Going back to Cali, Cali, Cali, going back to Cali???

[NoShitThereIWas 0]

So I am finally graduating from college, it only took me until 34 to do it and I am brave enough to apply to grad school now ... Applying to a few schools but focusing on USD and UH at Manoa.

I lived in So. Cal for 23 years and that was 11 years ago... I thought I would never go back but it looks like my family and support net are moving to the inland empire. I may end up making Perris and/or Elsinore my new home DZs. I have enjoyed Missouri, the state has been pretty good to me but my main job at my home DZ along with my home DZ are gone and my family (support net) has to move back to Cali. Along with that, there are no marine bio grad school programs offered here smack dab in the middle of the U.S. which is my next step, so other than a great group of friends whom I adore and my house, there is not much for me here after I graduate.

I always hated the rat race, traffic, pollution and crime of So Cal. which made me swear I would never go back to live there, so it is completely ironic but I have to admit there are a lot of things I miss, especially the ocean. I know the 4 Way and 8 Way teams are hot out there and I am looking forward to getting back into skydiving after a bit of a break ... After doing an Airspeed Ultimate Skills Camp, my abilities and skills are in tune to do some competitive RW.

It has been so long since I have been there I am sure things have changed a lot, I hope for the better. I was wondering if anyone had any info on USD, the elementary/ junior high/ high schools in the areas of Temecula, San Diego, Lake Elsinore, Riverside ... I am doing my own research too but it always helps to hear from the locals themselves. I don't worry much about crime where I live now and I would love to live in an area with clean air, less traffic and little to no crime.

Also, does anyone know anything about the graduate marine bio program at University of San Diego?

Thanks to all the Cali peeps.

PS. Just to add, the part of So. Cal. I used to live in was the Valley/ L.A. area so I am really not familiar with the Inland Empire/ Lake ELsinore area, San Diego ... I have a boat and I like to skydive and water ski. I know where the good DZs are, are there any good lakes for water skiing? Anyone ski on Lake Elsinore?

Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires."

Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

[diablopilot 2]

Talk about a rock and a hard place.

Missouri, or the I.E.? Wouldn't want to have to choose either.


Dunno what you're looking for in a School but the Central Coast is BEE-A-U-TEE-full, and UCSB and Cal Poly can be found here. Plus it's not to far of a drive when you MUST visit the IE.

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You're not as good as you think you are. Seriously.

[ZigZagMarquis 9]

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Anyone ski on Lake Elsinore?

You're kidding? Right?

Personally, I wouldn't even touch the water in Lake Elsinore... why? When you're ridding to altitude in one of the jump planes at Skydive Elsinore and you can look down and see the "tracks" of where boats or jet-ski's have been motoring around the lake in the water, 5, 10, 15 minutes after they passed that way... you gotta know the water is really polluted... or really full of algae, at the least...

Anyway, there is Lake Perris or Canyon Lakes too, but I don't know much about either.


Anyway... Anyway... I know what you mean about the Valley / L.A. I wish those of us up in the "desert" part of SoCal could cut-away and become part of Nevada... like it was supposed to be!... and let the Valley / L.A. be "California"... or go back to being part of Mexico... might as well throw San Fran and Sacramento in with that too... Northern California can come with us and be part of Nevada too or become part of Oregon if they want... we'll keep San Dog though, that place is okay.

[NoShitThereIWas 0]

Well, to be honest, for being a spoiled Hawaii/ Californianite, I have been pretty impressed with Missouri. I never would have thought in my wildest dreams when I was younger that I would move here ... but this state is actually a beautiful state and the people are wonderful and down to earth. The only thing I really hate about this state is that it is 10 degrees outside right now . Winters here are really cold at times ... but under the right circumstances it never bothered me getting through winter here. Of course, I was in a serious relationship with someone and had my home DZ friends to hang out with all the time and family nearby. That always made things bearable. But let me tell you, the seasons here are beautiful, there is not a lot of pollution or crime, not much traffic where I live, very affordable and like I said, the people are so nice! Missouri is a great state, better than I ever thought it would be!!!

Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires."

Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

[NoShitThereIWas 0]

Really? That sucks about Lake Elsinore ... I thought I read somewhere that they were completely changing the lake and building marinas and there was lots of fishing ... Maybe that was a different lake that I was reading about. I read something about some kind of renovation and also about charging $10.00 just to use the boat ramp which I thought was kind of steep...

That is a shame. When I used to live in So. Cal. I grew up waterskiing on the upper Lake Castaic but I think that is kind of far from where I am talking about. I remember the lower lake being pretty polluted ... Thanks for the PMs and responses guys, please keep the information coming.

Going back to Hawaii is still my first choice if I get into UH's graduate program ... but I am getting a lot of pull from family to move out to S.D., Temecula, Lake Elsinore area. I have been to Elsinore to skydive once or twice and have jumped a little in Perris but never got out much away from the DZs. There used to be a casino called The Bicycle Club (think it was in Elsinore) and I used to go there once in a while but other than that, I am not so familiar with any of those areas, especially recently.

Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires."

Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

[ZigZagMarquis 9]

Well, that's my impression of Lake Elsinore. Talk to some of the locals. If they paint a better picture, go with that; I've never been much of a boat / water skiing person... never appealed to me.

From what I've seen, the town of Perris is a shit hole; not a really nice place... wouldn't go walkin' around town there even during the day & even with shotgun, side-arm and back-up piece... let alone at night (my 2 cents), but the DZ is a totally different place and is pretty cool. There's gotta be nice places around there though.

I used to get down to San Dog a lot about 10 years back, but not so much anymore. Temecula seemed nice, at least what I saw of it driving by on the 15, but seems to me the last time I got down towards Dog Town things were pretty built up all the way out to Temecula, but take that with a grain, just my impression.

[micro 0]

"I don't think so"

(since no one answered the OP subject line lyric correctly, I figured I'd chime in... 'cause it just needed to be answered)

I miss Lee.
And JP.
And Chris. And...

[ZigZagMarquis 9]

Well, there is this too...


Spent my days with a woman unkind,
Smoked my stuff and drank all my wine.
Made up my mind to make a new start,
Going to california with an aching in my heart.
Someone told me theres a girl out there
With love in her eyes and flowers in her hair.
Took my chances on a big jet plane,
Never let them tell you that theyre all the same.
The sea was red and the sky was grey,
Wondered how tomorrow could ever follow today.
The mountains and the canyons started to tremble and shake
As the children of the sun began to awake.
Seems that the wrath of the gods
Got a punch on the nose and it started to flow;
I think I might be sinking.
Throw me a line if I reach it in time
Ill meet you up there where the path
Runs straight and high.
To find a queen without a king;
They say she plays guitar and cries and sings.
La la la la
Ride a white mare in the footsteps of dawn
Tryin to find a woman whos never, never, never been born.
Standing on a hill in my mountain of dreams,
Telling myself its not as hard, hard, hard as it seems.

[micro 0]

well i certainly prefer Zep to LL any day of the week.

I miss Lee.
And JP.
And Chris. And...

[Stuntbabex 0]

I lived in Corona for about 20 years and just moved to Irvine. As with any county, there are good cities and bad cities. Corona is about 15 min north of the Elsinore dz and 1/2 hour away from Perris Valley. Its growing extremely rapidly and starting to look almost like Orange County now. New track homes are popping up starting at like the 400s-500s. As far as schools go, the Corona/Norco district is pretty decent.

If you want a city with an ultra low crime rate tho, Irvine is a good bet (its where I live right now). There is so little crime that the cops have nothing to do. I leave my car door unlocked every night and never have to worry about something going missing. Also you mentioned clean air.... Having lived in Riverside county for so long, I developed an enviornment-enduced case of asthma when I was in high school. I had to use an inhalor. When I started living in Orange County, however, that all went away. The air is definately cleaner out here.

Anyways, thats just my opinion of everything. IE is ok but I like OC better

[NoShitThereIWas 0]

Forgive me Micro ... I must be completely out of the California loop but can you translate?
Thanks!

(Not the I don't think so ... I got that part)

Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires."

Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

[Grips 0]

I don't think so

Sorry, couldn't resist.

[fields 0]

Have you considered SIO at UCSD.

For oceanography, the big graduate programs on the west coast are U.Washington, Oregon State, and Scripps.

There are marine science programs where I work at UCSB, but it way far from Elsinore.
Marine Science Institute,
Interdepartment graduate program in Marine Science,
Ecology, Evolution, Marine Biology

"And the sky is blue and righteous in every direction" Survivor Chuck Palahniuk

[ZigZagMarquis 9]

The study of Ecology, Evolution and the United States Marine Corps!!?? Now that's an odd combination!!?? But maybe NoShitChick would be into that?

[skybytch 273]

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I don't worry much about crime where I live now and I would love to live in an area with clean air, less traffic and little to no crime.

Then don't move to the IE. I lived there for almost 10 years. Traffic sucks and keeps getting worse, the air is not what I'd call clean (better than LA proper but not clean) and there's plenty of crime (Riverside county is one of the biggest areas for meth in the country). The schools in Elsinore and Hemet (east of Perris, less expensive housing than Temecula) are not all that good either (my kid went to Hemet public schools, my niece is going to private school in Elsinore).

Guess it really depends on how much you can afford to spend on housing and living expenses. Personally I'll never move back; NorCal has everything I need with the advantages of way nicer people and way cleaner air.

[micro 0]

Quote

Forgive me Micro ... I must be completely out of the California loop but can you translate?
Thanks!

(Not the I don't think so ... I got that part)

zigzag quoted a zeppelin tune that had a similar lyric to the LL Cool J song you referenced... I was just saying I preferrend zep to LL, that's all... not at all related to your pending decision, sorry for the hijack. good luck w/ grad schools by the way

I miss Lee.
And JP.
And Chris. And...

[DJL 235]

Hey, I want to move to San Diego this year...and as early as possible. Want me to grab a moving truck and pick you up along the way.

I'll bet Otay Reservoir is pretty good and there's San Diego Harbor. I'm going to live on a House Boat when I'm there. I'll let you tie it to the stern as long as I can use it.

"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

[NoShitThereIWas 0]

Hell Yeah! I'm right on your way! Gotta wait until I graduate tho. That's not happenin' until May 17th . A houseboat? That sounds way cool!

PS. Why moving to SD?

Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires."

Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

[DJL 235]

Quote

Hell Yeah! I'm right on your way! Gotta wait until I graduate tho. That's not happenin' until May 17th . A houseboat? That sounds way cool!

PS. Why moving to SD?

Done with the East Coast, need to live somewhere with better access to the Ocean, DZ's, and snow covered Mountains. Right now I'm trying to eliminate my belongings so I can just drive there with a few things and a motorcyle trailer.

Ok, be in front of your place at 3PM on the 18th. Bring Sun Chips.

"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

[BikerBabe 0]

Quote

Quote

I don't worry much about crime where I live now and I would love to live in an area with clean air, less traffic and little to no crime.

Then don't move to the IE. I lived there for almost 10 years. Traffic sucks and keeps getting worse, the air is not what I'd call clean (better than LA proper but not clean) and there's plenty of crime (Riverside county is one of the biggest areas for meth in the country). The schools in Elsinore and Hemet (east of Perris, less expensive housing than Temecula) are not all that good either (my kid went to Hemet public schools, my niece is going to private school in Elsinore).

Guess it really depends on how much you can afford to spend on housing and living expenses. Personally I'll never move back; NorCal has everything I need with the advantages of way nicer people and way cleaner air.

Yah, i agree about Riverside/San Bernadino counties. However, Inland North County San Diego is a very nice place to live! Poway, Rancho Bernardo, Escondido, Mira Mesa, etc. Lived in both, and we're seriously considering staying in Poway for a good while, now.

Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup!

[NoShitThereIWas 0]

Sounds GREAT!
We are going to have to downsize too. Luckily not by much though. Moving from a 3 Bd/ 2 BA and hoping to move into a 3 Bd/ 2 Ba. I do have a Jeep, a Kymco 250 and a SeaDoo though. I am sort of high maintenence like that. I think I may sell the Kymco though . BikerBabe says it is good to have a bike out there with all the traffic. Maybe I will sell the scooter here and get a motorcycle out there. Probably not. I think I will need all my money for housing.

As for docking the SeaDoo on your stern and you getting to ride it. Hell Yeah, sign me up for that one too! . Always good to know other people who know about boats. That way I get to ski now and then too

Sun Chips???

You are easy! and way low maintence! Which flavor???

Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires."

Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."

[Conundrum 1]

Out of your small selection, I would suggest moving to San Diego. It's a great city, great weather, lots to do, good DZ, good people, BUT, it's expensive.

Of course, california isn't the only place with an ocean, either.

[DJL 235]

Quote

Sounds GREAT!
We are going to have to downsize too. Luckily not by much though. Moving from a 3 Bd/ 2 BA and hoping to move into a 3 Bd/ 2 Ba. I do have a Jeep, a Kymco 250 and a SeaDoo though. I am sort of high maintenence like that. I think I may sell the Kymco though . BikerBabe says it is good to have a bike out there with all the traffic. Maybe I will sell the scooter here and get a motorcycle out there. Probably not. I think I will need all my money for housing.

As for docking the SeaDoo on your stern and you getting to ride it. Hell Yeah, sign me up for that one too! . Always good to know other people who know about boats. That way I get to ski now and then too

Sun Chips???

You are easy! and way low maintence! Which flavor???

I'm going to be moored out in the harbor so access wouldn't be easy but don't worry, I'd make sure it stays running.

"I encourage all awesome dangerous behavior." - Jeffro Fincher

[NoShitThereIWas 0]

OK, so far with the research I have done ... I am thinking about Temecula. Murrieta isn't bad but it is further from school.

Anyone who lives out that way, what do you think about Temecula? Are there good public or private schools for elementary out that way? We could be moving as soon as June of this year.

My Mom says she is pleasantly surprised with Riverside area. I am not sure exactly which part but I think she is about 5 miles from the courthouse. So that is good news. She said everyone is very friendly, there are lots of palm trees and neat restaurants and shopping centers.

I look forward to having an inground pool again someday

If anyone knows any mortgage brokers or appraisers in the area, we are looking to make some contacts. Also, maybe looking at REOs but so far, the houses don't seem that bad for California. I wonder how long the prices will stay this way?

Roy Bacon: "Elvises, light your fires."

Sting: "Be yourself no matter what they say."