Is california a good state to move to?

[doglover]

Got married in Lake Tahoe overlooking Emerald Bay.
My brother went to Berkely in the 60's and I use to visit him alone when I was a young teen. What fun it was back then to visit the campus and walk down Telegraph Ave. After he graduated from graduate school at Cornell he moved just a few blocks from the beach in S.F. Great days!

[mothermayi]

Originally Posted by isabel

Placerville, yes. On the way to Reno/Tahoe. Most times just stop for food though. Haven't been that way in years though. Where I live now, Valley Springs, we usually go up 88 to the Tahoe area.

This winter has been really cold. We have gone through a lot of firewood. Half a cord in a month. I'm ready for spring...Doesn't usually start warming up here until March.

I'm actually more familiar with the San Francisco Bay Area. I grew up in El Sobrante, CA. I was a teenager back in the 60's. Berkeley was just a bus ride from my house. Use to get on BART train to San Francisco and just spend the day out there. I have friends that still live there.

Have also spent a lot of time in the Suisun City Area, although that was 15 years ago. Raised my two older boys there.

Izzy

It's been close to 25 years since I have been to the Placerville or Shingle Springs area.

What stands out in my mind the most in regard to Placerville were the holes in the ground were just opening up (right in peoples yards). They would be extremely deep and swallow up anything that was around it at the time. Turns out they were old abandoned mining shafts that had long been forgotten about. One opened up while we were there, a couple of doors down from where my friends lived. People were coming by and throwing all kinds of junk into it (broken patio furniture, trash cans, you name it as they were just trying to fill it back up with junk). Kind of weird and scary.


Then our friends took us over to Shingle Springs, they showed us an area, which was apparently still part of Shingle Springs at the time but the builder and residents of this one particular area wanted a new name - guess they didn't like the sound of Shingle Springs? There were beautiful homes, extremely wide streets, and low stop signs. The homes not only had 3 car garages but also airplane hangers attached to the home (now referred to as the Cameron Park area). So it was not unusual to drive down the street and have a small plane taxing down the road as well. I remember there was a reporter there at the time who had flown all the way from England just to write a story about for their newspaper.

Here's a link that tells a little bit more about it:

Shingle Springs/Cameron Park Chamber of Commerce - Our Community (Cameron Airpark Estates)

[idas980306]

It depends on what you want. The prices are higher but the living standard is also high.. Sure there is a lot of pollution in the big cities like LA or San Fran. But the weather is fine and I would not like to live in an other state than california!! We are living around 50minutes away from Los Angeles near the beach and it is like heaven on earth!

It depends on what YOU want!

[skytrekker]

I have visited Berkeley several times over the years- its a wild place in many ways-also known as 'Beserekely' The city is also the birth Place of 'California cuisine' at the famous Chez Panisse .

The Campus UC Berkeley- still a wildly idiosyncratic place- after all these years- though more conservative now then the 'Free Speech' days of the early 1960s.

[doglover]

My brother went to Berkeley during those wild times in the sixties of protests, sit ins and the opening of People's Park of which he was a part of. Telegraph Ave of the sixties was so wild for a teenage Valley girl to hang out at. I was able to visit with my brother by myself on ocassion and it was always an adventure. Now the campus is Yuppified with the Gap and other chain stores that have taken the place of the unique stores of the past. Still a beautiful place though.

[Miss RDA]

People read the thread again. It's obviously a troll.

[doglover]

Really? Not really sure what a troll is but if it describes someone trying to start an arguement, I think that person is history...so I will say, good bye there

[skytrekker]

Ever drive from the Bay shore freeway (US 101) up from SFO to 'The City'-? a total GAS- done it many times- want to to it again-soon.

[doglover]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

Ever drive from the Bay shore freeway (US 101) up from SFO to 'The City'-? a total GAS- done it many times- want to to it again-soon.

I don't know what SFO is sky? The 101 freeway runs from the San Fernando Valley toward Santa Barbara. Then I believe it becomes Hwy 1. You could take Hwy 1 or Interstate 5 to S.F. from L.A. 5 is quicker but ugly. Would take us about 5 1/2 hrs from the 5 and about 8 hours through Hwy 1.

[skytrekker]

SFO- San Francisco International Airport

[doglover]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

SFO- San Francisco International Airport

Ohhh.

[skytrekker]

If the OP was a troll- we certainly turned it around to a good thread!

[Cali-girl]

Originally Posted by nikolai

Ok, heres my situation. Me and my best friend want to move to CA, and I'm wanting to know if its a good choice. I have finished high school with a diploma, he's finishing up this semester for a diploma, we both have a nice 10 grand to spend a piece, and we want to get out of SC (at least I do, I think he likes it in CA cause of the drug laws, lol). Currently we reside in SC, and we both are heavy, albeit responsible, drug users; we are both very open minded, we are both liberal, I'm gay, we have the means to move to CA, and we are tired of the close-minded people in SC. Since SC is a right wing conservative state, pro-gun, anti-gay, close minded, and generally redneck state, its really difficult living here. Yes, we are essentially running away from our problems because we can, and because CA is alot better than SC.

I am not asking if we should move, but if California is a suitable place for us.

So with all this, is it worth moving across the continent?

In this economy, I wouldn't rec coming here unless at least one of you has a job lined up. And even then, if one is going to support the unemployed partner, then possibly power and dependency are going to be relationship issues, unless the unemployed person gets a job sooner than later.

Sorry,

~Cali-girl

[doglover]

Boy was that an old thread. I cannot imagine moving to Ca. straight out of high school with no skills or formal education in this economy. Even in a good economy, the jobs that require no skills or education are already taken by illegals or immigrants. Rent is higher, taxes are over 10%, gas is higher....get the point? Don't just dream...plan!

[doglover]

From my perspective as a resident of California my whole life, I enjoyed my teen years at the beach, weekends at Palm Springs, summers at San Diego, visits to Carmel, S.F. and a few National Forests, but as a mother and older and wiser, I couldn't wait to get out. I had a very good life both as a child and an adult in the Los Angeles area but always wanted to settle somewhere else. The excessive lifestyle that surrounded me and my family made me want to vomit. If I saw one more Escalade or Hummer, fake lips and boobs, blonde hair and women 50 plus years trying to look like their teenage daughters....well, and then the ugliness of so many parts of Los Angeles, San Bernadino County, Kern County, Lancaster, Palmdale, Riverside, YUCK! But that is where you have to live if you arent' making big enough bucks to live in a good school district with lovely homes in a walkable town, like most newbies are looking for. Just my opinion. You can't have a safe area with excellent schools without a high price tag people! It is a national issue, not just Ca.

[doglover]

As health conscious as you may think that California, particularly Los Angeles may be, you are in for a surprise. This article is from the Los Angeles Times today.

L.A. County has among state's worst heart disease and diabetes death rates

[doglover]

F.Y.I. if you are considering a move to Ca. and what to expect to pay with the new tax hikes.


California Sales Tax Rates Increase April 1, 2009

Part of California's budget legislation included an increase in the sales tax rates beginning April 1, 2009. The one-percent increase does not include any local assessments tied to the sales tax rates. The attached document includes the new rates for all areas in California, or you can go to the Board of Equalization web site for current rates.
Sales Tax Rates Effective April 1, 2009


But hey, the weather is great!

[catfish]

I kind-a think you have this backwords. california is a good state to move out of.

[doglover]

Very true.

[T.S.]

Originally Posted by catfish

I kind-a think you have this backwords. california is a good state to move out of.

I agree. I don't think I could be paid to move there. I have an aunt, uncle, and a couple cousins that recently escaped from Redlands, California back to Minnesota. They all seem to be enjoying life much more now.

[DesiArnez6]

I was originally thinking of making the move awhile ago, the economy immediately took THAT out of consideration. Any Californians with a detailed on the ground report? All I remember was seeing recently the tent cities and thinking....um no thanks, winter again up here (NY) it is I suppose.

[Cali-girl]

Originally Posted by DesiArnez6

I was originally thinking of making the move awhile ago, the economy immediately took THAT out of consideration. Any Californians with a detailed on the ground report? All I remember was seeing recently the tent cities and thinking....um no thanks, winter again up here (NY) it is I suppose.

I haven't seen any tent cities except on YouTube and my understanding is that city officials in the Inland Empire where the tents were, evicted the residents and that was that.

That stated, you really cannot detect that economic collapse has happened here unless you know where to look:

FAR LESS traffic on the roads and freeways,
More drivers taking care not to exceed the speed limit (I know!) because they cannot afford a ticket, and
Noticeable numbers of signs for For Lease/For Sale/For Rent/Units Available

Apartment buildings are hard hit by the downturn and so are commercial properties. Obviously, many residential properties are in trouble too and resets are coming in 2010.

~Cali-girl

[skytrekker]

You know I was reading in the L.A Times and San Francisco Chronicle about the recession in California- in Silicon Valley- San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara on the 101 Freeway and the I 280 freeway the traffic is much reduced as you have said Cali

When I was last in the bay area in 2003- after the IT bust 2000-2001 I saw many empty buildings in San Francisco and the south bay- this time around it is far worse.

[Cali-girl]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

You know I was reading in the L.A Times and San Francisco Chronicle about the recession in California- in Silicon Valley- San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara on the 101 Freeway and the I 280 freeway the traffic is much reduced as you have said Cali

When I was last in the bay area 9n 2003- after the IT bust 2000-2001 I saw many empty buildings in San Francisco and the south bay- this time around it is far worse.

Yeah, I would say its worse than the dot.com meltdown, most definitely.

One example of many: we were on the 85 south to Gilroy Sunday a.m. and looking back in the rearview mirror, there were no cars behind us at all for 100 (one hundred) yards.

Rents in the SV and the Peninsula are down from 2007 - I would say that a $1700/mo in Sunnyvale/Santa Clara/N San Jose = 2 BR/2BA TH with a 1-car garage is now $1425/mo on average.

Mtn View is more expensive still, but still lower than 2007. Take about $200-$400 off the rent from 2007 and you'll be in the ball park.

Los Altos/Palo Alto/Menlo Park are still expensive too however rents have dropped similar to Mountain View. Or, you get more space for less rent - a LL is asking the same rent for a 2-BR/1/BA/carport that they previously in 2007 would require for a 1BR/1BA with on street parking.

[doglover]

Originally Posted by Cali-girl

Yeah, I would say its worse than the dot.com meltdown, most definitely.

One example of many: we were on the 85 south to Gilroy Sunday a.m. and looking back in the rearview mirror, there were no cars behind us at all for 100 (one hundred) yards.

Rents in the SV and the Peninsula are down from 2007 - I would say that a $1700/mo in Sunnyvale/Santa Clara/N San Jose = 2 BR/2BA TH with a 1-car garage is now $1425/mo on average.

Mtn View is more expensive still, but still lower than 2007. Take about $200-$400 off the rent from 2007 and you'll be in the ball park.

Los Altos/Palo Alto/Menlo Park are still expensive too however rents have dropped similar to Mountain View. Or, you get more space for less rent - a LL is asking the same rent for a 2-BR/1/BA/carport that they previously in 2007 would require for a 1BR/1BA with on street parking.

Did you go to the Garlic Festival in Gilroy?

[skytrekker]

I remember driving north on US 101 through Gilroy and smelling the garlic- it is the garlic capital of the world.

For me I love the towns of San Carlos & Menlo Park---as you said Cali- still expensive but well off the highs of 2006-2007,

North of the Golden Gate I love San Rafael, & Mill Valley-from some economic blogs housing even here is down 30% in price.

[Cali-girl]

No Garlic Festival for me, at least not yet, lol...:)

You'd think I'd been to one by now.

Kinda funny, but everytime, everytime I pass through Gilroy on the 101, I smell the garlic. I think there's some sort of processing facility for the garlic that produces the odor.

Yeah, skytrekker, Marin/San Raf has low traffic there too esp north of the GG Bridge. Was there last month, way over on the other side of the Bay near Scott Peterson's residence on Death Row, and traffic was very light even at mid-day on the fwy.

[skytrekker]

Well, the Golden Gate Bridge can be a real bottleneck for commuters going into 'The City' and leaving at rush hour. Years ago they thought of adding a second deck- but that was shot down because it would have destroyed the aesthetics and beauty of the world famous bridge.

Those in Marin and Sonoma county who travel on 101 can attest the traffic issues- they where debating on widening 101 around Santa Rosa- but last time I was there nothing had been done.