Moving to CA - close to DL (looking for new e-pal)

[kitsch]

Hi Krista,

I am a new SoCal resident. Came from IL about 7 months ago. I got the Deluxe AP. I have about 30-40 blackout days a year, but most of them are all the worst times to go that I would not consider going. Just something to consider. Eat good Chinese before you come. I cannot find anything good, so anyone who has good places, let me know, I want some good Chinese food now. And no Dunkin Donuts. That is one I reaally miss. And my Chicago Style Pizza. Just nothing is the same here! There is actually an upcoming Dis Meet on 6/24 for the Pirates Premiere as I recall. I am still deciding if I will go. Life here is definitley different and more realxed than IL. I personally love it and don't think I will ever move back to IL!

The area of Monterey Park/Alhambra/Rosemead/San Garbriel (10 mins east of downtown LA) and Roland Heights/Azuza/Walnut (20 mins east of downtown LA) serves some of the best Chinese food in the US. In fact, there was a great article a few years back in the Atlantic Monthly that proclaimed that San Gabriel Valley has the best food outside of China! There are close to 1000 Chinese restaurants in these areas ranging from cheap hole in the wall to grand dim sum palaces. The variety of cuisines offered is greater than those in San Francisco or NY. Only Vancouver has more.

I’m not sure exactly what type of Chinese food you’re looking for, but your best bet is to check out these streets. (If you live near Disneyland, Rowland Heights would be the closest).

• Monterey Park - Atlantic Boulevard, Garfield Avenue, Garvey Avenue
• San Gabriel - Valley Boulevard, San Gabriel Boulevard, Las Tunas Drive
• Alhambra - Valley Boulevard
• Rowland Heights - Colima Road, Nogales Avenue

Happy Eating

 

[kristadisneylover]

Thanks Kitsch!

I am going to be close to LAX (the beach side). Which town is closest to that area?

 

[kitsch]

Krista,
Monterey Park/Alhambra/Rosemead would be the closest. Just take the 405 north to the 10 East past downtown LA. The get off on any of these exits, Garfield, Atlantic, Rosemead, or San Gabriel and just explore.

Here's an article from travel & leisure on some of the restaurants there
http://www.travelandleisure.com/articles/dim-sum-and-then-some

Also if you decide to go to Rowland Heights check out this mini blog (see 19 April 2006)
http://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/mmmyoso/2006/04/index.html

These also a beautiful chinese temple near Rowland Heights in the town of Hacienda Heights calle Hsi Lai Temple. It's really worth the trip.
http://www.hsilai.org/

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

I think a little fear about a big move to a new place is normal, especially with so many unknowns. We lived near San Francisco in 1989 when the earthquake hit during the World Series. We quickly got under a table and rode out the quake. It was a bit scary, but we were all right. One thing is that California is prepared for earthquakes. I've lived places where they've had earthquake drills and it was clear that people were very ignorant about what an earthquake can do. While earthquakes can and do happen, thus far the big ones have occurred less often than hurricanes occur on the east coast.

No matter where a person lives, there will be people who love it there and people who hate it there and want to get away. When we moved to NorCal we were all scared except for my dad who had lived there for two years before he went to college. Well, we love it now. My brother has settled there with his wife, and I'm moving back there next week. I know that we definitely don't miss the cold.

 

[iceskatejen]

What you do in an earthquake depends on how big it is and where you are. If you're at home or inside and it's shaking for more than a few seconds, try to get under a sturdy table or desk and do what we call "duck and cover." Meaning, kneel down with your head between your knees and cover the back of your neck and head with your hands, fingers interlaced. If no table or desk is available, duck and cover against an inside wall (away from windows). If you're around any CA natives, you can pretty much tell how big it is by their reaction--if they're doing duck and cover, you'd better do it too. If you're driving, it'll feel like you have 4 flat tires (so I've been told--never have been in a car during one). Just pull over to the side of the road if you can. If you're outside, just try to get away from buildings and power lines if possible. If you're in bed, you're already in the safest place, just cover up to protect against glass. I'm a S CA native and have been through a lot of quakes (biggest being a 7.5). Most are small and we don't even feel them (generally they're centered out in the desert where nobody is). I don't feel anything smaller than a 4.0 unless I'm sitting completely still.

 

[kristadisneylover]

I appreciate the earthquake honesty - but now I am truly scared!!!

In my school we have lock downs mostly because of 911 - we have to take the class to the back of the room, close the shades, lock the doors and basically huddle together. Which - when you have 24 third graders - can be awfully hard. I am going to practice here in NJ.

Jedi - I just read your Disney World article. I was there April 22 - April 29th. I planned a trip for 8 adults. Had the best time of my life. By the way my husband was bummed about not being home for the draft - we were on a plane home.
Anyway - loved your article. Brought me back to my "home" Disney. However, I am going to quickly turn into a DL fantatic too.

IceskateJen- Thanks for the in detail "what to do". I keep picturing the "earthquake" ride in Universal Studios in Orlando FLorida.

 

[ACDSNY]

Welcome to California Krista

I'm sure you'll love the weather and beaches. Don't forget to travel down to San Diego too. SD Zoo, Sea World, SD Wild Animal Park, LegoLand and SD Marina.

I'll put in another vote for the deluxe annual pass. Most of the blackout days aren't ones you'd want to go on anyways (too crowded).

Even with DL you may need a WDW fix once and a great while.

Have a safe trip here.

 

[brando5111]

Hi Krista,

Welcome to Cali...

I'm from back east as well - upstate NY. We've been here for 10yrs but are moving this summer to Florida (I think Orlando). Anyway, it’s quite an adjustment. The weather is FANTASTIC - cannot beat it. But there is much to get used to. The food just is not up to par compared to the EC. Just the way it is. The traffic is brutal - again - just the way it is. I hope you don't have kids, as this will be a much easier transition. I have to be honest; I would not recommend Cali to raise your children.

I hope your hubby's offer is HUGE - cause it will cost you dearly to live here. Home prices are just silly. Anywho, don't worry too much about earthquakes, we've been here for 10 yrs and there is only 1 that I remember and it was only for about a minute and no damage. Big ones happen, but they seem very rare.

Anyway, good luck. We like Cali, but just don't feel it's "for us" anymore. Looking for a more home-town feel. You just don't seem to get that on the west coast (in my opinion). People can be very superficial. You will see many fake breasts and puffy lips. Oh and get used to hearing "like" - for some reason it must be used in every sentence by many in Cali (usually the 25 and under crowd)!

Best,
Brando

 

[Alex2kMommy]

We like Cali, but just don't feel it's "for us" anymore. Looking for a more home-town feel. You just don't seem to get that on the west coast (in my opinion). People can be very superficial. You will see many fake breasts and puffy lips. Oh and get used to hearing "like" - for some reason it must be used in every sentence by many in Cali (usually the 25 and under crowd)!

WOW. Never having visited southern California other than being on the way to somewhere else, I can't speak to the superficiality/artificiality of the residents. However, I have lived in a small town in northern California, visited Oregon many times, and lived in Seattle suburbs most of my life. I don't know anyone who has had implants, injections or liposuction. Certainly they exist here, but my guess is they are the exception rather than the rule. Maybe they all move to the L.A. area after surgery?

 

[Sleeping Jedi Beauty]

Thanks for reading Krista. I think you'll find that one of the best things about loving both Disney parks in the U.S. is that you can't really go wrong with which one you visit. It's just a matter of choosing the experience that you want and that fits into your budget.

 

[KPeterso]

Krista - I do have quite a bit of extended family in CA. My parents and I both moved out here. If they weren't here, I wouldn't be. Also by coincidence, my best friend from college moved out here from PA a month after me, so I also see her fairly regularly. I honestly just wish my parents would have done it 20 years ago when we first came out here. I always fancied myself a California girl!

Kitsch - thanks for the info on good Chinese. My friend and I are both dying for good Chinese. I am in the Irvine area, but she is in LA and near LAX, so maybe we will go to the Rosecrans area looking for some good stuff. Any other Chinese places down by me, I am open for any and all recomendations.

 

[lap3]

Krista - I do have quite a bit of extended family in CA. My parents and I both moved out here. If they weren't here, I wouldn't be. Also by coincidence, my best friend from college moved out here from PA a month after me, so I also see her fairly regularly. I honestly just wish my parents would have done it 20 years ago when we first came out here. I always fancied myself a California girl!

Kitsch - thanks for the info on good Chinese. My friend and I are both dying for good Chinese. I am in the Irvine area, but she is in LA and near LAX, so maybe we will go to the Rosecrans area looking for some good stuff. Any other Chinese places down by me, I am open for any and all recomendations.

Definitely the San Gabriel Valley has a high concentration of some excellent and authentic chinese restaurants. If you do a search for "Sam Woo" in your area, try this place as well. If there's none near you, take notice of where they're located and if you're ever in that area, pay them a visit. The price is cheap, the food is authentic, and it's tasty!

 

[kristadisneylover]

Brando - We have fake breasts around here too - probably not the same as out there. We are moving with the intent of coming back in a few years or moving somewhere else. It's going to be an adventure - a way for me to "broaden my horizons" outside of NJ.
We are going to be okay financially - and no we do not have kids yet. Soon - but not yet. Thanks for being so honest



Kristin- I wish my parents were coming - but in a way - it's our chance to do something a bit crazier than we ever would do. I always said I would NEVER leave my family. If you asked me 5 months ago - I would have said NO. However, things have a way of changing when they are in your face.

 

[DBinMV]

KPeterso - There is a Sam Woo on Culver near the 5. For lower cost Chinese food, try China West off of Harvard and Main. Their hot and sour soup is quite good.

Also, I forget the names, but there are a couple good places near the 99 Ranch Market on Walnut.

DBinMV

 

[kitsch]

Kitsch - thanks for the info on good Chinese. My friend and I are both dying for good Chinese. I am in the Irvine area, but she is in LA and near LAX, so maybe we will go to the Rosecrans area looking for some good stuff. Any other Chinese places down by me, I am open for any and all recomendations.

Not sure about places in Irvine as I don't go that far south very often. However, you might want to check out the area of Westminster/Garden Grove. It's basically Little Saigon, but there are plenty of Chinese places sprinkled around. I mainly go there for the Vietnamese seven course meal (Bo 7 Mon) at Pogolac, 14580 Brookhurst St. It's really fantastic. Yes, there are other places here in LA that have this dish, but Polgolac is my favorite.

 

[Magix]

I appreciate the earthquake honesty - but now I am truly scared!!!

Don't get scared. They don't happen that often (not ones you'd notice, anyway). I've only been through maybe 3 really sizeable ones, only 2 that I remember (one was Sylmar when I was very young). They can be scary, but they only last a short time and then it's just a matter of calming your nerves. You should probably put together some earthquake kits after you get settled into your home, just to have on the off-chance that the fabled "big one" occurs. One big kit for your home and small ones for each of your cars. Just the basics... water, food, change of clothes, etc. Lots of places online to get info. I've never needed my kit after an earthquake, but it sure has come in handy in a million other situations!

Dealing with an earthquake is no different than dealing with a tornado or hurricane or flood or some other potential disaster (except you get no warning, which may be a good thing when you think about it). Don't dwell on it and you'll see that you're fine when one happens. Just get into a doorway or under a table, if it feels like it's a strong one (or it makes you feel better). The advice from iceskatejen to follow the lead of the locals is very sound. If we're worried, you should be too. If we're not, you don't need to be, either.

And, for the record, there are more people in the LA area who have never had liposuction/injections/surgery than there are who have had it. We get a bad wrap because of the various vain celebrities who do that stuff. I've never known anyone in my day-to-day life who's had that kind of thing done. I've seen a few, but I've never known one.

Two recommendations for mexican food: Taxco Salcedo's in Baldwin Park (on Franklin, I think??), right alongside the 10 fwy and the Burnt Tortilla in Gardena on Artesia Blvd, right at the end of the 91 fwy. Burnt Tortilla is much closer to you. It's my Dad's favorite. Taxco's is mine.

 

[brando5111]

I guess it's where you live - Valencia has a large concentration of fake implants and puffy lips - What can I say? I see them everyday when I drop my son off at school and they pull up in (1) a BMW or (2) the Caddy Escalade - and of course they must have vanity plates "like" hubbysgrl, Lvnmylfe, All4me, tkncareof, etc...

This is why I make sure I keep throw-up bags on-hand in my car!

Sorry to say, but this is my "reality" show!

Laughing,
Brando