Which city in California would you live in?

Question

Next year I am planning to move to CA... For the people that have lived there and still live there - which town or city would you suggest is best to live in, considering living expences and lifestyle :)

Answer 1

SAN DIEGO!

Answer 2

If you like beaches, consider Santa Barbara and San Diego. If you like mountain areas, do consider Big Bear:-).
I live in San Bernardino, and if I want to go to the beach, it's just an hour or two away. If I like to retreat in the mountain and savor Mother Nature, it's just about forty five minutes. I will tell you that any place or cities on earth, there are always crime. The houses are more affordable (from $300,00.00 up) than other places here in Southern CA.
No matter where you're going to stay, I am sure you will find CA as one of the best places in the world. Everything is convenient, from wild nightlife to solitary life.
Best of luck:-).

Answer 3

If you're looking for stereotypical postcard California and cost and budget is no object, do move to Southern California area, from Santa Barbara, Santa Monica to Laguna Beach, or Newport Beach to La Jolla and San Diego. Gorgeous towns.

As for San Francisco, it's a nice city to visit but the weather is certainly not "California" weather. I assume you want California weather if you're relocating here. That's the whole point, isn't it? San Francisco Bay area ain't cheap either. Definitely more expensive than San Diego due to the abundance of professional tech jobs and high salaries.

If you want cheap, just stay away from these coastal towns and live on the east side of California (further inland). For example, Sacramento or Bakersfield :-) Much, much cheaper real estate, but not as desirable, obviously.

You get what you pay for, my friend. You get what you pay for..

Answer 4

What about Ventura County (Ventura/Camarrilo/Thousand Oaks)? A few minutes north and your in Santa Barbara. Easy access to the PCH, and in a few minutes south, your in L.A. Ventura County isn't touristy like San Diego. L.A. or SF, so the traffic isn't as crazy. You can take scenic canyon drives on the weekends or just hang out at the pier. I grew up there and I'm looking to move back sometime, if you don't like the hustle and bustle of a big California city, then you should consider Ventura County.

Answer 5

if i could live in cali and if money dident matter I would have multiple homes. My main residence would be in Rancho Santa Fe. 10+ Acres, soraing Eucluptyus trees everywhere + palm trees and other tropical plants galore with the required orange tree field. The house would be either a Mediteranian or a Spanish Colonial Revival style with around 9000 SqFt. Tennis court, guest house, pool house, all the goodies for ideal RSF living.

Actually, my dream home can be found at www.theultimateestate.com

My beach house would be in La Jolla Farms, with a gondala from the bluff to the beach. 6000Sqft, 5 acres.

My other houses would include a 5000sqft historic spanish home high in the hills above monticito/Santa Barbara with the stunning view on 15+ acres.

Some more include a 2000Sqft cabin in Big Sur, hidden in the hills somewhere with that truly breathtaking view. 10 acres with a lot of trees.

A historic mansion in Pacific Heights with the view of the bay and bridge. 6-7K sqft. There was a house in AD that fits this discription exactly. Huge underground garage for all the toys (top down in a Ferrari on a crisp clear SF day anyone?)

To top it off, I would have a penthouse at the top of the Harbor Club in San Diego with the amazing view. 5,000 Sqft.

Answer 6

Amsterdam county California

Answer 7

San Diego or in the San Diego county like Chula Vista is a nice place to live.

Answer 8

San Diego i live it there. Not the cheapest place to live thats for sure but its not the worst either. I hate no city in the world more than la i avoid that place like the plaque.
San Diego is just such a nice place, i love everything about it.

Answer 9

San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Palo Alto - all are GORGEOUS and have seasons (I need those!).

San Diego is also great, but the weather's the same all the time.

And San Fran is wonderful, but it's just too danged expensive! But if I could afford it, I'd be there in a flash.

Good luck, and I do envy you just a little bit. ;-)

Answer 10

Long Beach.

Its the most affordable, in between Orange County and Los Angeles County to be able to do stuff.

Ocean life is great so you are splitting the difference between luxury, apartment living or rental home living (must room mate to keep the cost down), and being in a mecca of interesting people versus non interesting people.

Anywhere else inland can get to slummy or too boring. So, Long Beach it is.

I live in Burbank, family going to distinguished schools and its too expensive to live here even though Tim Burton grew up here and duplicates the neighborhoods in his films and animations, which one of our homes can equal the cost of a mansion in Texas... they are small and expensive.

I have to add that San Diego is too far south to do anything and San Fransisco is northern California which is even more expesnive to live in if you are looking for affordable living.

Answer 11

San Diego hands down but expensive next would be just outside at oceanside