What's Riding/Racing Like In Southern California?

[bcipam]

Yoga:

In California its a long established joke... we try and dissaude people from coming here - it's all in jest - but reality is California is becoming a real mess and what once made it a great place is slowly erroding due to congestion etc. It shouldn't be a dream to come live in California. If you have jobs and are planning to come here - welcome. No one was kidding about the riding here - it's glorious, will be the least of your problems. I just think most of us California believe people should know the reality of good riding, we pay dearly for it and if you come here, you will too. Just have your eyes wide open.

I had a friend move here last year from New Jersey. She was told housing prices were reasonable. They are in some areas but she found out those areas aren't desirable (either high crime or 2 - 3 hr drive from work). She purchased a nice 2 bedroom condo in Anaheim Hills but is mortgaged to the hilt.

Anyway, didn't mean to offend. I wasn't serious, just joking - again pretty much an established California joke... if and when you and your husband know where you are coming to live, the rest of us CA gals can fill you in on good riding spots. You can also go to bikeforums.net, under regional discussions, southern california - lots of information of So Cal rides is posted there. Also check out bikeirvine.org for information on bike clubs and riding around Orange County.

[yogabear]

I am not offended by anyone here Love ya'll

Actually, it's quite difficult to offend me. In my post previous to this one, I was simply expressing my own truth, which is what you did in your recent post and elsewhere in this thread No harm, no foul. Everyone sees things differently and has his or her own personal truths. That's what makes the world go 'round. Thank goodness there are differences or the world may not be as exciting to me LOL I get bored easily I guess...I'm working on being more focused though.

I'm well aware of the jokes about not moving to California

It shouldn't be a dream to come live in California. If you have jobs and are planning to come here - welcome.

Hubby and I are definitely going to make sure we have employment lined up before packing and moving out to California We are looking at our various options. Thankfully, there are many...and, we'll be just fine financially Yay!

As for the "shouldn't," I have been trying to eliminate the 'should's' and 'shouldn't's' from my vocabulary It just works better for me that way

I appreciate the links and information regarding riding in Orange County Many thanks

If you ever want to ride in Metro Detroit, I can return the favor and provide data...along, with some jokes about why you wouldn't want to live here LOL.

I enjoy being of service to others...that is why I'm on the planet

With bear hugs to all...

[velogirl]

There's always Northern California. Housing would appear to be more reasonable here. My little 850 square foot condo goes for about $430K right now. The two-bedroom cottages in Burlingame are about $650k. Of course, there are many more expensive places to live, but nice, cute, reasonable housing in good neighborhoods can be found in Northern California.

And, we ride year-round too!

And, we're not wedded to our cars like those SoCal-ers.

And, there's less smog.

And better wine.

And,

and,

and.....

[yogabear]

Velogirl,

Hee hee!

I'm going to plan a trip maybe for early to late Spring next year to Northern California too. I'm drawn to San Luis Obispro as well as San Jose I have seen pics of Santa Cruz that draw me there too

Will be keeping an open mind

Hugs!

[Fredwina]

Yogabear,
Thought I'd add my two cents agian
about a year and 9 months ago , I moved to Socal (Duck rotten tomato thrown by BCIPam ) from Hershey, PA
At that time I was unemployed and it sounded better than nothing.
Housing - I call it the 1/3 rule 1/3 less for 1/3 more. That, and I live a far bit away from work. My job is in El Monte, which is a city in the San Gabriel Valley that's seen better times. I could have gotten a place cheaper and closer, but was not impressed with what I saw.
Riding -aside from being "goldlilocks" with the groups,(The pace of the local group rides was either too fast or too slow, and having a monster commutte (darn!), you can get in more riding. You don't have to put up your bike from November until March. Velogirl, one of my ridng partners told smog builds strong lungs (The wind usaully comes in from the coast, and blows all the emissons east into San Bernardino/Riverside, where the mountian trap it)
Haven't been to NorCal, but I've been to Solvang/Lompoc a couple of times. It seems like the Central coast area would be the idea mix of weather, terrain, and urbanization (enough to have stuff reasonably close by, but you can get of town and onto some country roads

[Brandy]

Yogabear...if you choose to move to so Cal, we would love to have you join us on rides. We have a very, very active group of WONDERFUL people that we ride with from the Bike Forums group. We're a chatty bunch and Joe, the owner of BF finally gave in (thanks to caligurl!!!) and gave us regional forums over there...we certainly take advantage of them. It's mostly men with a few of us gurls to provide much needed variety and fashion sense...lol, but they've been nothing but supportive, welcoming, funny and wonderful to me as a new rider.

http://www.bikeforums.net/forumdisplay.php?f=236

[Tiffanie]

I back that up 100%