My family and I are looking at making a MAJOR change in the next year or so. We live in Nova Scotia and are completely tired of the 4 months without cold and snow. Looking to make a move to warmer climate. California is the place we want to be. What I need opinions on is WHERE?!?! Currently looking at Oceanside/Carlsbad area, that way my wife can complete her education at SDSU. What are your thoughts? Keep in mind I have 3 kids, ages 14 and 12(twins). We will be renting a house, like to be somewhere near a beach ( why else would you leave one in NS to go to CA?) and not afraid of the hussle and bustle. ( have lived in Calgary, Vancouver etc.)
So...all you California people, what are your thoughts? benefits and pitfalls?
Close to the beach, and low rent? Oxnard. Can be a pretty rough neighborhood though.
A little more money? Carpenteria. Five minutes from Rincon, small cottages sell for around $600,000.00 but start as low as $450,000.00
Next step is the west or southwest Santa Barbara area. Houses also start at $450,000.00, but you will have some gang trouble. At $550,000 you are still close to the beach but pricing the trouble out of the market. At $600,000 you can get a nice 1200 square feet cottage, ten minutes from the beach, with cool neighbors.
For the wife, these areas have UCSB and Cal State Channel Islands.
At starting prices of 2 million, welcome to Malibu. Pepperdine University at about $50,000 a year.
San Fernando Valley is a 45 minute drive from the surf, but 2500 square feet houses start around $400,000.
For the Wife, you have Cal State University, Northridge.
thanks guys, these are exactly the comments I'm looking for. i don't know the areas and traffic etc. so i'm trying to get a handle on it. Planning a scouting trip down your way soon.
Depending on the degree sought make sure the school is accepting new students. My girlfriend is trying to get into a graduate program and state schools told her they were not taking new grad student for two years. Maybe just in her field, not sure, but worth checking. There are a lot of other little expenses associated with life out here. Its damn expensive to get a license plate.
If you are looking at Oceanside/ Carlsbad area she will have at least an hour drive or more to the SDSU campus. The cost of going to shcool in Cal for out of state residents is very high.
If you want to be close to the Beach look at Ocean Beach, Mission Beach, Pacific Beach. Mission Hills and Normal Heights are close to the Campus and not far from the beach. No matter what expect crowded surf,locals giving you the stink eye and worse, lots and lots of traffic, high cost of living and an economy in a shambles. Now on the bright side great Mexican food. Now that the surfing craze is over there are a ton of used boards on the market and local Shapers will shape for food.
Is there any way your wife can fake it and say she is from South of the Border instead of North? If she can do that she should have No problem getting into a Calif. instute of "Higher Learning"
Ok my daughter goes to SDSU. We live in Ocean Beach. What she likes is being able to take the trolley, train, to school. VERY easy from Ocean Beach. Takes 15mins drops her off in middle of school. No freeway driving and parking hunting at school. It does get cold here, not like you are used to, but when people from Sweden are complaining it is cold. It is a different kind of cold. Thats why we are heading So. for the winter. So. California is not like the tourist brochures. Beach area housing is expensive and the beaches, surf, are crowded. But it has it moments. OB, Mission Beach or PB are full of SDSU students.
O'side, Carlsbad is a good region to be looking but be careful of a long, painful drive to the SDSU San Diego campus. There is a California State University campus in San Marcos, probably much closer to O'side, Carlsbad area. Use your exploratory trip to see the layout and experience the good and not so good. There's some good things about being here and there are a lot of not so good things.
I would stay away from North County if your wife is going to be commuting to SDSU. The traffic on the 5 freeway up there SUCKS! San Diego is interesting in that the closer you get to the center of the city the less bad the traffic.
Here is my opinion for where you should live:
Bay Park (92110): Home prices are lower there, since it is East of the 5 freeway. Most houses in the area have insane ocean and bay views. It is walking/biking distance to the trolley that goes directly to SDSU. Mission Beach is a 5 minute drive, OB is 4 minutes, Sunset Cliffs is 10 minutes, La Jolla reefs about 15 minutes.
Wagon trains will be forming at Kansas City in early April. You need to bring your own wagon or cart. You will need 4 oxen to pull your cart and 2 extras in case some of your oxen die on the way. If you use mules you will need 6 mules to pull your wagon and 4 extra mules cause they die easier than oxen. Horse teams are not exceptable as they are not hearty enough and eat to much. Bring at least 2 long rifles and a couple hand guns cause there might be unfriendly injuns on the way. Bring some cheap blankets, beads, mirrors and other trinket for tradin to the good injuns. Bring lots of flour, salt, salt pork, coffee and gun powder. Leave the damn furniture.rugs. and piano at home !!! They just clutter up the trail on the way when you gotta throw them away !! Bring a couple kegs for water and at least 1 keg of lard, You will need extra tack for your animals and don't forget lots of gunpowder and lead !! Axes knives and basic homesteading gear, Will need strong ropes for crossin rivers and getn up steep hills!! and remember lots of gun powder and lead !!! Ifn you bring granny shes prolly gonna die on the way so leave her home! Kids under 5 years old are gonna be a pain in the butt besides the Injuns like to steal kids !! Don't bring no whiskey for tradin or drinken , it causes to much trouble, but you can keep a couple bottles of medicinal whisky !! Bring a couple o surfboards, 1 long and one short.Epoxy is best cause they's gonna take a beatin in those wagons. There is a $ 500 fee to be paid in gold for the wagon master and guide fee ! Don't be lait cause we will leave without you !! Ambrose is gonna be the trail boss on the first wagon train out so try to sighn on for that one. Bring your VISA or MASTER card for when you get to Califrisco cause everything is expensive in Cali ( has to come around the horn by ship, ya know !!) Expect to live in your wagon for the first winter cause housing is expensive !! Ifn your expectin to see Arnold when you get there, forget about it !! Hes outa there !!! moved to mexico or Fiji or somewhere !!! Hope you have a good trip !! PS Don't forgit , bring lots o gun powder and lead. Oh, did I tell you about the gangs in Califrisco !! Maybe you better throw in a couple extra guns !!! Aloha !!!!!!!!!
ventura area. colleges are: ucsb 45minute drive north.csuci about 20 minutes southeast, cal lutheran 35 minutes south,csun 50 minutes south,plus many universities have extension centers nearby.rent for two bedroom house about 1,800.00/month.
Thanks all, this gives me a great deal to look at and consider. Time to do some hard nosed research. I appreciate all the input, and Wood Ogre...Mules over Horses eh? and only 2 boards? I do agree with the wet suits vs. trunks, no need to sweat so much if I don't have too. ha
