Moving to California?

Question

My family is considering moving to San Francisco or somehwere in SoCal (San Diego or LA possibly). Right now we reside in Medina, WA. Looking for safe neighborhoods, family friendly places (i'm in high school, I have younger siblings). So where are some good spots?

Answer 1

The problem is there are hundreds of different neighbourhoods in both areas, all with their own features and flavour. It's very hard to make a decision on such broad parameters (i.e., LA or SFO).

Looking at the big picture first, weather-wise, SoCal is warmer, SFO is a coastal community so is cooler. Some communities south of LA, like South Orange County, along the coast, are also cooler temps. Inland in both regions is HOT in the summer, pleasant in the winter.

So, next, do you like the mountains or the beach? Inland, more rural area or built-up city? Do you mind a commute, or would you like to live/work in the same area?

Is your family going to rent a house, or buy?

Cost-wise, both areas are expensive and crowded. But if you're living, working and going to school in the same area, then traffic won't affect you so much. Housing is expensive everywhere.

I'd start looking at schooling first, get on-line and start asking people what their high school is like, then look at the neighbourhoods surrounding it.

Thousand Oaks is where my niece and nephew grew up, and they both liked it. Close enough to LA to enjoy big city pleasures, but far enough away that it was much more a safe suburb/neighbourhood feel.

I grew up in Santa Ana/Tustin in the early 60's when it was semi-rural, but it's a different place now. There are no more orange groves or agricultural land now, it's all housing. Expensive. Traffic is incredible if you work outside town.

So do some more research, try and talk to kids from all over, but I'd try and narrow the search first - northern California or southern?

Answer 2

Living in the Northern California area is much safer then living in LA. The further North you go the slower the atmosphere of the communities are. We live in North Cali and I can honestly say that most neighborhoods up here are way way different then down Southern California. The cost of living is also less expensive. Be it the City or the country side up here living is way different, then down there. Some great areas to look into would be Chico (great area for the little ones and the schooling, job opportunities are great and the rent still affordable). Redding is also great (country and city both). Oroville is another that is affordable and Durham. I wish you the best of luck!.

Answer 3

It relies upon the place you're moving from and what area of California you're moving to. while you're moving to the la area: Housing fees in and around la are fairly extreme. Public transportation is terrible and having a motor vehicle is a would desire to. in the San Fernando Valley, temperatures many times attain 110F for no less than in step with week or so each 365 days. that is cooler on the west part, and costal factors. the favored months are August and September, that's additionally formally hearth season. Winters are hassle-free even though it may drop into the extreme 30's on some wintry climate nights. It snows in the nearby mountains and often times in the extreme wasteland. Santa Anas are a each year climate phenomena of very sturdy, heat dry winds which could celeb in September and proceed on and off by way of January. they'll chap your lips, make your pores and skin itch, and make you afraid to the touch something steel that may no longer gounded. Rain many times is presented in April yet we often times get rain everywhere between November and would. summer season storms are very uncommon. San Francisco bay area: Housing fees are not lots extra low priced than la, however the city has fairly sturdy public transportation. It nonetheless facilitates to have a motor vehicle although. the climate in San Francisco is lots cooler and wetter than in la, yet San Francisco has so lots extra version in that is microclimates. One area of the city would properly be chilly and foggy and the different area would properly be heat and sunny. California is a great state and there are distinctive little cities and suburbs with virtually any climate which you are able to imagine. the only element i will fairly say, no rely the place you reside in California, is save your flashlight and slippers close on your mattress and a furnish of water in case of an earthquake. Oh yeah, and don't flow TO NORTH HOLLYWOOD!

Answer 4

Anywhere but LA. Redding is nice, as is San Diego, San Louis Obispo, and quite a few cities around LA. Just steer clear of LA if you can.

Answer 5

San Francisco is an okay place. I live in SoCal, moved from NorCal. Both of them are pretty much alright. But, SoCal has wayyyyyy more traffic. In SoCal, you don't see so much of "stars" so you can definetly cross that off your list. In San Jose (NorCal) there isn't much. In SoCal, there are way theme parks. But, Universal Studios isn't that great. Disneyland is always fun. Well, your choice, not mine! (I rather live in SoCal if I were you!)

Answer 6

Riverside, Ca. is a pretty good town. I lived there for many years. This was 12 years ago, though.

Answer 7

the rancho bernardo/poway areas of san diego are wonderful places,around l.a. glendale and burbank are pretty good....if you can affford it the "bird streets " just off the sunset strip are very nice.

Answer 8

the seattle area/eastside is way nicer

but you could just move to the bay area

its almost the same thing