So I'm moving to California from Michigan. I don't know anybody and I have no idea what I'm going to do, other than enjoy the ocean and try to live life with as few expectations as possible.

Artsy, right?

Does anyone have any suggestions as to a good area to land in?

Smile!

There have been many reported alien landing
sites in California.
You could pick a spot from those.

I was thinking of growing lotus flowers along the San Andreas fault.

Its not my fault!

Santa Cruz or San Luis Obispo :)

Plastic

That's a lot of lotus..

Hey! What's happening, Row? I'm totally looking those places up.

Good to see you again. Glad you're getting g out of Michigan. Maybe visit some old haunts of Neal Cassady and get your writer on. San, Diego is cool.

California is a huge State...which I'm sure you've taken into consideration. I live way up North-not far from the Oregon State Line-and a couple hours from Nevada. While it's rather provincial up North...it can be quite beautiful.

Having lived in California nearly all of my life...I would not suggest San Francisco, Sacramento-Central California Areas like Stockton, Bakersfield, Fresno. San Diego is nice but super conservative...not receptive to free-thinkers...at least that was my experience. Anyway. No matter where you go in our great State-I'm sure you will be ok. Good luck on your ventures!

Are you part of the 2nd wave from detroit? We seem be getting a grip of those in the east bay recently; or maybe that hyper-active pattern recognition at work.




I've lived in a bunch of different coastal cali cities, and want to offer what i can. Cost of living is a big thing, its SO much more expensive here than any place in michigan. what are you looking to pay in rent?

What a coincidence. My ex boyfriend moved from Michigan to California, except he hated it here. He decided to move back because somehow jail in Michigan was better than being in California another day.

From my experience, just about everyone I've met who ends up moving here from somewhere else ends up disappointed. But to be fair, I do live in Modesto and it's not the best representation of what California has to offer. Even day trips to the beach can't take away from the fact that the entire Central Valley in California is a drag to live in.

Personally, I would choose somewhere up north to live like Eureka, Arcata or anywhere in Humboldt County. I like the idea of being so close to nature and having a more laid back community.

Some people might try to sell you on areas like the Bay Area or San Francisco, but from what I've experienced, I wouldn't really like it. SF is like a maze to me and if you plan on walking around (and that might end up as your primary mode of transportation) be prepared for crowded streets where people don't acknowledge personal space and lack basic manners.

And well, San Jose is a kind of nice city. It's near the beach and there's usually plenty of things to do there. But I think the cost of living over there is more expensive than where I'm at, for example.

Both excellent choices.
Santa Cruz=lots of trees and ambiance,
Boardwalk, mountain living.
SLO=laid back metropolis, a get-away
from the Los Angles basin.

Give your lungs a break and avoid
southern California.

California is the place to be..earthqaukes or not

Los Angeles is where the work still is and where the real money is! But it helps to know where is good and where are the dragons. We flat got everything here!

In all fairness, we have an absolutely lovely prison system. Actually it's repugnant.

Thank you for the advice. Humboldt County has been suggested to me by a couple of other people as well, so I'll definitely start doing some more research.

I thought about LA. I think about LA. It just seems... vast, like I would be scrambling rather than basking in everything beautiful and new.

All the advice has been seriously appreciated though. *gold star*

I moved from Michigan almost 9yrs ago and have been living in San Diego ever since. If your looking for a place to settle down here is as good a place as any in California..