Best places to live near LA or SF

[gcp52]

Hi,

My wife and I are planning on moving to California. I have a couple job offers in both the LA and San Fran areas. We really like both areas, but we want to get some input on which areas are good to raise an LDS family in near the San Francisco Bay area, and the Los Angeles valley.

We like the Irvine (Orange County) area in So. Cal, and the Walnut Creek (the Back bay) area near San Fran.

Thanks

[O2BNSD]

Hi,

My wife and I are planning on moving to California. I have a couple job offers in both the LA and San Fran areas. We really like both areas, but we want to get some input on which areas are good to raise an LDS family in near the San Francisco Bay area, and the Los Angeles valley.

We like the Irvine (Orange County) area in So. Cal, and the Walnut Creek (the Back bay) area near San Fran.

Thanks

What I would recommend is to research this very extensively as things have changed so much in both Los Angeles & San Francisco. I live in San Diego (& I am very spoiled here! LOL!), but I had also lived in LA many years ago. LA is not what it used to be at all & I would never go back to that area ever. Now you mentioned Irvine, while that is the newer & upcoming area..it is becoming more expensive, significantly increasing in population & increasing in traffic problems. I would recommend working with a real estate agent who has been in that area for at least 15 yrs. They have the experience that would better guide you as opposed to an agent that has been there for only 5 yrs or less. Due to the major changes that have happened in that area, you really need a very experienced agent. Now with regards to Walnut Creek, if I had to pick between Irvine & Walnut Creek, I'd pick Walnut Creek! It is a very lovely area up there (I travel up there quite a bit), but again you would want an experienced person to help advise you. Walnut Creek is also an upcoming & expanding area, so expect some expensive properties around that area as well. If you have children, you will want to know about the schools & how they rate for both Irvine & Walnut Creek. Get a list going of all the pros & cons (from experienced & reliable sources) for both areas & then base your decision on those results. I wish you the best on this new adventure.

[skippy740]

I grew up in Irvine. Great area and great business environment. Great schools too. Rather pricey, but that is subjective to your income. The Newport Beach temple is literally right down the road in Irvine. Very professional & white collar area. Very strong membership there, as well as the youth. Not quite as strong in scouting (as I remember growing up).

Now, the other side of Los Angeles, is Ventura County. Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks and Camarillo are all nice areas... but not quite as "uniform" or "structured" as Irvine. I'd probably pick Camarillo since it is at sea-level and has MUCH cooler temperatures than Thousand Oaks or Westlake Village (by about 20+ degrees) AND it's cheaper than both of the other cities too. You'd be in the Los Angeles temple district. You'd enjoy a drive along the PCH to get there (better than battling the freeway). Also a very strong place to raise an LDS family.

I'd say that the areas in Ventura County that I mentioned are about what Orange County was 20-30 years ago.

Good luck!