San Diego/Carlsbad vs. Santa Barbara (Pasadena, Camarillo: cliquey, hotel, houses)

[RIGirl]

I am looking for information regarding living in Santa Barbara, especially as regards to living in Carlsbad. I am from Rhode Island and moved to Carlsbad in December 2006. I am a mid-forties single/divorced female and, finding myself free for the first time in my life, decided to sell my home in RI and move to CA. I have wanted to live here since traveling here often in the mid-eighties at the start of my career. At the time I worked for the federal government and am now self employed in the bookkeeping area focusing on small business. I chose the San Diego area because of my familiarlity with it and thought it would be a great place to start. I love the weather and overall friendlier and laid back atmosphere, but find myself missing the charm of New England.

I have taken some time off from working and have been exploring and enjoying CA. I spent this past weekend in Santa Barbara and, although I had been there 20 years ago, was amazed to realize how beautiful and charming it is. Santa Barbara may be what I am looking for. I did consider San Luis Obispo but found it to be a bit "SLO" for my taste. Santa Barbara seems to be a good mix of charming small town feel with culture and amenities of a big city such as San Diego.

I would appreciate any information or opinions anyone has regarding living in Santa Barbara. Thanks in advance!

[landrover06]

What is it about the charm of New England that you miss? I'm considering moving there. Thanks.

[RIGirl]

Originally Posted by landrover06

What is it about the charm of New England that you miss? I'm considering moving there. Thanks.

Hi,

I miss the small town feel, the quaint villages, the houses that are all shapes, sizes and colors rather than stucco with red roofs. I have lived in New England all my life and miss many things but I don't miss the weather! This is my first winter without snow and I loved it!

Where in RI are you thinking of? I am from Bristol.

[Sorcerer68]

Santa Barbara is a lovely town (not city) with many wonderful qualities. Downtown is gorgeous and walkable, however it closes really early. There are great antique shops and although a little pricy, have great selection. The zoo is my favorite small zoo in California. It has some really pretty neighborhoods. All concerened have tried really, really hard to keep it a safe, quiet, pretty place and they've succeeded. I'll check into a hotel there once a year for a weekend when I need to decompress. Santa Barbara is on the shelf with places like Catalina for me. I could never live there. Too boring.

Carlsbad is close enough to San Diego that there's something to do within reach. The weather is sensational. I don't know if you're single but you'll have lots and lots of hot looking young Marines around as Camp Pendleton is basically next door and the male to female ratio is wildly tipped in your favor. If you aren't single, I guess you've got lots of eye candy.

[Winston Smith]

As Sorcerer68 pointed out, by comparison to San Diego, SB is a town (pop 1.5 million vs. 100,000, respectively). SB's economy is not as strong as SD. Self-employment will probably offer you more opportunities than a salaried position since SB jobs pay 30-40 percent less than those same jobs in a bigger city, like San Diego. SB lends itself to success as a freelancer/contractor for those who have the energy for it. In spite of the "cheap" wages for jobs, Santa Barbara is home to the very wealthy. Even small charitable organizations or startups often have generous support from big local foundations and investment capital. There is money to be made.

Also be aware that SB is political in many ways. You will land clients, but just be prepared that you might have to penetrate a clannishness with potential clients who prefer to hire long-time residents. But if you can "get in" with one or two regular clients, word of mouth will be your best advertisement. If you do good work, they'll accept you as a newcomer quickly. SB has grown, and its "walls" are not as tall as they used to be.

[RIGirl]

Thank you all for the input. For the "seeker", I am curious, what is it that you seek?

[RIGirl]

I received your private message and tried to respond. You are not set up to receive them so....if you change that, send me a message and I will respond.

[Winston Smith]

Originally Posted by RIGirl

Thank you all for the input. For the "seeker", I am curious, what is it that you seek?

Off topic, sorry, but to answer this thread starter's question: What do I seek? "The key to fifty million fables," of course, as in The Who song by the same name as my user title. Seriously, I often "find" myself looking for the deeper meaning behind things, so I though it fit. Bottom line, perhaps, is that "I'm looking for me."

THE WHO THE SEEKER LYRICS

[runnergrl]

If you are a New england gal....you will not find the same kind of authentic charm that is New england here in CA. Very different IMO. New england has way more mileage in that than CA. Everything here is relatively new compared to back east. So in the places I have been since being out here, the closest resemblance to charm and quaintness from back east is more in northern CA, not southern CA. In fact SF is probably the closest thing to back east that I have experienced out here. There is a great vibe there too and lots and lots to do. Only thing, they have alot of cloudy weather.

If you like the old missions....and things of that nature....then SB has that and maybe south of OC I am thinking around San Clemente? I kinda like Camarillo...it is about 30 minutes south of SB and would certainly be more affordable and it is low key and they have a smallish but neat little mainstreet that is done up mission style. Another charming place, but may lend itself to the touristy thing is Solvang it is just north of SB. It has a Dutch village thing going on and neat place to go and you have the central coast thing with wineries and such.

I am not a big fan of the CA style as I rather like the traditional classic looks of the east. I have not seen anything(town/city/neighborhood) in So Cal that resemles being back east....no wait...maybe Pasadena, maybe Monrovia....but neither of those are close to the coast and travel to the coast is brutal in the greater LA area.

just my 2 cents. If you want New england, you willhave to visit there...lol

Also about SD, my husband has done frequent trips there marketing clients and such....for yrs I can safely say, he has told me it is a cliquey business city....they are loyal to the hometown folks. FYI

[Charles]

Did you hear the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor?

(This thread is almost three years old.)