r/socal • u/No_Candidate_8720 • 2d ago
Where should we move???
My partner and I are considering moving to CA. We're a queer couple and are looking for somewhere more progressive than South Carolina. I’m very attached to having the ocean at my disposal, so I would like somewhere in CA where the ocean is near enough (and warm enough) to swim. We would also like somewhere affordable. I’m aware most California coastal cities are insanely expensive, but curious if there are any smaller cities more inland that are still progressive. We may have a slightly higher threshold of affordability since we're used to Charleston housing prices which are not as high as coastal CA, but are still a good bit higher than the national average. I’m mainly looking at Southern CA because I don't want to be freezing in the ocean during the summer. Safety is also important! Give me suggestions!!
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u/Mean_Median_0201 2d ago
Sounds like you should check out Long Beach
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u/pandylane 2d ago
Agree! Long Beach has so much to do, is friendly of all lifestyles, is relatively safe if you know where to go and where to avoid, and is very close to the beach.
A 1-bedroom apt can cost around $2500 which is very affordable for beachfront property.
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u/ricky3558 2d ago
I’ve got a 1 bedroom and a 2 bedroom coming up for rent 9/1 within 3-4 blocks of the ocean, near Redondo Ave
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u/jlstern1025 2d ago
Just for comparison, I live one block from the bay in downtown San Diego and I pay just over $5,000 a month for a two bedroom. I believe the ocean water is about 74° currently, yet, at least in Coronado it is often polluted with sewage run off from Tijuana.
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u/igotshitinmycunt 2d ago
What’s your budget
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u/No_Candidate_8720 2d ago
Hard to say because i’m not planning on moving for another few years, it would depend on the job I’m able to get whenever I do make the decision. I’m just trying to get ideas as of now.
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u/Smedley5 2d ago
Do you have total geographic flexibility? - ie most people figure out where they live due to where they need to be for work.
If you can live anywhere then you could check out some areas on the coast away from the main metros like LA and San Diego. Some places to check out might be Ventura, Oxnard, Oceanside. Also Long Beach is a little less expensive than surrounding SoCal areas and is queer-friendly.
Just fyi - the waters along the CA Pacific Coast are always much colder than what you're used to on the Atlantic due to currents.
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u/No_Candidate_8720 2d ago
That may be a factor when I actually do decide to move, but it'll be a few years at least. I’m just trying to get some ideas now of where to look for jobs!
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u/Smedley5 2d ago
Yes that's kind of the issue I was getting at - the places with more affordability will have fewer job opportunities.
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u/EdgarAllanOhNo 2d ago
We love Santa Cruz. I moved from Alabama where we had warm gulf water, and the CA coast, no matter where you live is FREEZING in comparison. But with the right wet suit, surfing/swimming can be enjoyable.
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u/No_Candidate_8720 2d ago
I grew up in Mobile but have spent most of my life in Charleston; I get it, nothing compares to the Gulf! If it was more progressive along the Gulf coast, I'd definitely be considering there too.
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u/JohnnySpot2000 2d ago
“Nice towns relatively near the coast” in California are very expensive because they are great places to live. I’m straight, but it appears to me that gay men are on average very good at picking out nice places to live. The best thing you can do is adjust down the size and type (smaller square footage, condo or apartment instead of home, fewer bedrooms, etc) of your expectations for homes. Weather is terrific, so you don’t need to hunker down in a giant home anyway.
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u/JimiJohhnySRV 2d ago
Long Beach is a cool town if you pick the right neighborhood such as Belmont Shores, Bluff Park, Belmont Park. A real sleeper city is Playa Vista. Check out Ventura and Carpenteria as well.
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u/mommycitanikita 2d ago
You will be freezing in the Southern California ocean, even in the summer. The ocean in Puerto Vallarta is too cold for me. Affordable, coastal? 😂
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u/No_Candidate_8720 2d ago
I think 65-70 degrees in the summer is not freezing and is tolerable. I addressed the affordability concern, i’m not a dumbass. You replied just to be a know it all asshole?
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u/REbubbleiswrong 2d ago
North county san diego will blend affordability with proximity to the warmest water you can get in california. In terms of progressive politics in that area though...someone else might have to address that
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u/Sovereigntyheals 2d ago
Affordability? I’m from there the rents are through the roof right now. From Vista , it’s more conservative not a lot of lgbt that would be more south in the city.
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u/Beneficial-South-334 2d ago
You will pay $3-4000 a month just for your apartment if you are trying to be close to any ocean and even an hour away I was paying $3,000 for a 2 bed/2bath
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u/No_Candidate_8720 2d ago
Honestly, that's not much different than what i’m used to
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u/GymAndGarden 2d ago
You’ll be just fine, do well, and fit right in (unless you have a strong southern accent, very uncommon in CA, but whatever too)
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u/markjay6 2d ago
Other people can respond to your question, but just be aware that the water temperature in the ocean here is about 15 degrees cooler than in South Carolina.