I am planning on moving to California, to live, next year after i finish my uni degree. is it a nice place to live? I am thinking perhaps Santa Barbra or Santa Monica.
which are the nicest .. (and safest) places to live in California?
:)

I do.

It's been years and years and years since I visited Santa Barbara, but I remember it as quiet and laid back. A "nice" place to visit for relaxation. I have absolutely no real knowledge of what it's like now. It may have more hustle and bustle now.

I live in Santa Monica. Housing is expensive here. If I didn't rent from my brother-in-law there would be no way that I could afford to live here. The weather is moderate year-round, there is a local bus system, a local college, the historic pier. Lots of filming occurs. But there is also lots of construction and road work, and a lot of the homeless come to SM because of the moderate weather and for much of the aid that is offered to them by various organizations. But they are still homeless, so they mill about everywhere. Since I've always been here, I really can't compare safety with other areas. There are some seedy areas in most every community; SM is no different in that respect.

I DONT sadly I wish I did BUT I intend to someday (when I find one of my friends thats willing to move there with me) But I do go there every year to visit my Aunt I"ve been all over southern california I PREFER Orange county (Longbeach,BelmontShores,Huntington Beach, Anahiem that area) over LA its closer to the oceans, its cooler, Less smog and it SEEMS like the crime rate is lower in that area oh and its also less crowded then the LA area BUT if you wanted to visited say Universal studios or Hollywood blvd or even Beverly hills its only about an or so away from the Orange county area.

I do, Sacramento area... weather is usually nice, not today but usually. Not too hot, not too cold. And there's alot of stuff to do here, California capital, Old Sacramento, ALOT of museums, big malls, and other cool places to visit. I like it here. I'd like to live in L.A. though, one day I'm gonna move down there.

Don't live in Benicia, it SUCKS. I used to live there.

Originally posted by peter may
I am planning on moving to California, to live, next year after i finish my uni degree. is it a nice place to live? I am thinking perhaps Santa Barbra or Santa Monica.
which are the nicest .. (and safest) places to live in California?
:)
Santa Barbara and Santa Monica are expensive.
"Nicest places": Beverly Hills, Bel Air (both very expensive), Westwood, Pacific Palisades, the Northern San Gabriel Valley (La Canada, La Cresenta, Montrose, portions of Sunland and Tijunga), portions of Pasadena, Burbank, Glendale. In the San Fernando Valley, the Southern parts (Encino, Studio City, Tarzana, Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks) and Northern parts (Chatsworth, Northridge, Porter Ranch, Granada Hills) are the most desirable.

"Safest places": Thousands Oaks, Simi Valley (both in Ventura County), Santa Clarita/Newhall.

If you like cool to warm summers, choose the L.A. Basin, especially along the coast.
If you like very warm to hot summers, choose any of the valleys- San Gabriel, San Fernando, Santa Clarita, Conejo. Also, cities such as Riverside, San Bernardino, Hemet and Ontario have hot summers.

I was born in the San Fernando Valley, so I am very familiar with it. Before a lot of the development started, many times you would see people riding horses down the streets, and just down my street and around the corner, there was a horse-renting place (on large piece of undeveloped land which now contains houses).

What are you talking about?!... Northridge, Glendale, and Burbank aren't very nice. In fact, Bervely Hills gets very ugly, and dangerous at night.

BTW, I live in the coast area. (Palos Verdes/ Torrance)

I live in San Diego.

Originally posted by SBTB Geek
What are you talking about?!... Northridge, Glendale, and Burbank aren't very nice. In fact, Bervely Hills gets very ugly, and dangerous at night.



Not really. Northride and Glendale are very nice. They're quiet and beautiful, but Burbank is not so pretty. About Beverly Hills, it all depends on what part you live in. Some parts are nice, and some parts do get kind of rough at night.


Anyways, I live in Westwood and it's nice although i'd rather live in the valley.

Originally posted by ILuvJoandBlair


Not really. Northride and Glendale are very nice.

No.

Originally posted by SBTB Geek
What are you talking about?!... Northridge, Glendale, and Burbank aren't very nice. In fact, Bervely Hills gets very ugly, and dangerous at night.

BTW, I live in the coast area. (Palos Verdes/ Torrance)
Beverly Hills north of Sunset Blvd. is the best part.
I was not talking about the southern part of Northridge (south of Parthenia). The northern part is very nice... $400,000+ homes, still some open areas and parks (even though most of the area is developed), out of the smog and fog zone (the eastern valley has more of both). The rounded Santa Susana Mountains practically in your backyard, to the north. Some areas are still zoned to allow owning horses. The crime rate in Northridge, Glendale and Burbank is well below the valley average (and much lower than San Fernando, Sun Valley, Van Nuys and Pacoima). Burbank has its own police dep't, which is a good idea.
Yes, I've been in the Palos Verdes area a few times- very nice (expensive, but nice). Also a very nice area and some great views.

I don't think you want to live in Richmond, CA. I was just watching the news and they found a female and infant in the bay.

Originally posted by Avril Lavigne
I do, Sacramento area... weather is usually nice, not today but usually. Not too hot, not too cold. And there's alot of stuff to do here, California capital, Old Sacramento, ALOT of museums, big malls, and other cool places to visit. I like it here. I'd like to live in L.A. though, one day I'm gonna move down there.

Uhh...do we live in the same Sacramento? Because it get's to damn near 110 in August, and that to me is pretty damn hot. :lol:

[every Californian] "At least it's a dry heat!" [/every Californian]

:mad: **angrily shakes fist**


I live in status-symbol land*, about three towns out from Sac. And I've got this advice for you on moving here: DON'T! Run! Run away! Save your soul before it's too late! This place is a trap!! Hell on Earth, I tell ya!


*Another Pleasant Valley Sunday
here in Status-symbol land.
Rows of houses, they all look the same
and no one seems to care.

thanx guys for your replies, do you get many english people living in california

Oh, I'm sure that there are lots and lots of Brits here. I do know that there are a few British stores, pubs and restaurants right here in SM alone. They've been in business for years.

i honestly cant wait to move there, it beats england hands down

Originally posted by Krystal Lake


Uhh...do we live in the same Sacramento? Because it get's to damn near 110 in August, and that to me is pretty damn hot. :lol:

[every Californian] "At least it's a dry heat!" [/every Californian]

:mad: **angrily shakes fist**


I live in status-symbol land*, about three towns out from Sac. And I've got this advice for you on moving here: DON'T! Run! Run away! Save your soul before it's too late! This place is a trap!! Hell on Earth, I tell ya!


*Another Pleasant Valley Sunday
here in Status-symbol land.
Rows of houses, they all look the same
and no one seems to care.


yeah it does get pretty hot but all places do, but I don't ever really have problems with the weather... it's a hell of a lot better than Florida. That place has the most horrible weather.

Originally posted by peter may
i honestly cant wait to move there, it beats england hands down
I'll post some pics when I get a chance. (I was going to anyway.)

California pics:

Here is a nice view looking toward Chatsworth along the 118 freeway. A nice, clear day.

Looking southeast from the hills above (north) of Chatsworth.

This view is looking south from Northridge/Porter Ranch. Good view of the San Fernando Valley and the Santa Monica Mountains. If you look closely, slightly to the right-center, beyond the mountains, the skyscrapers of downtown Los Angeles can be seen (about 35 miles from where I took the photo).

An aerial photo taken above the San Fernando Valley (my brother used to fly an airplane). Looking southwest, the mountain range is the Santa Monica Mts. Beyond the mountains, to the right, is the Pacific Ocean. Also visible is the coastline (the white strip), and to the left of that, the L.A. Basin. Palos Verdes penninsula is in the background, slightly left of center and to the right is Santa Catalina Island.

it also depends alot on your work.Santa Monica is great I lived there for 18 yrs.You have the beach,.S.M peer.,You have the brentwood country mart.you have santa monica place.there is alot to do.you also have venice beach.What do you do for work that makes want to or have to go to L.A.if I can help.I lived in L.A for 18 of 35 yrs but still know L.A pretty damn well.my name is Chris so if want to email me some person questions or want a private email tour email me AT CHPK@erols.com.

what are you majoring in?Are you Single and not to be nosy or snobby but your fianancial situation will dictate where you live probably. Do you know any people out in C.A.If I can help in any way to steer you in the right direction let me know.The other thing is health issues. California health issues aren't what they use to be so if you have any breathing problems LA is a good place to stay away from especially down town.Pacific Palisades,westwood or nice and fair price wise I guess.Again If I can help let me know

I've never been to California but I wish that I have. So I don't know what it is like...

Crystal :ufo:

thanks harper, that very nice of you

i work in the media business. computer related. i am majoring in Multimedia Systems BSc hons degree.
the idea of living in california has always seemed to appeal to me, i went there on vacation in 1998 and really enjoyed it. america has a certain great buzz about it that the UK doesnt have....also the nice hot weather beats uk's miserable weather + the us is much cheaper than britain so you get more for your money

I live in Santa Clarita, California....live here! It's nice and I honestly wouldn't want to live any place else...they're building more homes and so more and more landscape is going down...sigh...but we have cool things here. Shopping, plenty of restaurants, etc. Plus you've got Magic Mountain five minutes away and you can get to Disneyland in less than an hour from here. :D

well a year has passed and have finished my degree, i am now looking at apartments in Lancaster and palmdale, what types of areas are these, nice??

:)

I was just at California for vacation.
I was there July 5 and I just got back a few hours ago :)

Just in case you're wondering, I was at San Francisco, San Diego, and Los Angeles.

Originally posted by peter may
I am planning on moving to California, to live, next year after i finish my uni degree. is it a nice place to live? I am thinking perhaps Santa Barbra or Santa Monica.
which are the nicest .. (and safest) places to live in California?
:) I live in California, and I highly recommend Santa Barbara which is a gorgeous place and is a lot nicer than Santa Monica, which is kinda of run down...

Originally posted by Undercover Angel
I live in California, and I highly recommend Santa Barbara which is a gorgeous place and is a lot nicer than Santa Monica, which is kinda of run down...


My sister goes to UCSB and lives in Santa Barbara for most of the year. She likes it. I've been there a couple of times and it was great.

Originally posted by Brian
My sister goes to UCSB and lives in Santa Barbara for most of the year. She likes it. I've been there a couple of times and it was great. I love Santa Barbara, it is gorgeous up there, but not as pretty as Del Mar though;)

Originally posted by peter may
I am planning on moving to California, to live, next year after i finish my uni degree. is it a nice place to live? I am thinking perhaps Santa Barbra or Santa Monica.
which are the nicest .. (and safest) places to live in California?
:)

I used too, I moved back to Ohio in 1992. I liked it out there, I lived in Sacramento and Elk Grove. I thought it was a pretty decent place to live :)

No and I don't want to live there.

Visit? Of course. Live there? NO!

Originally posted by Brent88
No and I don't want to live there.

Visit? Of course. Live there? NO! why? we're the only state that matters.

What's everyones favorite city in California?