Moving to California...But Where?

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Fletcher

Trad climber
The rock doesn't care what I think
Dec 8, 2012 - 01:02am PT
For accessibility and nice weather, I third the Pasadena area. Lived here for years and I'm now up the hill in Altadena... closer to the mountains and when it's snowing way up high, you get the feeling it almost might snow here. But leave it up there, much better place!

OC and San Diego are great places too. Especially if you are into general fitness activities. Whenever I'm in the San Diego area, it seems like every man, woman and child (and maybe dog) is a triathlete. If we ever move down that way, I'm gonna really have to get my butt in gear!

Good luck!

Eric
Gary

Social climber
Right outside of Delacroix
Dec 8, 2012 - 01:23am PT
Otherwise, central valley (Fresno-Visalia area)! You'll understand why once you live here.

Oh yes, the paradise that is McFarland. Hey, it's only 6 miles to Delano from there!
limpingcrab

Trad climber
the middle of CA
Dec 8, 2012 - 01:36am PT
Say what you want but I'm going snowboarding Sunday morning and climbing Sunday afternoon!
Gary

Social climber
Right outside of Delacroix
Dec 8, 2012 - 01:51am PT
Sounds great!
bergbryce

Mountain climber
California
Dec 8, 2012 - 03:32am PT
The Bay and maybe even LA are much more doable if you've got an amenable schedule. Weekend warrior schedule, blah.
Consecutive days off that aren't weekends make some areas like the Bay area more acceptable and even attractive.
Having to deal with every other d-bag trying to get out of town on Friday evening gets old real quick. Id' take that into consideration.
Fletcher

Trad climber
The rock doesn't care what I think
Dec 8, 2012 - 04:51am PT
My bro-in-law lives in Clovis, which is next to Fresno. I like it. And it's really close to some nice Sierra places. Just a hop, skip and a jump.

Eric
Dr.Sprock

Boulder climber
I'm James Brown, Bi-atch!
Dec 8, 2012 - 05:28am PT
central valley will give you breathing problems after 10 years,

SF has good air but it is hell on earth to drive, and a big earthquake hit there last night, millions of dead people who thought they were somehow immune to plate tectonics,
Charlie D.

Trad climber
Western Slope, Tahoe Sierra
Dec 8, 2012 - 08:01am PT
Sierra Foothills, Interstate 80 or Highway 50 corridor. Great access to climbing, skiing, kayaking and good paying jobs. I love it, at 3,ooo ft. I'm always above the valley fog and typcially below the snow line in winter. The transition seasons are fantastic but summer has the heat, our place in Apple Hill is about as low as I'd want to be given the heat.
Jaybro

Social climber
Wolf City, Wyoming
Dec 8, 2012 - 10:14am PT
California has it all (not really, but close) but its all spread out over a wide expanse. Finding an ideal spot is troublesome.

What is your heat tolerance? Most of the state is too hot for me most and though not humid by Midwestern/eastern standards it Ain't, a dry heat!!

Culturally, the Bay Area is the place to be, Period. But that means weeken warriorhood (great selection of objectives) and gyms.

Living by crags? Eastside/Tahoe, including Reno.
What do you do for work? That's has a strong bearing....
this just in

climber
north fork
Dec 8, 2012 - 10:25am PT
DMT, the only thing that could of made that post better is if was in the Russ rant format.
10b4me

Boulder climber
Somewhere on 395
Dec 8, 2012 - 10:33am PT
Sorry if I missed it, but what kind of work are you looking for? That will decide your location.
MikeL

climber
SANTA CLARA, CA
Dec 8, 2012 - 11:01am PT
Get the job first if you're just graduating. Unless you've got some super-in-demand career skills (unlikely if coming out of school), your first job will be your best opportunity to point your career. After the first job your degrees of freedom will decline steadily. It's a tough job market anywhere.

(There will surely be those here who will say, "f*ck the job.")
Michelle

Trad climber
Toshi's Station, picking up power converters.
Dec 8, 2012 - 11:05am PT
What Dingus said. This place sucks.

Go Tuolumne County.
jstan

climber
Dec 8, 2012 - 11:05pm PT
Take the best job.

One thing that I found really works well. Work double time for two months and then do two months off. You get more done plus when you get no break from work the politics seem entirely normal. Politics will be a bummer when you come back but within a week it will become normal again.

Your task structure may require another cycle time but once you are into double time it won't make any difference.

I've been double timing on ST now for six years. All the stuff here seems entirely normal.
jjl3

Trad climber
Vancouver, BC
Topic Author's Reply - Dec 10, 2012 - 05:14pm PT
Well I'm back. About ten minutes after I made the original post I was talked into a three day ski trip. Just got back this morning...


I guess I've been spoiled...I've had a PhD student's schedule (no classes/my only deadline was "finish X amount of research within 3-5 years") and of course the ability to do 14 pitches of granite AFTER work for the last couple of years. Sadly that's coming to an end, and I'm actually going to have to work on other people's schedules, and at a large university hospital for the next two years. Since this is a residency (similar to what MDs do) in a growing field, all of the opportunities are pretty similar, so the biggest distinction to me is the location. By the way, Phoenix, Denver and Lexington, KY made the list, but I've been those places and got the feel for them.
Fat Dad

Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
Dec 10, 2012 - 05:51pm PT
Culturally, the Bay Area is the place to be, Period.
The Bay area, while beautiful by any stretch (parts of it at least), is a ugly step sister to the LA's cultural scene. That argument has been hashed out, tit for tat, too many times to do again.

Other than that, I'd second Dr. F's basic conclusion about living/climbing in CA. Depending on which is a greater priority, the other is going to suffer. LA/SF great culture, weekend warrior climbing. Bishop great climbing, podunk culture/work. Pick your poison.

BTW, Costa Mesa is OK. Grew up there. Was there on Sat. visiting Mom. Love Pirate's Cove but, like much of the OC, there's not much too it. Pasadena is nice. Well located but the heat and smog during the summer months is a major drawback. Plus with Williamson closed a closest bigger venue is a no go.
ontheedgeandscaredtodeath

Trad climber
SLO, Ca
Dec 10, 2012 - 06:03pm PT
I'd go with Denver or SLC. If you are not ready to be a weekend warrior I'd skip California.

California has a lot going for it- proximity to after work good climbing in a place with an abundance of real jobs is not one of those things.
bvb

Social climber
flagstaff arizona
Dec 10, 2012 - 06:04pm PT
Depends on what your personal metrics and benchmarks are for evaluating a "cultural scene", Fat Dad. Paris vs. New York? LA vs. London? A blanket statement such as yours...boys, I dunno.
Barbarian

Trad climber
New and Bionic too!
Dec 10, 2012 - 06:05pm PT
Orange County is a cultural and climbing wasteland. The longest routes in the county are in gyms. The longest waits in the county are on the freeway. Just remember: On any given Friday, the 14 million residients of SoCal are all trying to get away on the same 5 roads - 101, 5 No, 15, 10, or 5 So. Eagles were right - "You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave!"
Look elsewhere.
Fat Dad

Trad climber
Los Angeles, CA
Dec 10, 2012 - 06:27pm PT
Depends on what your personal metrics and benchmarks are for evaluating a "cultural scene", Fat Dad.
I totally agree. Part of my comment was just a knee jerk response to Jaybro's comment. Different strokes for different folks.
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