Where is California should I Live? Need lots of details and information about California, Help?

[kenway]

I am originally from Brooklyn, New York but I have lived in Phoenix Arizona for the past 6 years. I don't like the winters in New York and I hate the long hot summers in Phoenix Arizona. That is why I was thinking of moving to California. I have never been to California but here is what I like and what I am looking for. I need someone to give me all the details of the different areas of California and preferrably someone who knows California inside out.
I heard about 2 areas in California Tarzana and Calabbas but I think they are very expensive.
Here is what I want from the place that I decide to live in:
* Not too cold and not too hot all year around
* Mostly sunny all the time
* I don't care about living near the Ocean as I don't swim or surf or hike
* Prefer a nice area where everything is newer and updated
* Want to be close to shops and supermarkets and coffee shops like how it is in Brooklyn New York where you don't need a car.I hope there is such a place in California because that place doesn't exist in Arizona. Everything is too far in Arizona and the transportation is horrific
* want to be close to where the action is but not too close to the smog and pollution like they have in L.A.
* Want a city where they don't have threats of any Earthquakes, want to be extra safe
* Again with regards to weather, preferrably upper 70's or 80's in the summer and comfortable at night where you don't even need an A.C.
* want a very safe area with no crimes and no gangs and drugs and violence
* Want a middle class to upper area
* I don't want the cost of living to be outrageous
* Where is the best area that fits might needs above but not too expensive.
* prefer things to be within walking distance but nice areas and maybe a car that isn't necessary

Can you give me more details about Tarzania and Calabbas? I heard a few celebrities live there. Is it expensive? Are those areas good.

Please email me back with all the details and if you prefer you can email me directly at [email protected]

I need as much details as possible. If someone has living in New york or Arizona that knows both areas and has moved to California and can provide examples of the ddifferent areas of California compared to New york and Arizona that would be great as well.
Need lots of help and advice.

[sylvester37]

Tarzana and Calabasas are nice but, yeah, they are expensive. Calabasas is especially.
San Diego summers are very long and hot, especially as you go inland where most people live. In Southern California, housing tends to get cheaper as you move inland, but it also gets hotter.
Sacramento has horrendous summers.

Sounds like you're looking for the San Francisco area, but it's very expensive there. Maybe further north into California, but jobs are difficult to obtain in those areas.

No place is perfect though.

[smid]

South pasadena is a beautiful small city and everyone is friendly! There are tons of unique small shops and everything is within walking distance. The schools are really great and lots of movies and commercials are shot there. There are many nice houses on the hill.

[dickens93]

I think you should consider Northern California where it's cool,quiet and much safer than here in L.A. I mean you may find it very difficult to get around L.A. since it's just too big and there is too much traffic.

[cinnard]

I think you should consider Northern California where it's cool,quiet and much safer than here in L.A. I mean you may find it very difficult to get around L.A. since it's just too big and there is too much traffic.

2 words, SAN DIEGO! Moving here from
Canada was a great decision, I live in a neighborhood that's a but more secluded and expensive than what you might be looking for (Rancho Santa Fe) but I would highly suggest areas like Del Mar, Encinitas or La Jolla

[kienan]

doesnt matter where u live in california, u are always at risk for an earthquake so just duck and cover its not that bad.
also a car is absolutely always necessary, u cant avoid it
tarzana and calabasas are towns located in the san fernando valley area of LA
calabasas is really pricy, tarzana isnt as much but its still more then average, because u are living within the city of LA
here are some suggestions based on your details, some are a bit out of LA which u might like better

burbank
northridge
studio city
sherman oaks
south pasadena
simi valley
thousand oaks
irvine
costa mesa
long beach
huntington beach

[salvadore94]

Sounds like you should come to Sacramento! The state's Capitol is pretty great, there's the downtown part of sacramento which is like a city, there's nightlife, beautiful parks, and easy access to restaurants and shops. There's also the more suburban parts of sacramento, one neighborhood is called Gold River and in Gold River people live in little 'villages' it's like a perfect society in gold river, great place for families and SUPER close access to stores entertainment food places etc. Sacramento has pretty good weather, and is in the valley, rarely earthquakes, tornadoes, floods, VERY SAFE OVERALL!! I say if you're either young (18-35) or very elderly (80-100) downtown is a great place! There's business, shopping, food, entertainment all in walking distance. If you're in between, kinda mid-life, look for the suburban areas like gold river or fair oaks, has everything listed that downtown has but in a more family friendly homey neighborhood. Weathers great in Sacramento! Very safe! Perfect place for what you're looking for! Hope this helped! :)

[max]

if you hate long summers it's frisco or higher for you, southern cali is ALL summer.
I hate cali. moved there three times and moved right the f*ck back each time.
everything is too damn expensive. EVERYTHING. renting a dilapidated craphole requires a 50 dollar application fee and extensive rental history, background check, etc, why? because if you don't take it there's a hundred others like you who will. california's wealth largely comes from chewing up newcomers and spitting them out.
what else? crime. i never saw real violent crime until cali. saw a guy get his face slashed in a robbery on the trolley. hold-ups are common, as are burglaries, muggins, you name it. liquor stores everywhere and drunk idiots everywhere as a consequence.
homeless people like cockroaches, whole blocks of people sleeping on sidewalks.
I lived in the SLO area for a bit which was outside the city, college town. Still extremely expensive but a lot less crime. I'll never go back to that state. It's a horrible place. Now Portland Oregon, great city if you can tolerate the weather (overcast a lot, but not as rainy as you think.)

[gideon]

Pros and Cons of living in California

= Pros:
amazing weather all the time
awesome beaches
endless amount of attractions and things to do (disneyland, water sports, skiing, nature parks, six flags, sea world, etc.)
good shopping
lots of diversity and different people
more laid-back atmosphere than other areas of the country
fun nightlife

Cons:
super expensive
high gas prices
frequent wildfires
landslides/mudslides (if you live on the coast)
earthquakes
depends which city you're in, but sometimes high rates of crime and bad public school systems