Want to travel to US, please Help!

ERprincess · Jan 27, 2004

Hi Satsuma!

I have spent a lot of time in California in the past 4 years and I love it! I've spent most of my time in Southern California (San Diego and Los Angeles), but did manage a little time in central Cal.

I LOVE San Diego and plan to move there in the next few years, but it is extremely expensive to live there. Rents are astronomical and you must have a car to get around - there is very limited public transit. Los Angeles is way too big for me - and again its expensive. I recently travelled to Bakersfield, CA for a nursing interview and I loved it. The city is smaller, but has all the amenities that anyone could want. Its about 1.5 hours to the beach, 2.0 hours to LA and 1.5 hours to skiing. Las Vegas is about a 4 hour drive I think. There is a large river that runs thru Bakersfield and if you are into the outdoors there are horseback trails, bike trails (70 miles of) and lots of open space and picnic area. Housing prices are fantastic and everyone I met there was so friendly!!. If I could have convinced the love-of-my-life to move there with me I would go in a heartbeat!

Cons to Bakersfield? It gets really hot there during the day in the summer - but it cools off at night quite nicely.

I intervied at San Joaquin community Hospital - nice facility that will be expanding with a new tower in the near future (this year I believe).

Other areas to consider - San Luis Obispo/Pismo Beach - cute resort town on the ocean.

When going to California, remember, the closer you are to the ocean, the more expensive it will be to live.

Have fun!!!

ER Princess