Possible Move to SoCal...

1501 Views 12 Replies 0 Participants Last post by Guest, Jan 21, 2005

Discussion Starter · Jan 20, 2005

Hey guys - I was wondering if I could get some input from the SoCal residents, both current and past.

I just got off the phone with a potential new employer out at Edwards Air Force Base doing the kind of work an engineer has wet dreams about. I'm at Eglin AFB right now in FL. Right now, I'd say my quality of life is pretty damn good being on the Gulf Coast - nice house, beach, the gulf, weather, affordable. Pay is pretty good (60k). Work is pretty good. The work up at Edwards would be a huge step up in terms of challenge, visibility and variety, and along with that, stress. Also, pay would be more.

What I'm wondering about is quality of life in that neck of the woods. It's the high desert, so what areas would be decent to live, in say with an hour's commute? How's it living there? Housing prices in a decent area? What do you need to make in that area to not necessarily be a hedonist, but just enjoy life, save, be comfortable and have a duc or two in the garage?

Thanks guys. Got some thinkin' to do in the next 24-36 hours before I decide on whether or not to take this to the next level.

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Discussion Starter · #2 · Jan 20, 2005

Re: Possible Move to SoCal... (caxys)

I have a friend who lives out there. Housing prices are considerably lower than in the L.A. area, but it is hot as hell out there in the summer. Probably the best advantage to living out there is being near Willow Springs and the regular trackdays that go on there. I don't have much else to offer besides that. I know that Lancaster had sprung up quite a bit w/ a lot of new housing and shopping centers that don't make it seem as desert-like as one might picture. Good luck w/ your decision!

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Discussion Starter · #3 · Jan 20, 2005

Santa Clarita area may be an option. It's in the foothills so it doesn't feel like you're in the desert. It's also about halfway between LA and Edwards so you can still enjoy the city life whenever you get the itch. Housing is not as cheap as Palmdale or Lancaster, but it's not too bad.

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Discussion Starter · #4 · Jan 20, 2005

Re: Possible Move to SoCal... (caxys)

Hey bud I've been a So Cal resident almost my entire life. I currently live near the Palm Springs area have been here for about 5 years. When you say High desert are you referring to Yucca Valley, Morongo, Yucaipa, San Berdo or that area?

The Plus: Great riding for any style. We have mountain roads to the snow 30 minutes away, Joshua Tree national park 30 minutes away, Big bear, lake arrowhead, L.A. San Diego, Anza Borrego all within 2 hours of each other. You can snowboard one day, hike the desert the next day, and surf the last day. Plus if you ride dirt there is more sand out here then you could possibly believe. Twisties are around every turn and if you are an out doors guy this is the place for you.

The Minus: Cost of living is thru the roof. The housing costs out here are absolutly freaking ridiculous. Gas is still $210. or more, milk is 5 bucks a gallon, insurance is high, the roads are crowded, crime is high in some parts, and if you live in the desert its 120+ some days. When you say engineer work I am assuming you mean I.T. which I do. There are lots of jobs and they pay decent but California is by far over saturated with I.T. guys. It's much worse up north near Santa Cruz / San Jose but alot of those guys came filtering down after the .com crash.

Anyway if you have any specific questions about areas let me know because I know most of them from the L.A. coast all the way to Phoenix.

Peace

Steve
[email protected]

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Discussion Starter · #5 · Jan 20, 2005

I live in the San Fernando valley, which is a bout an hours drive, and probably as far as you want to go. The good thig about San Fernando and Santa Clarita is that you will be going the opposite direction of traffic in the morning and at night. Good luck with you decision.

later...Ara

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Discussion Starter · #6 · Jan 20, 2005

Re: Possible Move to SoCal... (caxys)

You should check out California City. I own land there. It's very close to EAFB. Housing is cheeeaaap! It is hotter than hell in the summer but the winters are great. You could pick a 4-wheel ATV and go nuts there. If your a Duc owner your nearest (good )service may be a couple hour drive however.

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Discussion Starter · #7 · Jan 20, 2005

Re: Possible Move to SoCal... (DocHolliday)

Ah I was thinking March AFB which is by Moreno Valley and the "other" high desert. Edwards is the one out by Palmdale right?

In east Cali high desert means Yucca, Morongo, and Joshua Tree natl park. In L.A. it means Palmdale / Lancaster.

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Discussion Starter · #8 · Jan 20, 2005

Re: Possible Move to SoCal... (caxys)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by caxys »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Hey guys - I was wondering if I could get some input from the SoCal residents, both current and past.

I just got off the phone with a potential new employer out at Edwards Air Force Base doing the kind of work an engineer has wet dreams about. I'm at Eglin AFB right now in FL. Right now, I'd say my quality of life is pretty damn good being on the Gulf Coast - nice house, beach, the gulf, weather, affordable. Pay is pretty good (60k). Work is pretty good. The work up at Edwards would be a huge step up in terms of challenge, visibility and variety, and along with that, stress. Also, pay would be more.</TD></TR></TABLE>

It's in the middle of the desert but you'd be about 20min from WillowSpring Raceway and about an hour from Buttonwillow - if being close to racetracks is important. Socially, nothing happens around or near EAFB - the biggest shows to come through town seem to be people attending trackdays in the area.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">What I'm wondering about is quality of life in that neck of the woods. It's the high desert, so what areas would be decent to live, in say with an hour's commute? How's it living there? Housing prices in a decent area? What do you need to make in that area to not necessarily be a hedonist, but just enjoy life, save, be comfortable and have a duc or two in the garage?</TD></TR></TABLE>

Yes, it's high desert and it's 110 or so in the summer - really hot. I'd suggest looking at Valencia as a place to live - it's about an hour away. Housing prices will vary by proximity to ammenities and cooler temps; closer you live to the desert the cheaper it'll be, further away the more expensive. If you're making somewhere near 100k I think you'll be really comfortable, but getting your bikes serviced will require a tow.

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Discussion Starter · #9 · Jan 20, 2005

Re: Possible Move to SoCal... (caxys)

Check out this link. They provide city reports, crime reports, and housing prices for any area you are curious about. I am leaving the state myself so I have used it extensively the last few weeks.

http://www.homefair.com

http://www.homefair.com/homefa...rvlet
(not sure if the report will display but it's a Palmdale city report)

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Discussion Starter · #10 · Jan 21, 2005

Re: Possible Move to SoCal... (gnostic203)

Stay where you're at.

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Discussion Starter · #11 · Jan 21, 2005

Re: Possible Move to SoCal... (43Duc748)

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">http://garage.whatburns.com</TD></TR></TABLE>

Nice bike...

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Discussion Starter · #12 · Jan 21, 2005

Re: Possible Move to SoCal... (caxys)

Definitely come out this way...we want more Ducati riders!!!

Santa Clarita is not as cheap as it used to be but still very affordable by L.A. standards.

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Discussion Starter · #13 · Jan 21, 2005

I've thought about moving out west so many times. Its not even funny anymore.

But the job market, and high price of living.. I dont think I could do it. Plus, there is the cash cow that keeps me here.

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