California lifestyle?
03-09-2019, 04:57 PM
#61
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03-09-2019, 05:35 PM
#63
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Thread Starter
WOW, WOW, WOW! Thank ya'll for all of the great info! I didn't expect to get this many responses. My wife and I need to digest it all!
Our main reason for considering a move is weather. OKC weather just blows, especially the winter. My wife has an autoimmune disorder that's significantly worsened when its cold, so we are wanting to get somewhere warmer. We aren't sure if its just a vacation home during the winter months or a permanent home, hence why we are considering Palm Springs (we are big architecture fans).
The number of people, politics, traffic, taxes, etc are all things we are worried about in regards to California, esp the LA area which is where I seem to have the best job opportunity. Ventura is also a possible landing spot for work. Just after a quick skim of responses, I am a bit disappointed to hear that its hard to get out of LA traffic to get to the good drives even on the weekends. Oh, and I looked at the Santa Monica homes on Redfin. Holey smokes!
Our main reason for considering a move is weather. OKC weather just blows, especially the winter. My wife has an autoimmune disorder that's significantly worsened when its cold, so we are wanting to get somewhere warmer. We aren't sure if its just a vacation home during the winter months or a permanent home, hence why we are considering Palm Springs (we are big architecture fans).
The number of people, politics, traffic, taxes, etc are all things we are worried about in regards to California, esp the LA area which is where I seem to have the best job opportunity. Ventura is also a possible landing spot for work. Just after a quick skim of responses, I am a bit disappointed to hear that its hard to get out of LA traffic to get to the good drives even on the weekends. Oh, and I looked at the Santa Monica homes on Redfin. Holey smokes!
03-09-2019, 05:38 PM
#64
There are so many things I hate about California, but I doubt I’ll ever leave. The weather and the unimaginable beauty of the Central Coast is worth all the negatives. But I’d never live in LA. It’s basically Dallas with better weather.
03-09-2019, 05:46 PM
#65
Pro
WOW, WOW, WOW! Thank ya'll for all of the great info! I didn't expect to get this many responses. My wife and I need to digest it all!
Our main reason for considering a move is weather. OKC weather just blows, especially the winter. My wife has an autoimmune disorder that's significantly worsened when its cold, so we are wanting to get somewhere warmer. We aren't sure if its just a vacation home during the winter months or a permanent home, hence why we are considering Palm Springs (we are big architecture fans).
The number of people, politics, traffic, taxes, etc are all things we are worried about in regards to California, esp the LA area which is where I seem to have the best job opportunity. Ventura is also a possible landing spot for work. Just after a quick skim of responses, I am a bit disappointed to hear that its hard to get out of LA traffic to get to the good drives even on the weekends. Oh, and I looked at the Santa Monica homes on Redfin. Holey smokes!
Our main reason for considering a move is weather. OKC weather just blows, especially the winter. My wife has an autoimmune disorder that's significantly worsened when its cold, so we are wanting to get somewhere warmer. We aren't sure if its just a vacation home during the winter months or a permanent home, hence why we are considering Palm Springs (we are big architecture fans).
The number of people, politics, traffic, taxes, etc are all things we are worried about in regards to California, esp the LA area which is where I seem to have the best job opportunity. Ventura is also a possible landing spot for work. Just after a quick skim of responses, I am a bit disappointed to hear that its hard to get out of LA traffic to get to the good drives even on the weekends. Oh, and I looked at the Santa Monica homes on Redfin. Holey smokes!
If you do decide to come out here, I would be happy to show you around haha.
03-09-2019, 05:49 PM
#66
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Thread Starter
Totally agree with that. We lived in Dallas for 5 years and still spend a decent amount of time there for work, nearby tracks, and concerts. Its a concrete landscape of douchery and thirty thousand dollar millionaires. Its nice to visit for short periods of time, probably like LA, but I could never see us moving back. I lived outside of Austin in 2004-2006 and loved it. Its changed so much from then and not necessarily for the better. Its still a great city and has been a consideration for us as well.
03-09-2019, 06:02 PM
#67
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WOW, WOW, WOW! Thank ya'll for all of the great info! I didn't expect to get this many responses. My wife and I need to digest it all!
Our main reason for considering a move is weather. OKC weather just blows, especially the winter. My wife has an autoimmune disorder that's significantly worsened when its cold, so we are wanting to get somewhere warmer. We aren't sure if its just a vacation home during the winter months or a permanent home, hence why we are considering Palm Springs (we are big architecture fans).
The number of people, politics, traffic, taxes, etc are all things we are worried about in regards to California, esp the LA area which is where I seem to have the best job opportunity. Ventura is also a possible landing spot for work. Just after a quick skim of responses, I am a bit disappointed to hear that its hard to get out of LA traffic to get to the good drives even on the weekends. Oh, and I looked at the Santa Monica homes on Redfin. Holey smokes!
Our main reason for considering a move is weather. OKC weather just blows, especially the winter. My wife has an autoimmune disorder that's significantly worsened when its cold, so we are wanting to get somewhere warmer. We aren't sure if its just a vacation home during the winter months or a permanent home, hence why we are considering Palm Springs (we are big architecture fans).
The number of people, politics, traffic, taxes, etc are all things we are worried about in regards to California, esp the LA area which is where I seem to have the best job opportunity. Ventura is also a possible landing spot for work. Just after a quick skim of responses, I am a bit disappointed to hear that its hard to get out of LA traffic to get to the good drives even on the weekends. Oh, and I looked at the Santa Monica homes on Redfin. Holey smokes!
palm spring architecture are mostly "fake modern"...
trying too hard...
yes I am an architect.
from your description of weather needs, nor cal is out. SD and Santa Monica area of LA is best
yes anywhere pleasant in CA has frightening real estate prices.
anything in Santa Monica less than 1.5mm is either bathroom sized or a tear down.
and yes, if you live in LA, you cannot drive out of LA. I tried. it's never ending traffic any day any time.
politics in CA. I really don't feel much of that. I just found out that Obama is no longer the president b/c I see a funny man with blondish hair on TV named tump? the subtitle says POTUS... I need to read up on that. I also am not aware who our governor is. I enjoyed watching Arnold, but was told he is no longer in Sacramento.... so if you just let it go, there is no politics.
but traffic YES
tax... YES.
03-09-2019, 06:18 PM
#68
OKC is that part of Russia?
palm spring architecture are mostly "fake modern"...
trying too hard...
yes I am an architect.
from your description of weather needs, nor cal is out. SD and Santa Monica area of LA is best
yes anywhere pleasant in CA has frightening real estate prices.
anything in Santa Monica less than 1.5mm is either bathroom sized or a tear down.
and yes, if you live in LA, you cannot drive out of LA. I tried. it's never ending traffic any day any time.
politics in CA. I really don't feel much of that. I just found out that Obama is no longer the president b/c I see a funny man with blondish hair on TV named tump? the subtitle says POTUS... I need to read up on that. I also am not aware who our governor is. I enjoyed watching Arnold, but was told he is no longer in Sacramento.... so if you just let it go, there is no politics.
but traffic YES
tax... YES.
palm spring architecture are mostly "fake modern"...
trying too hard...
yes I am an architect.
from your description of weather needs, nor cal is out. SD and Santa Monica area of LA is best
yes anywhere pleasant in CA has frightening real estate prices.
anything in Santa Monica less than 1.5mm is either bathroom sized or a tear down.
and yes, if you live in LA, you cannot drive out of LA. I tried. it's never ending traffic any day any time.
politics in CA. I really don't feel much of that. I just found out that Obama is no longer the president b/c I see a funny man with blondish hair on TV named tump? the subtitle says POTUS... I need to read up on that. I also am not aware who our governor is. I enjoyed watching Arnold, but was told he is no longer in Sacramento.... so if you just let it go, there is no politics.
but traffic YES
tax... YES.
03-09-2019, 06:55 PM
#69
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Another amazing place is Manhattan Beach. Also very expensive. Also love Palisades and Santa Monica, Brentwood or Cheviot Hills. Traffic does suck big time. Homeless problem is getting worse. It’s expensive. But worth it to me. I’m in tech and it’s here in Silicon Beach and I have an office in the valley in Nor Cal too.
I play golf early. 6:30am tee off. Home by 11. Drive tomorrow. Also early. My tennis club is walking distance. And my golf club is 20 minutes.
In Bay Area, check out Orinda and Lafayette. Very suburban, safe, trees, hikes etc etc.
I play golf early. 6:30am tee off. Home by 11. Drive tomorrow. Also early. My tennis club is walking distance. And my golf club is 20 minutes.
In Bay Area, check out Orinda and Lafayette. Very suburban, safe, trees, hikes etc etc.
03-09-2019, 06:56 PM
#70
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^ I don't know how many spaces I need. but I am know to hit a lot of stuff with my trailer (inc the poles at bridge toll booth, and I wondered why CHP was waving at me).... so ppl often give me extra space.
03-09-2019, 06:58 PM
#71
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Another amazing place is Manhattan Beach. Also very expensive. Also love Palisades and Santa Monica, Brentwood or Cheviot Hills. Traffic does suck big time. Homeless problem is getting worse. It’s expensive. But worth it to me. I’m in tech and it’s here in Silicon Beach and I have an office in the valley in Nor Cal too.
I play golf early. 6:30am tee off. Home by 11. Drive tomorrow. Also early. My tennis club is walking distance. And my golf club is 20 minutes.
In Bay Area, check out Orinda and Lafayette. Very suburban, safe, trees, hikes etc etc.
I play golf early. 6:30am tee off. Home by 11. Drive tomorrow. Also early. My tennis club is walking distance. And my golf club is 20 minutes.
In Bay Area, check out Orinda and Lafayette. Very suburban, safe, trees, hikes etc etc.
if you like some kind of 'city' aspect, the higher end parts of rock ridge, Berkeley hills and Oakland hills are nice. and there you have REAL architecture.
03-09-2019, 07:10 PM
#72
It’s crazy. But it is, what it is.
I don’t mean to sound like a douche and I’m not claiming to know anything about your financial situation. The following statement is really just for anyone considering CA, specifically LA;
If 2-4M for a single family home is just not doable (lease or buy), don’t move to LA. That is what it costs to live in the more desirable areas where you will be surrounded by the things you would otherwise be constantly driving to. Could you do LA on a 1M or less housing budget? Sure. But the experience is going to be totally different and likely suck pretty bad. When I hear complaints from those that left LA, it’s usually a lot (not all) from people that just couldn’t afford to do LA right at this point in their lives. If they would have had a 3-4M housing budget and no lengthy required commute, most of them would have had a very different experience.
Personally, I knew I wanted to be here about 10 years ago and it was a big goal of mine when I started my first business. It took me 7 years to get to a place financially where I could move to CA and enjoy LA the way it is meant to be enjoyed.
I just wouldn’t recommend CA or LA as a place to try and do on a budget. I’m not saying this is your situation by any means. Again, I’m just speaking to anyone who might be reading this thread and considering making the move without the necessary budget to do it right.
I don’t mean to sound like a douche and I’m not claiming to know anything about your financial situation. The following statement is really just for anyone considering CA, specifically LA;
If 2-4M for a single family home is just not doable (lease or buy), don’t move to LA. That is what it costs to live in the more desirable areas where you will be surrounded by the things you would otherwise be constantly driving to. Could you do LA on a 1M or less housing budget? Sure. But the experience is going to be totally different and likely suck pretty bad. When I hear complaints from those that left LA, it’s usually a lot (not all) from people that just couldn’t afford to do LA right at this point in their lives. If they would have had a 3-4M housing budget and no lengthy required commute, most of them would have had a very different experience.
Personally, I knew I wanted to be here about 10 years ago and it was a big goal of mine when I started my first business. It took me 7 years to get to a place financially where I could move to CA and enjoy LA the way it is meant to be enjoyed.
I just wouldn’t recommend CA or LA as a place to try and do on a budget. I’m not saying this is your situation by any means. Again, I’m just speaking to anyone who might be reading this thread and considering making the move without the necessary budget to do it right.
Last edited by phow; 03-09-2019 at 07:32 PM.
03-09-2019, 07:23 PM
#73
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If you’re considering smaller towns SLO and Sonoma are also great. Not as expensive as Bay or LA, but awesome options. So many choices, that are great but be prepared to bring the $$ or come here for the opportunity. You put up with some stuff but it is a good lifestyle and a land of opportunity..
03-09-2019, 07:35 PM
#75
I'll weigh in, even if it's repetitive to what many other's have said.
Pros:
Best weather. Qualified in the con list below
Best food.
Some of the best golf
Some of the best ski
Real estate appreciation
Best tech
Some of the highest comp
Lots of tracks
Lots and lots and lots of cars and money and planes and boats and money and stuff and money
Best beaches
Massive area
Cons:
Tax rates
Real estate prices
Anywhere other than South OC, West LA, Bay Area, San Diego is a vast land of dirt and heat
Morally, politically, financially bankrupt
Vacuous people
Holy crap can the traffic be any worse from OC to LA, from OC to OC, from LA to LA, from anywhere to anywhere
Women who wear gloves and scarfs when the temp drops in the 50s
Paleo, Vegan, Vegetarian, Keto, Bulletproof, Atkins and every other made up term for some bs fad diet that infects every conversation
Health care
Immigration
Pros:
Best weather. Qualified in the con list below
Best food.
Some of the best golf
Some of the best ski
Real estate appreciation
Best tech
Some of the highest comp
Lots of tracks
Lots and lots and lots of cars and money and planes and boats and money and stuff and money
Best beaches
Massive area
Cons:
Tax rates
Real estate prices
Anywhere other than South OC, West LA, Bay Area, San Diego is a vast land of dirt and heat
Morally, politically, financially bankrupt
Vacuous people
Holy crap can the traffic be any worse from OC to LA, from OC to OC, from LA to LA, from anywhere to anywhere
Women who wear gloves and scarfs when the temp drops in the 50s
Paleo, Vegan, Vegetarian, Keto, Bulletproof, Atkins and every other made up term for some bs fad diet that infects every conversation
Health care
Immigration
Last edited by mass27; 03-09-2019 at 10:05 PM.