jdubbs29
Legend (inyourownmind)
Reged: 08/01/11
Posts: 254
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Ok, here's the deal:
Married and living in San Francisco in a crappy, rent controlled apt. Tired of city living, cramped conditions, the MUNI, homeless. Looked outside of the city (Peninsula) but don't like it, plus its super expensive, like $1.2-1.5M for anything decent.
Plus its cold here, I'm tired of being cold, the surf is big but I can't get to it all that often due to work and then its double OH at SFOB and I'm out of shape for that, too many close calls in that place, Santa Cruz is far from here and crowded and there's mean wigger wannabees patrolling all the time and yelling at you (and that's just the women). My surf time is dwindling to nothing.
So I got in my head San Diego, and Carlsbad seemed to be a good option, close to the beach, reasonable real estate, safe, great weather. It's more beachy and laid back and people seem pretty mellow.
On the other hand, I'm in technology sales, and the market in SF is ridiculously good, like I could get any job I want pretty quick. Don't know how it is in San Diego, and don't know the pay down there either. On the other hand, it's so expensive here that I could get a big mortgage and ensure corporate slavery for another 20 years.
I've got nothing keeping me here, and wife is into it if we can make it work.
Talk me out of it...or into it?
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c_olden
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 09/04/07
Posts: 3187
Loc: (48°52.6′S 123°23.6̸...
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get a good wetsuit and suck it up.
learn to love OB in all it's moods.
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"The phone's for you. I think it's the Devil..."
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bird.
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 07/14/02
Posts: 2528
Loc: LA
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I'm pretty sure Kento has an opinion about Carlsbad. Great waves? I can't remember...
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stu dog
Duke status
Reged: 01/15/03
Posts: 21707
Loc: CA
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Quote:
Talk me out of it...or into it?
non-surfing college friend of mine who was born n' raised in SF area moved a couple years down to North SD with his 3 kids and wife. he's in medical sales and loving it.
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Kento
Duke status
Reged: 01/11/02
Posts: 35859
Loc: The Bar
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Quote:
I'm pretty sure Kento has an opinion about Carlsbad. Great waves? I can't remember...
Carlsbad is a great town. Very laid back, lot of fun places to hang out and decent food. SF blows doors on socal in regards to restaurants, though. It's good here but it's like comparing Tamarack to OB SF. Just unfair to draw comparisons. It's quaint though and there is far less bustle. Far less riff-raff too. Especially in North County.
SF spoils you with public transportation though. SD does try (more so than LA thats for sure) though. Spring/summer so they have two trains running now after 7 PM but just on Fridays.
Surf-wise, you'll have better winds and weather but north SD County is the weakest in the US - all coasts. There are a few spots that are decent but it's generally a crutchers paradise (those Coolio lyrics could use another spoofing). Word of warning: Linda Mar is like Shipsterns compared to the majority of waves around here.
Tamaracking: when a wave you paddle for inexplicably jacks downward and then mushes 100' inside of where it should have broken.
Delmarring: same thing but the wave never breaks and laps on the sand instead.
Some people seem to think this is normal though. 
All in all, though, Carlsbad is a great town to live in and raise a family. Very outdoorsy, people are laid back and friendly. Lot of good food and beer around too. 
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Nothing is obscene provided it is done in bad taste.
Russ Meyer
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Mr Doof
Tom Curren status
Reged: 01/23/02
Posts: 10366
Loc: San Francisco, CA
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Talk you into it or talk you out of it....
Make a list with two columns.
Title one SF, the other SD.
Only write the pros as you perceive them. Basing your choices in life on negatives seems wrong.
Whichever list is longer, well, that is where you stay/go.
Try to leave out any entries that smack of those various truisms regarding moving for a better life, like "grass is always greener on other side of the fence", "you take your problems with you", "home is where the heart is", etc.
By the way, you own a motorcycle? A BMW?
PS
I can't believe I didn't outright tell someone to move away (in hopes of making it easier for my aging body to catch those ever so few to makeable waves). 
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Mr Doof
Tom Curren status
Reged: 01/23/02
Posts: 10366
Loc: San Francisco, CA
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Quote:
Word of warning: Linda Mar is like Shipsterns compared to the majority of waves around here.
Spouting off on the Internet about the 'Mar will get you in trouble, mate.
Just a word to the wise.
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nrthcty
Nep status
Reged: 06/30/09
Posts: 926
Loc: N.S.D
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NORTH COUNTY SD IS ONE OF THE BEST PLACES ON EARTH TO LIVE. THE END
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jdubbs29
Legend (inyourownmind)
Reged: 08/01/11
Posts: 254
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Quote:
Talk you into it or talk you out of it....
Make a list with two columns.
Title one SF, the other SD.
Only write the pros as you perceive them. Basing your choices in life on negatives seems wrong.
Whichever list is longer, well, that is where you stay/go.
Try to leave out any entries that smack of those various truisms regarding moving for a better life, like "grass is always greener on other side of the fence", "you take your problems with you", "home is where the heart is", etc.
By the way, you own a motorcycle? A BMW?
PS
I can't believe I didn't outright tell someone to move away (in hopes of making it easier for my aging body to catch those ever so few to makeable waves).
Thanks Doof. Don't worry, I don't catch that many waves anymore at OBSF. Lived on Great Highway for a couple of years and got my fill then, that's for sure.
I've loved SF and all it has done for me, but it seems like such a struggle to stay here, and i don't feel that sense of community. Surfed at OBSF for 12 years and still don't know a soul ha ha. Haven't made great friends through the years (most have moved away). Plus, it's freezing all the damn time. I love the food for sure.
Just seems like a beachy, laid back place fits my personality best. I went to school in SB and still think fondly of those days. I've saved up enough to put a good down payment down and have a small mortgage in most places...except here. Just feel like a rat in a cage and ready to get out. Won't be for a while though.
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c_olden
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 09/04/07
Posts: 3187
Loc: (48°52.6′S 123°23.6̸...
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Quote:
Quote:
Word of warning: Linda Mar is like Shipsterns compared to the majority of waves around here.
Spouting off on the Internet about the 'Mar will get you in trouble, mate.
Just a word to the wise.
"It's my beach!"
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"The phone's for you. I think it's the Devil..."
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Kento
Duke status
Reged: 01/11/02
Posts: 35859
Loc: The Bar
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Quote:
Quote:
Word of warning: Linda Mar is like Shipsterns compared to the majority of waves around here.
Spouting off on the Internet about the 'Mar will get you in trouble, mate.
Just a word to the wise.
I know. I saw what happened to Kevin Bacon in Animal House.
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Nothing is obscene provided it is done in bad taste.
Russ Meyer
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Mr Doof
Tom Curren status
Reged: 01/23/02
Posts: 10366
Loc: San Francisco, CA
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Quote:
.... and i don't feel that sense of community. Surfed at OBSF for 12 years and still don't know a soul ha ha.
As an early morning and "surf before work" person, I don't have the time to meet people while surfing.
In the 20+ years I've been here I haven't made a friend I met at the Beach. Well, wait, the is Susan the jogging woman...no wait, I met her through Friend #1...he was far more outgoing than I and would introduce himself to everyone.
As Bob from Wise said to me in passing as I was fondling a board way too small for me, "People no longer hang out at the Beach. Its always surf and then off to do something else now. I don't know how anyone meets anyone any more."
But I digress.
Freezing? At least it feel warmer than that spot near the 
Though...the waves are better there. 
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Mr Doof
Tom Curren status
Reged: 01/23/02
Posts: 10366
Loc: San Francisco, CA
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Word of warning: Linda Mar is like Shipsterns compared to the majority of waves around here.
Spouting off on the Internet about the 'Mar will get you in trouble, mate.
Just a word to the wise.
I know. I saw what happened to Kevin Bacon in Animal House.
We're protective of the greatness that is the Bondi Beach of the north!
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SFKneelo
Gerry Lopez status
Reged: 02/11/03
Posts: 1200
Loc: Bay Area
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Doof lists are a good idea, as well as 'where do you want to be in 5 years'
Do you have, or are you planning to have kids?
I spent 15 years, mostly in Del Mar, with some La Jolla time. There's a lot of pluses for quality of life.
If you're working really close to Carlsbad, great. Commuting is a different kind of hell down there.
Like most places, there are outlets to that hell, but best to minimize that from the start.
Curious: What don't you like about the peninsula besides cost of housing?
$1.2-1.5 is a pretty high entry target, and half that is still a challenge.
Pacifica? Montara/Moss/El Granada/HMB?
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Pissbiscuit
Gerry Lopez status
Reged: 06/25/08
Posts: 1153
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Quote:
Surf-wise, you'll have better winds and weather but north SD County is the weakest in the US - all coasts.
White Rook, this is White Pawn. Tango has never surfed North Florida. I repeat, Tango has never surfed North Florida, over.
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Kento
Duke status
Reged: 01/11/02
Posts: 35859
Loc: The Bar
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Quote:
Quote:
Surf-wise, you'll have better winds and weather but north SD County is the weakest in the US - all coasts.
White Rook, this is White Pawn. Tango has never surfed North Florida. I repeat, Tango has never surfed North Florida, over.
Gulf Coast or Atlantic Coast?
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Nothing is obscene provided it is done in bad taste.
Russ Meyer
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jdubbs29
Legend (inyourownmind)
Reged: 08/01/11
Posts: 254
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Quote:
Doof lists are a good idea, as well as 'where do you want to be in 5 years'
Do you have, or are you planning to have kids?
I spent 15 years, mostly in Del Mar, with some La Jolla time. There's a lot of pluses for quality of life.
If you're working really close to Carlsbad, great. Commuting is a different kind of hell down there.
Like most places, there are outlets to that hell, but best to minimize that from the start.
Curious: What don't you like about the peninsula besides cost of housing?
$1.2-1.5 is a pretty high entry target, and half that is still a challenge.
Pacifica? Montara/Moss/El Granada/HMB?
Kids are a possibility, we're keeping open to the idea. I also don't like the Peninsula because it's not really that close to the beach, and we'd feel like we'd have to go to the city all the time for fun, which would be a pain. And wouldn't mind a bit warmer place to live. I think just kind of burned out on this area right now.
Pacifica, HMB etc, too cold and foggy, and not very charming to boot.
Since you lived there so long, definitely interested in getting more of your thoughts!
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bigmota
Grom
Reged: 02/26/03
Posts: 130
Loc: L.A.
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If you are in tech sales it should not be hard for you to find a gig anywhere from Irvine down to SD. The main difference is companies down south are of the hardware, mobile and embedded software type with some gaming companies.
SF sucks, I couldve moved up there and made some money but I always chose surfing over coding for some startup. If you plan to raise a family SD is THE BEST PLACE ON THE PLANET. Well, its pretty good and this comes from someone living in LA county.
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SeaFoamGreen
Legend (inyourownmind)
Reged: 04/10/09
Posts: 268
Loc: NorOR
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Much love for the HMB, El Gra, Montara, and south to Pescadaro. Small bucolic quiet towns striking distance to the City and Peninsula. Foggy summers, but pretty nice winters. Heard the traffic’s out of hand these days thou. Left almost 7 years ago now. But I’m a cold water guy. Prefer pines to palms.
But I think you are making a good case for yourself and Carlsbad. Not sure I would call it affordable there or the peps all that laid back. But its definitely got that beachy feel you seem to be looking for. Bay Area can no doubt be a grrrrrrind.
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Oh how the days will rain on you.
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ifallalot
Duke status
Reged: 12/17/08
Posts: 18022
Loc: Carlsbad, CA
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I made the same move 2 years ago, and I won't be going back up North after being born and raised there.
Pros
- Warm, good weather year-round
- Warm water
- Cheaper
- More laid back
- Much easier to find a non-crowded spot that isn't deadly via wave size/marine wildlife
- Better place to raise a family
Cons
- Boring if you are used to The City
- No KNBR
- Waves aren't good compared to Santa Cruz/San Mateo/SF coast (but still really fun)
- Carlsbad specifically is far from downtown/mid-county where many of the jobs are
All in all I'm happy I made the move. If we get a few more Bay people down here the Giants games at Petco may approach 100% Giants fans
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The only two things in life that make it worth livin is guitars tuned good and firm feelin women
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ifallalot
Duke status
Reged: 12/17/08
Posts: 18022
Loc: Carlsbad, CA
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One more thing, what you are paying for rent in The City would probably rent you a 3-5 bedroom house depending on how far inland you end up
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The only two things in life that make it worth livin is guitars tuned good and firm feelin women
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SFKneelo
Gerry Lopez status
Reged: 02/11/03
Posts: 1200
Loc: Bay Area
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JDubbs... lost a response to this
You'll get heaps of good (& funny) advise...
Feel free to PM as the search goes on.
It's definitely a great stretch with lots of options.
Cheers,
SFK
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mobius
Legend (inyourownmind)
Reged: 01/10/02
Posts: 426
Loc: California
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JDubbs I feel ya. Wifey and I have been running the SF rat-race for 12 years. Wife's a doc and I'm a programmer and we can't afford squat. Been looking in mid-sunset, Daly-city, P-town.. still tough to get anything decent less than 700,000. Just spent the weekend in Portland, OR. Stylish neighborhoods, good skate, foodie-culture, designy/big homes for less than 400,000 on tree-lined streets. Super tempting to make the move and get off the tread-mill a bit.
Your description of Bay-area/Santa Cruz surfing nailed it. OB never small enough, Santa Cruz too filled with aggro gnarly super-shredders. I pine for gutless/glassy beachbreak!!!!
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nimby
Legend (inyourownmind)
Reged: 02/14/11
Posts: 219
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Quote:
JDubbs I feel ya. Wifey and I have been running the SF rat-race for 12 years. Wife's a doc and I'm a programmer and we can't afford squat. Been looking in mid-sunset, Daly-city, P-town.. still tough to get anything decent less than 700,000. Just spent the weekend in Portland, OR. Stylish neighborhoods, good skate, foodie-culture, designy/big homes for less than 400,000 on tree-lined streets. Super tempting to make the move and get off the tread-mill a bit.
think twice before you do, I moved to Oregon after being an OB guy for decades.
Portland is a long haul from the surf. Closest is Seaside, hour and a half away, with a superb winter point wave patrolled by some truly gnarly locals who do not like the Portland weekend crew a bit.
Aside from Seaside, the rest of Oregon is pretty much all beachbreak, and we spend a lot of time waiting for either the swells to subside, or the sandbars to form.
With that said, If you don't mind driving almost two hours from Portland to surf, there are some fun to occasionally very good waves to be had with a mostly laid back scene. And if you like snowboarding, skiing, flyfishing, kayaking, mountain biking, coffee and beer, you could do a whole lot worse.
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SeaFoamGreen
Legend (inyourownmind)
Reged: 04/10/09
Posts: 268
Loc: NorOR
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Quote:
Just spent the weekend in Portland, OR. Stylish neighborhoods, good skate, foodie-culture, designy/big homes for less than 400,000 on tree-lined streets. Super tempting to make the move and get off the tread-mill a bit.
Your description of Bay-area/Santa Cruz surfing nailed it. OB never small enough, Santa Cruz too filled with aggro gnarly super-shredders. I pine for gutless/glassy beachbreak!!!!
Overrated. Simular treadmill. Taxes are high. Jobs are hard to come by. You will take a pay cut making it somewhat equal. Coders work for cheap around here, if they are not out of work and working at coffee shops. Not to mention this was the 1st sunny weekend in 6 weeks. Skateboarding hurts. And for the surf. After a 2 hour drive, you might find gutless, but not too much glass.
Personally I wouldn’t stress over owning a house. Not really worth it unless you know you are going to be somewhere for the next 20 plus years.
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Oh how the days will rain on you.
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R3W
Phil Edwards status
Reged: 02/19/02
Posts: 6112
Loc: Frisco
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I grew up down there but have lived in SF since the mid-70s. I couldn't move back unless I could also turn the clock back 35 years. It's unrecognizable to me now. When we visit I'm always saying things like "see those tract houses? I used to ride my mini bike there." To be fair I'm surprised it's not more overrun than it is.
SF is my home, warts and all. Now and then Doof picks me up before dawn and we head out of town for a little surf trip. That road reminds me of north county in the old days (and he hears about for the whole ride).
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Pissbiscuit
Gerry Lopez status
Reged: 06/25/08
Posts: 1153
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Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
Surf-wise, you'll have better winds and weather but north SD County is the weakest in the US - all coasts.
White Rook, this is White Pawn. Tango has never surfed North Florida. I repeat, Tango has never surfed North Florida, over.
Gulf Coast or Atlantic Coast?
Yes, based on your previous assertion. I could start torching spots from Del Mar to Trestles that drop steamy ones all up on the First Coast and Redneck Riviera. 
Edit: and JDubbs you have a hard but good choice vs. good choice decision to make. If I had to tranny from Florida sight unseen I'd pick SF.
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Kento
Duke status
Reged: 01/11/02
Posts: 35859
Loc: The Bar
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I'd have to truly see it to believe it.
For the record, OSide Harbor and north really should be considered Orange County in fairness.
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Nothing is obscene provided it is done in bad taste.
Russ Meyer
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Emiti
Miki Dora status
Reged: 06/26/05
Posts: 5280
Loc: Crayola Babylon
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Quote:
Personally I wouldn’t stress over owning a house. Not really worth it unless you know you are going to be somewhere for the next 20 plus years.
+1
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36 looks good on me.
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b.r.
Michael Peterson status
Reged: 12/19/03
Posts: 3403
Loc: Leucadia
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Quote:
Quote:
I'm pretty sure Kento has an opinion about Carlsbad. Great waves? I can't remember...
Carlsbad is a great town. Very laid back, lot of fun places to hang out and decent food. SF blows doors on socal in regards to restaurants, though. It's good here but it's like comparing Tamarack to OB SF. Just unfair to draw comparisons. It's quaint though and there is far less bustle. Far less riff-raff too. Especially in North County.
SF spoils you with public transportation though. SD does try (more so than LA thats for sure) though. Spring/summer so they have two trains running now after 7 PM but just on Fridays.
Surf-wise, you'll have better winds and weather but north SD County is the weakest in the US - all coasts. There are a few spots that are decent but it's generally a crutchers paradise (those Coolio lyrics could use another spoofing). Word of warning: Linda Mar is like Shipsterns compared to the majority of waves around here.
Tamaracking: when a wave you paddle for inexplicably jacks downward and then mushes 100' inside of where it should have broken.
Delmarring: same thing but the wave never breaks and laps on the sand instead.
Some people seem to think this is normal though.
All in all, though, Carlsbad is a great town to live in and raise a family. Very outdoorsy, people are laid back and friendly. Lot of good food and beer around too.
holy crap, did you already get a vasectomy? next thing you are gonna say something nice about the chargers 
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Kento
Duke status
Reged: 01/11/02
Posts: 35859
Loc: The Bar
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North County IS nice though.
The nicest thing about the chargers I can say is that I wholeheartedly endorse their loyalty to AJ Smith and Norv Turner. They're on their way to rock bottom at an almost faster rate than MC Hammer.
Raiders still haven't recovered all the way from Norv. 
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Nothing is obscene provided it is done in bad taste.
Russ Meyer
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JEwing
Rabbitt Bartholomew status
Reged: 04/12/04
Posts: 9964
Loc: Carlsbad
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I love it in Carlsbad.
This place is heaven on earth.
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You have to let other people be right'. 'It consoles them for not being anything else.
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Surfmut
Legend (inyourownmind)
Reged: 01/15/12
Posts: 375
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Quote:
I love it in Carlsbad.
This place is heaven on earth.
The fact that you recently discovered how great a place is that is only 30min from where you lived most of your life will never stop cracking me up  oh and im sure you still check in on your old spot j but anyone can correct me if im wrong but i heard ob has not broke right in years and this winter is when alot and i mean alot of die hard ob ers threw in the towel and got out of dodge. Its sad use to pick up all kinds of swell now any and i mean any swell direction it cant handle weird  good for you though j im pumped you found your spot you deserve it brother
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GDaddy
Phil Edwards status
Reged: 01/16/06
Posts: 7166
Loc: Carlsbad
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We've lived in Carlsbad for the last 20 years and we like it, but there are other towns nearby that do just fine, too.
It's an okay place to live, except that I generally go elsewhere to surf.
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silentbutdeadly
Tom Curren status
Reged: 09/26/05
Posts: 11646
Loc: Tower 13
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I think it would be a pretty safe mood. SD County is so diverse that you can live 15 minutes away from a completely different trip. Cbad would be a good call though since you could look for jobs in most of SD COunty as well as Southern Irvine.
As for surf? Chit, don't stress. I live in central SD and I regularly surf from the border to trestles.
IB 25 min, trestles 45. Tons in between.
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Thou shall not commit adulthood
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huryanpost
Billy Hamilton status
Reged: 12/09/10
Posts: 1566
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oh just admit it, your scared to wear your hoodie anymore,
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SFKneelo
Gerry Lopez status
Reged: 02/11/03
Posts: 1200
Loc: Bay Area
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Fun thread... especially since it's APRIL and more late season rain falls with the prospect of the off-season upon us.
Recommend: If here is an ache, go there and check it out.
Find some kind souls down there, and go. Now, July and late September. You'll see transition Spring, Summer predictability/feastivities, and Fall glory. (Go past September, and you know what that means...)
Align surf with above.
The family question factors in schools and such for the search, which will drive up costs.
Basic stuff, but IMHO, explore the change first hand. You may already have done this exploration, so apologies if this is known turf.
Again, good advise already given, and more to offer.
Mobius, you're E, yes? As said, there's a lot of 'grab and go' surfs, and if I pick you out, I'll be sure to give you next with a smile!
Signing off,
SFK
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ringer
Rabbitt Bartholomew status
Reged: 08/02/02
Posts: 9526
Loc: Huntington Beach, California
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I absolutely love SF.
But for living, North County is a much better place to be, especially for raising a family. Reasonable minds can differ, however.
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JEwing
Rabbitt Bartholomew status
Reged: 04/12/04
Posts: 9964
Loc: Carlsbad
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Quote:
Quote:
I love it in Carlsbad.
This place is heaven on earth.
The fact that you recently discovered how great a place is that is only 30min from where you lived most of your life will never stop cracking me up oh and im sure you still check in on your old spot j but anyone can correct me if im wrong but i heard ob has not broke right in years and this winter is when alot and i mean alot of die hard ob ers threw in the towel and got out of dodge. Its sad use to pick up all kinds of swell now any and i mean any swell direction it cant handle weird good for you though j im pumped you found your spot you deserve it brother
Well I like the cliffs but the swell up here is noticeably faster. Even at the mushiest reefs (terrible mar for example) it just grabs you and you're off to the races. But the real issue for me was the water quality. I would get sick EVERY time I went surfing. Sinus infections, ear infections and an occasional eye infection. I whined to everybody that would listen that the river was to blame but nobody cares. Why surf if you know the water is shyt laced? So I started taking photos.
News Flash... I don't get sick from this (Carlsbad) water so I'm surfing again and loving it. It's like starting over and that sucks but there's plenty of waves to go around here in Cbad. 
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You have to let other people be right'. 'It consoles them for not being anything else.
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HTB
Legend (inyourownmind)
Reged: 10/01/06
Posts: 283
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Quote:
Santa Cruz is far from here and crowded and there's mean wigger wannabees patrolling all the time and yelling at you (and that's just the women).
Could you elaborate on this ?
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