California locale "closest" to Seattle?

[Khamsin]

I used to live in California for a little bit when I was young, and I've been back there since, but I haven't been to too many places down there.

What part of California (e.g. near LA, near San Diego, etc.) would have the most cultural diversity, corporation HQs, job and housing hotspots, cool places (for locals) to go, and be on the water? And not be too upscale/trendy/expensive/get-shot-if-you-go-down-the-wrong-alley, either. Or, at least, have close suburbs that are reasonably priced to live in, and fairly safe.

I'm sure any of the big cities down there could fit several of the criteria, but if any resemble the atmosphere of Seattle more strongly than another, then that'd be a bonus. It's tough to describe what exactly that means, but if you've been around both up here and down there, then you'll know what I mean!

[Beckwin]

SF

[Plow]

SF

ROFL


Try San Luis Opisbo or Santa Cruz

[Fhqwghads]

Tired of the cold weather, clouds and rain?

[Lordwafik]

Tired of the cold weather, clouds and rain?

Clearly not, since he wants to move to California's Seattle.

[Fhqwghads]

Clearly not, since he wants to move to California's Seattle.

There is no such thing, weather-wise. (I grew up in Cali, so I know.) Pretty sure he wants the social atmosphere of Seattle, sans the shitty climate.

[pohibaba]

San Francisco fits most of those criteria except the not too expensive part. SLO or Santa Cruz fit most of those criteria, too, but are much smaller communities than what I assume Seatle to be. San Diego is a pretty awesome city; cheaper than SF, but it's still certainly on the expensive side.

[Azalee]

My brother lived in Northern California for a while, right near the beach and the Redwoods in Arcata... Very similar weather to Seattle without the hotness of California.

Except for there is NOTHING in Arcata. =P

And Khamsin, you should know that you can't duplicate the atmosphere of Seattle. It just isn't possible.

[zoobernut]

I lived in SF and SLO and Grew up in Monterey. I would highly recommend San Luis Obispo or Monterey area both are beautiful and have several towns all clustered together so there is a large variety. SF is a great place to visit but I did not enjoy living there much.

Monterey is great it has a great art scene, the aquarium, tons of great variety in restaurants and some amazing beaches.

San Luis Obispo is very similar it is just a little bit warmer as it is farther south.

[Biddinger]

Irvine/Costa Mesa

[Quixotic]

I moved from Seattle to n.cal a few months ago and would also agree with SF (or any of the surrounding suburbs/cities in the bay area). I actually live in San Jose which is about an hour south (no traffic), but frequent trips to SF are no big deal since you have multiple options anyways (drive, caltrain, BART), and people go up all the time. Weatherwise, SF is actually very similar to Seattle in that it tends to be very grey most of the time since I've been here, and I've seen a fair amount of rain.

Job market wise, there's a lot of companies down here of course, mostly in the tech field if you go to the south bay (although I haven't been able to find a fulltime position yet...but i don't think seattle is any different in that regard according to friends who graduated with me from college last year). Also, most of the areas around here seem to be pretty safe, just avoid Oakland.

[Ksandra]

Any SD county basically fits your description. Most cities have cheaper areas and expensive ones. Not going to lie, but in general about 99.9% of CA is expensive anyways, but you're getting what you paid for.

[Yuri-G]

I've been thinking about moving to CA for years but I feel like backing down on those plans now, what with all the economic turmoil. Apparently they can't pay for social programs and are planning on releasing tons of prisoners to cut down on the cost of incarceration, and other shit like that? Plus they're one of the top 4 states in the nation when it comes to unemployment, shit on that.

Is it not as bad as I'm thinking? Am I overreacting? Or would I be better off just chillin in Colorado, which is my new destination?

I do love San Francisco but I don't need the stress of knowing that if I get fired, I won't be able to rely on the state for life-sustaining medication.

[Ksandra]

I've been thinking about moving to CA for years but I feel like backing down on those plans now, what with all the economic turmoil. Apparently they can't pay for social programs and are planning on releasing tons of prisoners to cut down on the cost of incarceration, and other shit like that? Plus they're one of the top 4 states in the nation when it comes to unemployment, shit on that.

Is it not as bad as I'm thinking? Am I overreacting? Or would I be better off just chillin in Colorado, which is my new destination?

I do love San Francisco but I don't need the stress of knowing that if I get fired, I won't be able to rely on the state for life-sustaining medication.

I wouldn't move until you see how things are going. Housing market has all but crashed here, people are losing jobs left and right. (it's weird it's almost daily now we have people coming into my work asking if we are hiring).

Best bet, if you thought of moving, try getting a job out here first, and then move. But even then it's risky.

[thestalkmore]

I grew up in San Luis Obispo (not Opisbo) and am definitely feeling the love. I live in Berkeley now (SF metropolitan area). More things happen in SF given that it's about 50 times as big, SLO is a nicer place. Take your pick.

[Yuri-G]

Hrm. I do work for a company that has a major presence in SF, which was how I was planning on getting out there. I'm just worried about getting that job then getting laid off like six months later.

I guess you're right, best just to wait until things calm down a bit. Think I'll head to Colorado first and chill out there for a while, it may not be warm and sunny but really, San Francisco isn't exactly the spot for hot weather either. Random heat waves aside, it seems more like Seattle weather than San Diego weather.

[Lordshin]

Irvine/Costa Mesa

This and pretty much any city near by,
There are many Corporation HQs down here, close to several beaches, and there is actually a lot to do... I mean it is in the OC

Only problem I can see is that it gets pretty warm here.
And that it's not anything like Seattle lol.

[Demosthenes11]

anywhere in the silicon valley really

just can be expensive as fuck

[drg7134]

San Francisco fits most of those criteria except the not too expensive part. SLO or Santa Cruz fit most of those criteria, too, but are much smaller communities than what I assume Seatle to be. San Diego is a pretty awesome city; cheaper than SF, but it's still certainly on the expensive side.

Santa Cruz would be a ? for me. Ive lived here the past year since i go to college here. It's only rained probably 7ish days since early september. a few of my 2nd/3rd year friends told me it rained almost everyday past october, but this year is strange somehow...
as far as diversity, Santa Cruz doesn't really have much. on Campus, the races are pretty split between dorm areas. The city itself is majority caucasion.

It's also boring as fuck here.

[Plow]

San Luis Obispo (not Opisbo)

man I always do that, to the point where I was specifically thinking about it and reminding myself the b comes before the p right before I typed it, and still did it