Where are nice places to raise a family in California?|116639

I_m considering moving my young family to California. What are some nice places to raise a middle class family there? My ideal place would be mid-sized towns/cities that are culturally diverse and have low crime and are generally nice suburban areas with comfortable sized affordable homes and good schools and jobs. Aesthetic views are a plus. Anyone have any ideas?

what is_ Aesthetic views _?

go thousands oaks or simi valley in SoCal

move to burlingame or san carlos in NorCal

There are a lot of places that are nice to raise a young family and most of California is culturally diverse so no problem there. Since California is a huge state with not a lot of job opportunities I would first worry about finding a job and then look in that region at the different communities. At least that way it would narrow down your options and make advice more useful and manageable.

Im Moving to Orlando Florida in 2009 to go to College, do you think ill be safe regarding hurricane wheather?|184250

I also wanted to know about the crime rate in comparasion to los angelos. I don_t plan to invest property, I just want to live in Florida for about 2 -3 years, knowing the do_s and donts about huricanes. I also heard that orlando hasnt had a direct hit in a while. What are the major cities at risk? Are there any hurricane free cities, if any?

If you are asking if you are personally at risk for injury from hurricanes in Orlando, I would say the chances are very small. It is not unlikely that Orlando will suffer another direct hit from a hurricane, but it certainly isn_t as severe as the coastal areas. As long as you stay inside and away from windows (all the obvious stuff) during a hurricane, you should be fine. During the 2004 hurricanes we were huddled around our battery operated radio after the power went out and there were actually people in the streets yelling and running around - those are the people that get hurt. Just have adequate insurance and know what you own in the case of a claim. That_s actually sound advice for anyone - not just someone in a hurricane prone area. Each year before hurricane season there are articles in the paper and on the news, pretty much everywhere you turn about what sorts of things to have on hand just in case - batteries, flashlights, radio (battery operated), water, food, etc. This is just a precaution, but a good idea to heed, just in case. There are not any hurricane free cities in Florida as it_s just too narrow. Pretty much any tropical system that lands on one coast will have the strength to make it to the other. Of course, it will weaken along the way. Hurricanes should not make you afraid to move to Florida as long as you are prepared and aware.

2007 was pretty much a NON hurricane year, here, but I doubt even meterologists can predict 08, much less 09.

The _season_ lasts through November, but weather is a variable, and has no calendar that it checks.

This past winter was the wettest I can recall, and I_ll be happy for a hot, dry summer.

Not so long ago Orlando, as well as other areas in FL, were studied and rated in a crime stats report, Orlando being very high on the list. The issue however, is not that there are roving bands of criminals pillaging and murdering. This is an area that depends on tourism, and the likelyhood is that tourists may endured higher incidences of crime, but most crime is very specific to locations, and ethnicities, as well as areas where a drug culture does business.

Nowhere on the planet should one expect ideals in any category. Hurricanes are dealt with here, as Tornados in Oklahoma, or in CALI, there are earthquakes. Florida is approx. 100 miles wide, +/-, and surrounded by 1300 plus miles of shoreline, washed over by the Atlantic and the Gulf. I think it_s safe to assume that our weather patterns and conditions can be changing by the hour, and certainly here the media gets to a point of being nauseous, when it comes to storms

Steven Wolf
Just my two _sense_

I am not a resident of Orlando, but I AM a lifelong Floridian. And when it comes to hurricanes, I_ve seen some _doozies_. From Frances, Jean, Charley and Ivan in 2004, to donna, Andrew, and countless other hurricanes and tropical storms. But, the point here is that these storms are spotted far out at sea, and we usually have as long as a week to prepare for them. If you aren_t living in a mobile home or a high rise apartment building, hurricanes are usually no big deal. But, even if a major storm were coming, you have plenty of notice, and the Florida transportation system is such that if you don_t wait until the last minute, you have plenty of time to move north or south depending on the situation.

What most Floridians have is a storm preparedness kit. There are all kinds of links to websites that tell you how to prepare. Most long time Floridians see a storm coming, we check the batteries in the radio, locate the hurricane lamps (aptly named), make sure they are filled with oil, locate a couple of flashlights, and fill up the car with gas. Beyond that, there really isn_t a lot you have to do with most storms except pull some money out of the ATM and check the cylinder on the gas grill. Even during Frances and Jeanne, both of which hit near here as well (I_m about a half hour north of Gainesville Fl, about two hours north of Orlando), we only lost our electricity for a total of 24 hours. So, it is very manageable as a weather situation. Don_t sweat it and enjoy the beautiful Florida weather. Miami and the Pensacola/Panama City area tend to get the most brushes from storms, Miami because it faces the Caribbean, and Pensacola because it is on the Gulf of Mexico. There are no cities in Florida that could be called _hurricane proof_, but the closer the center of the state you are, the less you have to worry. I will say that up in my area, which is just south of the Georgia border, direct hits are rare, but we HAVE had them over the years. Depends on the track coming in from the ocean.

The Crime rate in Central Florida, the area around Orlando, varies a bit. Much of the area is very safe, however, this is not a small town area and crime rates have soared recently. Some neighborhoods are safer than others, so you_ll need to do a bit of research. For the most part, avoiding certain areas, practicing some common sense safety stratagies like locking doors, being aware of your surroundings, etc.; will help keep you safe. Check out the links I_ve posted below.

Hurricanes are possible nearly everywhere in Florida. The Atlantic Ocean is less than 50 miles east of Orlando, the Gulf of Mexico is less than 70 miles west of Orlando. 2004 was the last time we had a direct hit, but we had 3 hurricanes pass over us within an 8 week period. Orlando is still safer than coastal towns, and most people learn to stay prepared. If you are from LA, then you are likely prepared for earthquakes....so hurricanes really should not be all that scary because at least we have warnings before hurricanes arrive.

Be sure to consider having renter_s insurance if you are renting your home. It isn_t just hurricanes that can cause problems, tornados, fires, thunderstorms, power outages can happen here too. Take a look at the preparedness links I_ve posted.....

Weather is unpredictable, so they_re is not much I can say. The crime rate varies from city to city, so it depends where you choose to live. If you live in the Windermere, the crime rate would be much lower as compared to if you lived in Pine Hills.The risk cities for hurricanes would be near the coast, and since Orlando is in Central Florida, you_ll be fairly safe. I don_t think that there would be any for sure hurricane-free cities in Orlando. You don_t have to be extremely worried about hurricanes if you keep yourself updated. One way is to watch the news somewhat regularly. When a hurricane comes, the local news stations will tell if you need to evacuate, and to which location. If you follow their orders, then you should be fine.

Don_t stress about hurricanes...just don_t rent a mobile home...lol!!!

Orlando is actually quite safe from hurricanes since it isn_t a coastal town...hurricanes lose their strength over land so it is strongest when it makes landfall/

We always know when a hurricane is coming and their is plenty of time to prepare. If you are concerned about not needing to evacuate...just pick somewhere inland...not a coastal place to live. The coasts acutally evacuate into orlando.

There is crime in parts of Orlando...the area near UCF isn_t that bad through...there is a newer area called Waterford Lakes with tons of shopping that is a quite popular area with some nice construction and pretty close to the school.

Could my hot looking wife get away wearing her bikini in a casino?|166210

I have a hot looking wife, looks like she_s early 30_s. She wants to wear her string bikini while playing black jack and craps in vegas. Do you think they_ll let her get away with that? Which casnos would?

You can_t get away with this on the strip or downtown.

However, you can do this at the Hard Rock Casino_s pool area. They have swim-up table gambling. Information here:

http://www.hardrockhotel.com/las-vegas/p��


Additionally, when my ex and I stayed at the Silverton, we hit the jacuzzi in the morning and played in our swimwear for about 2 hours when we came back in. Cocktail waitresses and pit bosses checked in on us normally, but didn_t mention anything about how we were dressed.

No. There_s a dress code. And men have to wear shirts too.

Hell No! That_s just sick to think about.

Where is the best place to elope in Las Vegas?|165143

My boyfriend and I are deciding to get married after 6 years of being together, but neither of us want the hoopla of a wedding. We are going to Las Vegas for Thanksgiving, and are looking to quietly get married. I am looking for a nice, classy place that is not themed or cheesy in any way. We don_t want to spend more than $1,000 so the Bellagio is out. Maybe four or so people will be in attendance. Thanks for all the suggestions.

http://www.alwaysandforeverweddings.com


Click on Lakeside Gardens or Royal Terrace.

The weather will be lovely in November for an outdoor wedding.

My daughter got married at Lakeside Gardens last year. The wedding was beautiful. The package included flowers and photographer. Check it out. And my daughter_s pictures looked just like the ones on the website so it_s very accurately depicted.

I think the Lake Las Vegas gondola wedding would be awesome too. You said just 4 people right? Very intimate and the pictures will be beautiful. Great memories.

Congrats on your upcoming wedding.

We got married in the Little chapel of the west its near mandalay bay and not cheesy at all,like you we wanted a ceremony with some class and this we feel was provided here. There are some pretty grotty chapels in Vegas so I would go somewhere that is recommended by someone who has been there rather than a book, a review or someone trying to be helpful because they know some on who got married at so an so.

it here is a photo,


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2416/2052��

This may also help

http://vegasuncovered.wordpress.com/2008��


http://vegasuncovered.wordpress.com/2008��


http://vegasuncovered.wordpress.com/2008��

My husband and I just got married there on the 15th and we went to Belleza wedding chapel. they weren_t expensive at all, it was the cutest little place ever, they were very helpful and did not rush us through it. we have some GREAT pictures and a video. they also let you do custom music to walk down the aisle and you get your first dance at the end of the ceremony. we had 48 people and everyone loved it.


http://www.bellezalasvegas.com/chapel.ht��

Go Downtown and purchase your license at the Marriage Bureau, then either have them marry you or go to the Little Chapel of the West. To keep the cost down do not use their flowers, or have them take pictures or record it. For rates check www.lasvegasnow.com

Well an early congratulations to you and your boyfriend! The link I posted in the source is a nice video on all the hot spots in Vegas. Hope it helps and congrats again!

Has anyone ever been to the Outer Banks in North Carolina?|161156

Particularly during the summer months? We will be there next week and staying near Nag_s Head. Does anyone have any suggestions on acitivities or where to eat? Bars? Is there a place to rent ATV_s?

There is plenty to do on the Outer Banks, you just need to know where to look. You have:
~para-sailing
~horseback adventures
~camping
~driving vehicles on vehicle access beaches
~fishing
~lots and lots of bars
~lots of put put golf
~Go Carts
~Beach!
~Lighthouses
~The Lost Colony
~Shopping

There is also alot of good restaurants
~Kelly_s
~Dunes
~Sooey_s BBQ
~La Fagota (Mexican)
~Dirty ***** (Highly recommended!!!)
~Beach Road Grill
~Sugar Shack
~Awful Authors
~Bob_s Grill (Great Breakfast)
and sooooo many more.

Nags Head has alot of shopping, you just have to look for it. It won_t be too hard to find. But what it really special is the local beach shops on the beach road. There are plenty of bars, you_ll just have to find them. Also I strongly suggest finding a visitor_s center where you can get coupon books that save you a fortune on anything from restaurants, candy stores, beach stores, and put put golf to discounts on jet ski rentals. Just google _things to do in Nags Head, NC_

Nags Head is the busiest location on the Outer Banks. Everything you need is there. Every place else is very quiet.

As for ATV_s, be very careful because each little community has different laws. I can tell you to pretty much forget riding ATV_s on the beach. Call Corolla ATV Adventure in Nag_s Head at 252-441-8875 for details on rentals and the laws.

Outer Banks IS kind of boring after a while but if you like sea food then good for you because like every restraunt is freaking seafood. lol