Corona.

Riverside: Not so good.
Pomona: A whole lot of nothin' but some areas are safe and all
San Dimas: Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure was set there, so that's cool

You will have a long commute no matter where you live because you will have to take the 10. It is like hell. Six lanes of hell (in each direction). Nothing in the midwest can compare.

All I can say is come out and visit this area by yourself for a few days and see if you really want to live in that area. I'd personally rather move back to WI.

Cheers.

sac

[NoisyDante]

For example, I live in a seaside community a few blocks from the beach. ing the point of being here.

Sea Colony?


There is definitely a premium to be paid in Los Angeles, though I don't see why myself.  I work here, and can't really work many other places in this industry.  So when the day comes that I choose to buy a house, I think that I will be looking North of LA, even if there is a commute, possibly in Oxnard, Santa Clarita, or Camarillo.  Prices will be lower, the prospect of a yard is more promising, less yuppies and hipsters, and I believe a better environment to raise a family.  I would prefer San Francisco or Monterey, and Santa Ynez is nice as well.

[DW]

Shit I missed the Ontario Airport deal somehow. That being the case I'll just say this: Corona is a hole in the earth. If you need crack go to Corona.

Riverside: Not so good.
Pomona: A whole lot of nothing' but some areas are safe and all
San Dimas: Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure was set there, so that's cool

You will have a long commute no matter where you live because you will have to take the 10. It is like hell. Six lanes of hell (in each direction). Nothing in the midwest can compare.

All I can say is come out and visit this area by yourself for a few days and see if you really want to live in that area. I'd personally rather move back to WI.

Cheers.

sac

You just pretty much nailed all of my fears in one post!  I am pulling for a new job, but it could end up being just about anywhere.  Personally, I am hoping for San Antonio.  I would like to move out of KY, but Cali was NOT on my wish list.  Things I like about the idea are the beach, climate and mountains.  Everything else sounds awful.  Smog, traffic, high population, USC (NOT a fan of PAC 10 football), etc...  When Ontario came at me it was totally unexpected.  Just doing a little research to be ahead of the game.

[Jaman]

if you want beach and San Diego is an option, MUCH MUCH nicer than LA, and (relatively) more affordable.

Encinitas, Carlsbad, Cardiff, Solana Beach... all a 30-45 min commute +/-

[SacDuc]

Sea Colony?


There is definitely a premium to be paid in Los Angeles, though I don't see why myself.  I work here, and can't really work many other places in this industry.  So when the day comes that I choose to buy a house, I think that I will be looking North of LA, even if there is a commute, possibly in Oxnard, Santa Clarita, or Camarillo.  Prices will be lower, the prospect of a yard is more promising, less yuppies and hipsters, and I believe a better environment to raise a family.  I would prefer San Francisco or Monterey, and Santa Ynez is nice as well.

I live in Santa Barbara (by the way Bacon Junkie and I are riding Sunday morning if'n you wanna meet us in Ojai)

Between Oxnard and Camarillo I'd take Oxnard. Nice town. Seems laid back. Moorpark area could be worse. LOTS of good riding around there and likely some good home prices about now too. Some decent restaurants as well.

I work in the Santa Ynez area mostly. I am busy ruining it by building over sized homes for people who want to turn this place into the next Napa Valley. It is beautiful here but in 10-15 years it will be expensive and full of pricks who just inherited one of mommy and daddy's country homes.

sac


/I still don't like the Monterey area

[erkishhorde]

The closest board members to Ontario are myself, arai_speed, and ICON. I've sent you a PM.  

Privateer is probably the next closest and I think r_ciao lives around us somewhere but I don't know exactly where all the socal guys live.  

[Speeddog]

~~SNIP~~
That being the case I'll just say this: Corona is a hole in the earth. If you need crack go to Corona.

Riverside: Not so good.
Pomona: A whole lot of nothin' but some areas are safe and all
San Dimas: Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure was set there, so that's cool

~~SNIP~~

Shit, let's paint everything with a brush a mile wide, shall we?  
There's crappy areas everywhere, even near where *you* live.

I lived in Riverside county for 20 years.
Most of the areas close to there will be hot in the summer, but you likely already know that.
Ontario is fairly close to Lake Arrowhead/Big Bear, so your outdoor/hiking/camping/swimming would be covered there.

Realistically, come out and see what the local areas are like.
When/if you move, rent housing until you really find out where you want to live.

[SacDuc]

Shit, let's paint everything with a brush a mile wide, shall we?  
There's crappy areas everywhere, even near where *you* live.

Well, this being an internet forum and all I didn't think this was the place to write a 50 page list of pros and cons for each and every burg from Long Beach to Cazabon.

All of the comments I made were in the context of a guy from the midwest looking for an affordable 2000sqft home in safe neighborhood for his kids within reasonable driving distance of the Ontario Airport. Did I make very general statements? Yes. Would anyone look at statements so broad and think that is the only thing to be said for a given area? Only an idiot. Do I stand by what I said? Yes. Are there bad areas near where *I* live? Yeah, but who gives a make the beast with two backs since he isn't moving here.

I didn't say anything bad about you personally, so countering what I have said with information that points to the contrary would likely be most helpful to the original poster. The close proximity of the outdoorsy stuff is a good start.

By the way, you said you lived (past tense) in Riverside County. Why don't you live there now?

sac

[r_ciao]

pissing match?

can't we all just get along?

i love this forum!!!!!

[SacDuc]

pissing match?

can't we all just get along?

i love this forum!!!!!

[NoisyDante]