NY-er moving to SD- but where??

[scaredyclassic]

[quote=NYMom]Thanks for replying. Husband is from North Hollywood, his Mom is still there. And NOT in a fun, NOHO part. He would never move back to the Valley, and I really don’t like it either. When we visit, we drive over the hill almost daily or head to South Pas to eat, shop etc. I have looked at Calabasas, but shied away for those exact reasons you mentioned. That’s why I had hoped Thousand Oaks could be the answer, but neither of us liked it there.

He’s in Finance, but is in between jobs now and could switch careers altogether if he wanted to. If he had to be in LA for work, that would obviously affect the LA or OC decision, but he prefers to live in OC. Santa Monica I think is his ideal but he knows how important being on a bigger lot is to me, I’m just not willing to compromise, no matter how awesome the house or the neighborhood is, if I’m on top of my neighbors I will be miserable.[/quote]

He misses his mama.

My wife did too.

[scaredyclassic]

[quote=NYMom]He’s lived here for close to 15 years now and has hated it from the start. It was supposed to be a temporary move for work, but the co. took off and then we met. He’s been wanting to go back for about 8 years now. He’s just very unhappy here. Doesn’t like “the lifestyle,” the weather, or pretty much anything. He feels like he’s waited long enough, worked hard, and should be able to live where he wants to finally.[/quote]

Dudes making $, lives in an awesome spot, but doesn’t like the lifestyle?

I think you guys need to sign up for my intensive counseling course before any big moves.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=CA renter]NYMom,

I strongly second Flyer-in-HI’s (Brian’s) suggestion to ask your husband about his preferences, and also SDR’s suggestion to rent.

What area is your husband originally from, and exactly what is he trying to replicate? In what industry does he work, and is he able to work from home? Does he have to travel? IMHO, these are all important considerations, too.

Not sure if you’ve considered L.A., but if so, you might want to check out the San Fernando Valley, especially the south and west areas of the valley. It’s much “grittier” than San Diego, but there is a LOT more money up there if your husband doesn’t work in the mobile phone industry or biotech (which are both San Diego’s strengths).

Again, if L.A. is a consideration, you might consider the 91367 area (Woodland Hills), or 91372 (Calabasas) if they would be close to your husband’s work.

As for the downside, this is the area (Calabasas, specifically) is where the Kardashians, Britney Spears, and Justin Bieber live, among many others. There is a definite “see and be seen” attitude there, even among those who are not celebrities. Again, trying to find a down-to-earth area with good schools, high-end homes on large lots, a village feel (very difficult to find in California), etc. is not going to be easy. The schools in these zip codes, though, are the best public schools in the area.

If you are interested in the L.A. area, feel free to PM me, and I’ll do my best to point out certain areas that might interest you based on where your husband will work, etc.

For example, this is a more updated home, so more expensive; but this area has the larger lots that you seem to like, and many of the homes are larger, as well. And this area has glorious trees! 🙂

http://www.redfin.com/CA/Woodland-Hills/23141-Hatteras-St-91367/home/3238575

Or, build your own home:

http://www.redfin.com/CA/Woodland-Hills/23054-Erwin-St-91367/home/3217776

This one is in Hidden Hills, a guard-gated community:

http://www.redfin.com/CA/Hidden-Hills/23547-Long-Valley-Rd-91302/home/3297665

Or something in more of a master-planned development (I used to skate/bike/walk here fairly frequently when I lived up there, and it’s a really beautiful place, though it’s been really built up over the past 10-15 years):

http://www.redfin.com/CA/Calabasas/4520-Park-Verona-91302/home/3496744

Best of luck with your decision! Of course, I think you should really think about what you are leaving, too. It sounds like you live in a more idyllic place than what you’ll be able to find here.[/quote]

CAR, those were absolutely beautiful links. Thanks for sharing!

I s-o-o-o wished my college-bound kid would have been accepted into a particular program at CSUN but they didn’t quite make it (likely due to intense competition from their “service area” HS graduates). That area would have been a GREAT area for internships and jobs fresh out of college, as well.

They’re going to apply again for their junior year. Onward and upward 🙂

[bearishgurl]

NYMom, if your spouse wants to live in LA, there are big beautiful private lots with views which are cheaper than Pasadena (more in line with Poway’s prices and even below) in Diamond Bar and Chino Hills. Only problem is heat and necessity of AC (93-103 at least 6 mos yr) and distance to relatives (over 40 mi to N. Hollywood). But that’s not as far as Poway.

No villagey feel up there, though, but nice modern shopping available and good access to Fullerton, Anaheim, Brea and even as far as Irvine (since your spouse is a finance guy).

It feels like the country out there (due to hundreds of acres of dedicated open space) but is city-close.

[scaredyclassic]

If he’s looking for lifestyle diamond bar won’t cut it. I’m afraid we have to let the kids go and move into a really nice condo on laguna beach.

[scaredyclassic]

Nymom, today go to a bookstore and read the first 20 pages of vol. Two (2) of knaussgaards’ book. MY Struggle.

[spdrun]

What’s wrong with raising kids in an apartment? It’s done all the time throughout the world — living in an apartment isn’t a case of leprosy 🙂

[bewildering]

The most village feel place I know in San Diego is Bird Rock. But Bird Rock is not near the freeways, and you would not get a large lot. However, the schools are excellent, you are also right by the ocean.

Good luck. It will be exciting for your kids to be near the beach.

[bearishgurl]

[quote=bewildering]The most village feel place I know in San Diego is Bird Rock. But Bird Rock is not near the freeways, and you would not get a large lot. However, the schools are excellent, you are also right by the ocean.

Good luck. It will be exciting for your kids to be near the beach.[/quote]

Agree and I thought of this also, but what is available there for $1.25 – 1.75M? Square footage??

[bearishgurl]

[quote=scaredyclassic]If he’s looking for lifestyle diamond bar won’t cut it. I’m afraid we have to let the kids go and move into a really nice condo on laguna beach.[/quote]

Thanks for revealing your “retirement plans” here, scaredy 🙂

I’m uncertain WHO is actually looking for “lifestyle” here. (No disrespect intended to you, NYMom :)) I’m not sure either of them are. I was just thinking:

– Big lot – even pano view lot of countryside;
– Reasonable proximity to relatives (~1 hr); and,
– Proximity to OC finance centers (30 mins to 1 hr).

East LA County corridor has a HUGE swath of preserved open space … every bit as expansive as those in the Silicon Valley.

Of course, the west SF Valley (much more developed) is a also a major “finance center,” but NYMom stated they didn’t like it there. It can be very hot there as well. WOW, I am very impressed by the housing stock in there and bordering there, though! I really can’t think of anything to compare CAR’s links to in SD County … not even Muirlands (LJ).

edit: Ohhhh, I take that back …. Pt Loma Woods (92106) …. ma-a-a-ybe (w/o the resident paparazzi, of course :)).

[bewildering]

[quote=bearishgurl][quote=bewildering]The most village feel place I know in San Diego is Bird Rock. But Bird Rock is not near the freeways, and you would not get a large lot. However, the schools are excellent, you are also right by the ocean.

Good luck. It will be exciting for your kids to be near the beach.[/quote]

Agree and I thought of this also, but what is available there for $1.25 – 1.75M? Square footage??[/quote]

I wondered and had a look.

2500 sq foot for 1.5 million. But the lot size is not an acre.

http://www.redfin.com/CA/La-Jolla/5549-Waverly-Ave-92037/home/4937172

[FlyerInHi]

[quote=spdrun]What’s wrong with raising kids in an apartment? It’s done all the time throughout the world — living in an apartment isn’t a case of leprosy :)[/quote]

I agree.

I’d move to a smaller house in Santa Monica and remodel it. Hire an architect and do a modern beach design. Design affects the feeling of space and livability.

[FlyerInHi]

[quote=scaredyclassic]

Serious.

Ac is bad for the body like white flour. Messes with your ability to naturally regulate …

Also, $[/quote]

True…

lots of ways to be healthy and save $.

No need for AC in Santa Monica, except it’s nice to have AC on a hot day or when you have a party. Guests all over makes a house hot.

[scaredyclassic]

[quote=FlyerInHi][quote=spdrun]What’s wrong with raising kids in an apartment? It’s done all the time throughout the world — living in an apartment isn’t a case of leprosy :)[/quote]

I agree.

I’d move to a smaller house in Santa Monica and remodel it. Hire an architect and do a modern beach design. Design affects the feeling of space and livability.[/quote]

I grew up in a very small apt. It was fine. But when we got older all I wanted was out!!!!

[bewildering]

[quote=scaredyclassic]

I grew up in a very small apt. It was fine. But when we got older all I wanted was out!!!![/quote]

I grew up on farm 30 minutes by car from the city. As a kid all I wanted was anything in the city so I could hang out with my pals, not have an hour bus commute to school each way and be able to stay out later than the last bus. Nowadays I cannot step foot on a bus without feeling annoyed.

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