Moving from Michigan to beach town in California (San Diego, Santa Barbara: apartments, rent)

[musicman554563]

Im 22 and I am currently going to community college. I am a white caucasion male. I have lived in a suburb of detroit my whole life. Last year I went to school in orlando fl. I liked living in Orlando met lots of nice people some of whom are some of my best friends now. There was always alot to do. I dont think I want to move back to Orlando in August when the school year starts again. There was just to much crime and two many homeless people. I would like to move to California. I have been to San Diego once and thought it was the best things ever. Here is what Im looking for.
-Nightlife or things for young people to do.
-I have a golden retriever dog so the area would have to be dog friendly.
-Im looking for an apartment in a nice area I could spend the max 1500 a month for either a 1 or 2 bed room apartment that is dog friendly.
-I dont want to live in a retierment comminity or w alot of families.
-It would be a plus to be an area such as a planned community or a beach town with resturants/bars near by.
-It could be close to a downtown area.
-Parks or alot of outdoor areas that are dog friendly would be a huge plus.
-I would also be interested in finding a job working in a retail setting selling clothing of somesort.
-It would have to be within 20 to 30 min to a commnity college or trade school. Im going to school for business.
Any thoughts on a city in California that meets some or all of these requirments.

Is 1500 to cheap for a nice apartment in California?

[CAVA1990]

I assume you have money in the bank, maybe a trust fund? Sounds like San Diego would be a good area for you. You may want to post on that forum for additional feedback.

[Think4Yourself]

Pacific Beach in San Diego is what you're looking for though, honestly, you'd likely do better staying in school or at least going to a state where you can get in state tuition.

[sjnative]

Are you willing to have roommates? Are you willing to leave the dog at home in MI? Are you willing to work full time? Have you considered that a retail job- or any job- won't be easy to get?

Those are the questions at issue.

[Garden gal]

I second PB. I lived on the beach in a 1 bedroom apartment (it was crappy) for $1300 a month. I had 2 dogs. This was 7 years ago, so rent will have gone up but probably still doable. Check the blue apartments behind Lahina's right on the beach. I had so much fun, could walk to bars and restaurants, and it was a good time in life. The street was Olive, I believe, but there are a bunch of units down there. It was not fancy, and I used to have Navy guys drinking on my car in the parking lot, and once the Mongols biker Gang took over the area for the day, but it was a good time. Do it while you are young. They don't allow drinking on that beach anymore, so it is probably less crazy. Otherwise, you might find what you are Looking for in Santa Barbara near the city college. You would probably need roommates to find a dog friendly place though, but the city is very dog friendly overall.