Choices

[makakona]

we likely would have killed to go to blythe. my husband wanted anything in la, but our main priorities were cost of living and proximity of extended family. basically, anything cheap in the southern half of california would have been worth putting up a fight. we have good friends in blythe and it would have been fun. we were hoping for anything in san diego, as that's where we're from, but working our way out east and then north of there wouldn't have been bad, either. heat doesn't bother me as long as there's an a/c at home. ;)

pupdog, make sure to pay attention to norcal's advice when making your wish list. :rolleyes:

[RoadDawg]

It pretty much comes down to two choices anyway... 1- S. CA, expensive or 2) Bay Area, more expensive... ;)

[MicahJames]

I was born and raised in San Jose... I'm very partial to the extreme diversity and incredible weather. You got a lot near you, San Francisco, Santa Cruz beach, Gilroy, and aggriculture for off roading seasons ;)

There's a lot near you in The Bay. I will always be NorCal faithful :D

[NorCalN00b]

It pretty much comes down to two choices anyway... 1- S. CA, expensive or 2) Bay Area, more expensive... ;)

1) So Cal: Not as expensive as Nor Cal & plenty of beautiful women in bikinis walking around during the summer.

2) Nor Cal: If we're talking about expensive in terms of renting, then it isn't really that expensive except for SF. If you were referring to owning a home, then yes, it's very expensive to own a home not just in Nor Cal, but the whole entire state of People's Repulik of Kaliforniastan! In addition to high home prices, property taxes are also insane! And it's always so damn cold in SF, you won't find any women in bikini walking around the beach. If you do see a woman wearing a bikini and walking along the beach here, then you know she needs to seek psychiatric assistance. ;) :cool:

[MicahJames]

LOL... NorCal you make it very easy to see where your priorities are LOL

[G-Man]

It pretty much comes down to two choices anyway... 1- S. CA, expensive or 2) Bay Area, more expensive... ;)

there is an occassional spot in Blythe... its not expensive to live there, it gets rather toasty, but nothing a good pair of shorts won't be able to handle... except when you have to wear a wool uniform...

[Dipmo]

It pretty much comes down to two choices anyway... 1- S. CA, expensive or 2) Bay Area, more expensive... ;)

I've been looking at rent costs in both the bay and so cal and have found that the bay is a little cheaper for rents. Couple that with the recent report from quick data that shows the average two bedroom apartment rent in LA county is $1800.00 (Makakona would die to have that rent I'm sure) and I would rather end up in the east bay. My wife and I have put our finances in such place that we could go to either area and be okay, but cheaper is better. The central valley would be ideal, but from what I?ve read here that is just not going to happen.

[RoadDawg]

Well, as someone who has worked in So. Division, Central Division (Home) and Golden Gate Division, I guess Im qualified to say it depends on what precise area you are looking to live in. From what Ive seen overall, the Bay Area surpasses S. CA in cost of living, but then again, if you want to live in Beverly Hills it may surpass E. Palo Alto. No matter where you go, sometimes it?s better to wait until you report to the office to lock in a place to stay. There are always officers who have the latest info on the cheapest and best areas to live. If youre single, Craigslist can be a big help. I know many officers who just rent a room, for under $500 month.

My original comment was meant to be taken in general terms, yes Blythe, Needles, Barstow and El Centro all take cadets from time to time. The only office in the Central Valley that will take a cadet here and there is Coalinga, and from what I hear people are lined up to get in there. I would just go into the Academy with the expectation of reporting to the LA or Bay Area, and that way there will be no disappointment when (and if) you graduate.

[icrys20]

[pupdog]

Oh joy, a civil war in the making!

Bay area isn't expensive...I rent a house in the middle of vineyards near Gilroy for $400. Rent is free, along with a 90% pay raise, if I'll forget this whole CHP academy thing (haahaa).

[MicahJames]

Oh joy, a civil war in the making!

Bay area isn't expensive...I rent a house in the middle of vineyards near Gilroy for $400. Rent is free, along with a 90% pay raise, if I'll forget this whole CHP academy thing (haahaa).

*sigh* Your not bringing that up again are you? I'm gonna tell Teresa you aren't as cool as I thought. :lol:

Now get out there and show some norcal love ;)

[Mac]

Oh joy, a civil war in the making!
Dang right - us "rebs" down south want to secede from them uppity "nawtherners". :D

Seriously though - like the title of this thread says, it's all about choices. I can't stand NoCal, and my dislike for the bay area is equal to or exceeded only by my dislike for the entire megalopolis of L.A./Orange county. I would quite happily go to Blythe, Barstow, Needles, Winterhaven or El Centro before I'd even consider going to any NoCal office (or LA/OC again!). But then again, my choice would be the same if offered any of the above offices versus an office on the central coast.....I love the extremes and ruggedness of the desert, and don't like cold, wet, cloudy/foggy coastal climates....nor do I like the idea of living anyplace where snow actually sticks to the ground and things freeze in the winter. Large, dense concentrations of people, cars, buildings and roads (i.e. any big city) aren't my cup of tea no matter WHERE they're located - nor is the attached mentality (high-speed, high-tension, high-rollin'). Gimme a nice, simple place waaaaay out in the middle of nowhere with room to breathe and I'll quite happily deal with 120-degree summers!

[Tiredmotor]

It wouldn't be much of a war...us Northerners will just shut off all your water. Where is the line anyway? I've always said south of like Hollister/Gilroy area. I can say this....I will NEVER work down south....ever!!!

[Mac]

....Where is the line anyway?
LOL....it's a pretty fuzzy delineation, and probably depends entirely upon who you ask! I say it's everything north of LA, but I wouldn't have any problem if they gave you "Yankees" that armpit in the package too! Or we could do like England did with Australia, and just designate that whole county as its own independent prison colony! :badgrin:

We'll just have to hang on to the east side of the state so we have the Colorado River - gotta get that water somewhere!

...I can say this....I will NEVER work down south....ever!!!
That's the beauty of it all - there are follks who want to work everywhere in the state, so none of us are forced to go anywhere we don't want to go (first year out of the Academy and all promotions notwithstanding, of course!)

[Slim]

I've never considered anything from S.F. to be part of northern California. There are really five sections of the state. Nor Cal (north of Sacramento) Bay Area, Central Valley (Bakersfield to Sac), the desert and L.A. area. Northern California, the Central Valley and the desert are all afforadable. Unfortunately, I still haven't gotten back up to Nor Cal but I'm working on it.

Also, IMO, Blythe is a horrible place to live. Cheap, HOT, isolated and some of the least amount of services and crappy stores in any small town I've ever been in. It's a good place to be from.

[Tiredmotor]

Just add Coastal....

Come on its Northern and Southern California.....I can't keep track of all that! Go North!!!!

[makakona]

i'm also of the "anything north of los angeles" ilk.

i find small towns, as hot as some might be, quaint. we've been to blythe and it wouldn't bother me to live there. it'd surely beat where we are now! :smile:

[x MAIT]

It wouldn't be much of a war...us Northerners will just shut off all your water. Where is the line anyway? I've always said south of like Hollister/Gilroy area. I can say this....I will NEVER work down south....ever!!!

Being a motor, have you ever done much work up north?:lol:

x MAIT, x ELA motor

[Tiredmotor]

Hmmmmm....thats a good point.....especially if I promote!