Where would YOU live in California?

[SteveNNP]

Hey,

I'm planning on starting a few travel nursing assignments to California early next year, and I'd like to try and get an idea for some good places to travel to. There are about 100 locations to choose from in CA via the travel company I'm looking at, and I have only been to a few places in CA.

I have visited LA, OC, Santa Monica, Laguna, and San Diego briefly. I really like the weather and SoCal vibe.

A friend of mine traveled to Rady Children's in San Diego, and hasn't come back yet!

Are there any spots you can recommend for me to consider traveling to? Nice places to live, play, and work.....

Pay isn't a HUGE issue, as I'll have housing and benefits provided. I am more concerned with an ideal location and good hospital.

Thanks!

SteveRN21

[caliotter3]

Bay area all the way..I lived in south bay (los gatos) and had to move down south (claremont) and hate it..the people in the bay area are more relaxed, educated, and diverse..The weather totally beats the smoggy LA air and the traffic is a fraction of what it is in LA. If I had a choice, I thinks its pretty clear I would pick Nor Cal. Plus the pay is better and the clientel in the hospitals aren't as "interesting" as down south.

Agree. You can add in "cleanliness of environment" to that.

[jennafezz]

I live in the east bay area (Dublin/San Ramon), and I LOVE it here. It's beautiful and safe, and everything is within a reasonable driving distance. If I could live somewhere else in CA, I would definitely pick somewhere in the bay area, maybe closer to the water, like Half Moon Bay or Pacifica.

However... if I was just doing a travel assignment, I would pick So Cal for sure. It's gorgeous and the weather is amazing. The beaches are much nicer than in Nor Cal. So Cal is, in my opinion, a better vacation spot, while Nor Cal is a better place to live.

[jennafezz]

When do you have time to do all of this? All I ever had time for was work and sleep (sometimes). Just makes it more obvious everything that I'm missing!

I totally agree!! I have lived here my whole life and haven't come close to doing all that.. wish I could though.

[Kolohe99]

If weather is important to you, stay south. I've lived in the Bay Area and had friends that lived in the LA area. My observation was that the further north you are the better......... except for the weather. There is a great variety of activities you can do in the bay area. There are also different microcosms of climate available depending on where exactly in the bay area you are. But I'd still never want to live there again. If I had to live in California; I'd probably live in Redding, Anderson, or Shasta Lake. But my choices are biased by the fact that I was raised in the country and never "took" to big city life.

[I love my cat!]

I LOVE Marina Del Rey and Santa Monica as well as, San Luis Obispo.

[caliotter3]

If weather is important to you, stay south. I've lived in the Bay Area and had friends that lived in the LA area. My observation was that the further north you are the better......... except for the weather. There is a great variety of activities you can do in the bay area. There are also different microcosms of climate available depending on where exactly in the bay area you are. But I'd still never want to live there again. If I had to live in California; I'd probably live in Redding, Anderson, or Shasta Lake. But my choices are biased by the fact that I was raised in the country and never "took" to big city life.

And I find it to be the opposite. I'm extremely sensitive to heat and find the south to be very, very uncomfortable. I have been through Redding and know I could never live there. I found different areas of the Bay area to have variations in weather but overall it was pleasant.

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

If weather is important to you, stay south. I've lived in the Bay Area and had friends that lived in the LA area. My observation was that the further north you are the better......... except for the weather. There is a great variety of activities you can do in the bay area. There are also different microcosms of climate available depending on where exactly in the bay area you are. But I'd still never want to live there again. If I had to live in California; I'd probably live in Redding, Anderson, or Shasta Lake. But my choices are biased by the fact that I was raised in the country and never "took" to big city life.

hmmmm . . . you're sure you aren't my husband?

steph

[SteveNNP, MSN, NP]

Wow! What a lot of great replies!

It seems like no matter where one goes in California, there's always something great about it.

I just got back from a trip to LA, and when I stepped on the plane, it was 81f, and when I stepped off in NYC, it was 12f. I am definitely a member of the heat-lovers group. Probably has to do with my lack of an estrogenical nuclear reactor...

[Kolohe99]

And I find it to be the opposite. I'm extremely sensitive to heat and find the south to be very, very uncomfortable. I have been through Redding and know I could never live there. I found different areas of the Bay area to have variations in weather but overall it was pleasant.

Good point. If you don't like the heat the bay area would be much better; as long as you don't go too far east. Speaking of heat; I doubt that we will hear anyone extolling the virtues of Bakersfield. (Apologies to anyone who lives in Bakersfield)

[KT17]

I live in San Diego while I've only visited the bay area I know that many of the people I met in college were from NorCal and decided to stay here after graduation, and I know several people that went to school up north transferred here after a few semesters! In my opinion San Diego is great...the ocean, mountains, and desert are all within driving distance and you can't beat the weather. I'm a pre-nursing student now and would love to end up working at Rady Children's in the NICU...if you end up here can I shadow you for a day? :wink2:

[Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN]

Wow! What a lot of great replies!

It seems like no matter where one goes in California, there's always something great about it.

I just got back from a trip to LA, and when I stepped on the plane, it was 81f, and when I stepped off in NYC, it was 12f. I am definitely a member of the heat-lovers group. Probably has to do with my lack of an estrogenical nuclear reactor...

I don't like being cold either - and heat doesn't bother me. Cold hurts.

Even though it gets hot here in the real Northern California . . there are so many ways to cool off. The Sacramento River runs right through Redding and is popular with fishermen. Whiskeytown Lake and Shasta Lake are right outside of town. The mountains surrounding Redding have many parks. Mt. Shasta and Dunsmuir are fun towns to visit in the summer with many outdoor activities and great restaurants in a cooler atmosphere. Hiking is a popular activity along with kayaking. Lassen Park is only about an hour away. Burney Falls. Popcorn Lava Caves. Etc.

Oh . . . and Mercy Medical Center has an NICU.

http://redding.mercy.org/index.htm

steph

[hillarypeace2006]

Wow! What a lot of great replies!

It seems like no matter where one goes in California, there's always something great about it.

I just got back from a trip to LA, and when I stepped on the plane, it was 81f, and when I stepped off in NYC, it was 12f. I am definitely a member of the heat-lovers group. Probably has to do with my lack of an estrogenical nuclear reactor...

Steve, you are 25.. too young to be out in the middle of nowhere... LA/ or San Francisco. The great thing about being in the city is that you can escape to any of these places within a short period of time. But, the diversity, the cuisine, and the nightlife can't be beat! I can't say Los Angeles is the best place in California but honestly, if you are single without children, I think it would be a great learning experience to be here.. The people are amazing here and you can really see a little bit of everything if you just wait long enough!