Influence Me to Move to California

[Hoosierland King]

What major cities of California have low crime rates?

What is the average weather like in Southern California?

Is San Diego,Oceanside, or Santa Rosa good towns/cities to live in?

How are the schools in these areas?

How are the job oppurtunities in these areas?























(I'm just doing this to up traffic here on the California board....But seriously try to influence me)

[doglover]

Lowest crime rates in Southern California are always Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks which is in Ventura County. I lived in the area for over 12 years. Many people have moved to this area from the San Fernando Valley for the low crime and good schools.

Santa Rosa? Up north? Good weather, bad schools. San Diego...great weather...best in the nation where the average temp is 75 degrees. Good schools are in neighboring La Jolla...very wealthy...good schools and wealthy go together in Ca.

Average weather for most of CA. is mediteranian. Southern Ca. especially L.A. is really desert like. Rainy season...when there is one is Feb. Summer starts mid-May and can be in the 100's through October when the Santa Ana winds start which also starts fire season. It came early this year.
Job oppOrtunities are poor all through Ca. Even the Govenor has to sell things on ebay to make money for the state.

[Miss RDA]

Is the crime rate lower in places like Simi Valley and Moorepark because of all the cops that live there? Actually it's all form of law enforcement as well as Fire department. I last lived in Ventura country in 2004 and there was a marked difference from the mid 80's when I would go there to visit with friends while living in the San Fernando Valley.

In any case it's catching up with LA and I noticed it when I last lived there. Gangs are spreading their tentacles from notorious parts of Oxnard and Ventura. Even quiet little hamlets like Fillmore a place you could sleep with your doors unlocked has it's fair share of gang problems.

[doglover]

You're completely right Raggy. Fillmore and Santa Paula are not areas to live in if you want good schools either. Too remote for me anyway. At one point in 2000 Simi Valley was rated safest city for it's size in the country and I'm sure the fact that lot's of law enforcement lives there helps and because it is so tucked away but again....schools are less than desirable. They can't compete with Oak Park, Westlake Village and Thousand Oaks. Besides, traffic is bad enough without having to travel from Simi to someplace where civilization and any culture exists. It's just cheaper.

[Miss RDA]

Fillmore schools certainly suck and is getting worse. People who can afford it send their kids to shcools like St Bonaventure in Ventura. I check up on the Ventura County Star often and there is always some type of gang crime being committed. There also is a big drug culture in places like Ventura and Oxnard. It's so visible. Camarillo and to some extent Simi Valley, but you would have to know where it is. Also unlike LA and the Valley where you have different roads out. You are limited in Simi Valley. There is only one main way out - the 118 a freeway you don't want to be if you are up to no good. Still if you live in parts of Fillmore near and around Bardsdale and towards the country club it's nice. We never had any problem out there.

[doglover]

My brother posted this to me today. Take a look Raggy.

http://laist.com/2009/09/06/water_main_break_floods_ventura_blv.php?gallery0Pi c=1#gallery

[Miss RDA]

Yes I was going to post something about it, saw it this morning. Shocking or what Dickens street is in Sherman Oaks if I recall, so did it reach Sherman Oaks too. All the same it is scary.

I found more pics here

[Hoosierland King]

Originally Posted by doglover

Lowest crime rates in Southern California are always Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks which is in Ventura County. I lived in the area for over 12 years. Many people have moved to this area from the San Fernando Valley for the low crime and good schools.

Santa Rosa? Up north? Good weather, bad schools. San Diego...great weather...best in the nation where the average temp is 75 degrees. Good schools are in neighboring La Jolla...very wealthy...good schools and wealthy go together in Ca.

Average weather for most of CA. is mediteranian. Southern Ca. especially L.A. is really desert like. Rainy season...when there is one is Feb. Summer starts mid-May and can be in the 100's through October when the Santa Ana winds start which also starts fire season. It came early this year.
Job oppOrtunities are poor all through Ca. Even the Govenor has to sell things on ebay to make money for the state.

What makes the schools in Santa Rosa bad?

What is the average income for the cities you guys have mentioned like Simi Valley and Thousand Oaks? They sound like decent areas.

[skytrekker]

I spent time in Sonoma county- its a nice place to live- stunning scenery. Santa Rosa is a nice city- but as Doglover said the schools have declined- and there is a growing gang problem. Crime has increased in Santa Rosa substantially since the mid 1980s.

I spent time there in the mid 1980s and I thought it was 'Eden' the area since then has seen a huge influx of population- and the traffic on US 101 now southbound into Marin County, and the Golden Gate can make for a horrible commute into San Francisco. Likewise the traffic across the bridge north at rush hour can be tough- the curves,hills and turns on US 101 into the southern part of Marin county may be thrilling- but take skill.

Weather is A 4 season version of a Mediterranean climate (dry subtropical)- still very mild- but not as 'boring' as southern California- offering some seasonal change with temps in mid winter in the mid 50s by day-and dropping to freezing at night. Winter can see large amounts of rain- and the flooding of the Russian river has caused havoc.

Many vineyards, orchards. Beautiful coastline in Sonoma County. Lots of recreational opportunities, and only an hour or so from San Francisco (with light traffic)

I liked the town of Sebastopol - but its expensive-lies just west of Santa Rosa. Another smaller town to the north of Santa Rosa-Cloverdale is quiet- but schools are iffy- and the commute southbound to Santa Rosa can be congested.

[Hoosierland King]

What aboud Bodega Bay? Would it be a good place for families wanting good schools and low crime?

[skytrekker]

Bodega Bay is a tiny town, made famous by the early 1960s Hitchcock film 'The Birds'
Actually, the town for the most part burned down in the late 1960s. The Tides Restaurant remains however as a tourist destination.

As Doglover has said, in California, the towns that are the most wealthy- have the best school- towns with middle class folks sadly have under preforming schools in CA.

Private schools in California in many cases do not come up to the standards of most public schools in Connecticut.

[Hoosierland King]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

Bodega Bay is a tiny town, made famous by the early 1960s Hitchcock film 'The Birds'
Actually, the town for the most part burned down in the late 1960s. The Tides Restaurant remains however as a tourist destination.

As Doglover has said, in California, the towns that are the most wealthy- have the best school- towns with middle class folks sadly have under preforming schools in CA.

Private schools in California in many cases do not come up to the standards of most public schools in Connecticut.

I love the movie "The Birds"

Ahh I understand about the schooling.