Moving to Boulder or El Segundo, Crazy to go LA?

Hey guys, new poster here although I've perused the site for quite a while.  To start I'm not a technical climber at this time, more a peak bagger who enjoys harder scrambles up to low 5th class.  Although I'll be working to get into trad to be able to summit via more challenging technical lines.

Anyways I live in the Bay right now and am looking to change jobs, hence the situation in the title.  Have offers in both places.  Main reason I'm leaning LA is I really love the Sierra and eastern CA desert (greater Death Valley NP area in particular).  I know traffic is abysmal in LA even compared to the Bay, but the job there would give ample opportunity for 3 day weekends or other flexible schedule situations, so I'd get to spend a ton of time away from the concrete jungle.  I'll be getting out on trips a large portion of my weekends, so this isn't just about going out a couple times a season or something.

I know Boulder is a climbing mecca, but even if I get into technical climbing I'm not sure how much I'll be into local cragging versus just getting out into the mountain backcountry.  Maybe that's just absurd and I'd think so to if I got more into that type of climbing, I don't know.  The Sierra seems like about the best place for backcountry technical climbing in addition to the scrambling, of course that's a big generality as there's quite a lot of good stuff like that in or around CO like RMNP.  There's also the Winds 6-7 hrs away that are sort of like a mini Sierra in my experience.  I do worry about the crowds in the mountains around the front range since getting out there seems to be a favorite pastime for a large portion of the (growing) population there.  

Meanwhile in the Sierra there's the dreaded permit system, which actually works for me with just getting walkin permits.  I do like to hike in and camp as part of a climb, so those type of options are important to me, and the Sierra is great for this if you can live with the walk ins.

I'm not much of a skier so that part of CO's offering isn't a big loss for me.  And money wise CO would be a bit better, but the LA salary would go a long ways towards balancing the situation.  I'd be comfortable either place.

As for getting out to the desert (again peakbagging, canyoning, driving my Jeep on crummy roads, generally just exploring remote wilderness), Boulder would require going 6 or so hours over to UT, instead of 3-4 hours out to the Mojave or Death Valley area.  UT is of course awesome and way better for climbing with the creek and all, but at least in the near term I think I'd prefer to have the CA desert a bit closer.  And there's always Red Rock if I do get into more technical pursuits.

Anyways, interested to hear what people think, especially those in this sub forum who live in LA.  Would you instantly move to Boulder if you could, making the direction I'm leaning seem crazy?

LA has it all...not just access to tons of amazing climbing but I would move to Boulder long before even considering LA...scratch that, I would never consider living in soCal again. That place is lame for waaay too many reasons.

The beaches are closer to LA.

The weather is better in LA.

I work near El Segundo and its horrible. Driving anywhere worth climbing is 2 hours, housing prices are nuts, and the amount of people everywhere sucks.

Mike0110 wrote: Driving anywhere worth climbing is 2 hours, housing prices are nuts, and the amount of people everywhere sucks.

You're talking about Boulder, right?

The secret to LA is to live close to where you work. To go climbing it’s just like the bay... hit the road at 4a your golden.

Most rock climbing on the East Side and Southern parts do not even require permit to hike into.

We do have lots of local rock climbing that’s good year round.

Tough problem... I envy you.   

Follow the money.

Guy Keesee wrote: The secret to LA is to live close to where you work. To go climbing it’s just like the bay... hit the road at 4a your golden.

Most rock climbing on the East Side and Southern parts do not even require permit to hike into.

We do have lots of local rock climbing that’s good year round.

Tough problem... I envy you.   

Yeah I'd be looking to be within biking distance of work in LA to either avoid the gridlock or keep it to a relatively short duration.  The thought of a motorcycle to split lanes is even intriguing if I wanted to live a bit further out, although this is balanced by the thought of maiming myself heh.

Anyways thanks for the replies so far guys, as expected pretty mixed bag in opinions ha ha.

jasari wrote:Would you instantly move to Boulder if you could, making the direction I'm leaning seem crazy?

No. 

I moved from the Bay area to southern California when I retired, although deliberately not near LA, to be closer to the deserts and access to the eastern Sierra.  I love it here but there isn't a chance in hell I would be a car commuter in this area.  This is why you always hear people say to live as near as possible to where you work.

The "logical" answer would be to move to Boulder because, even though it is relatively expensive, it will be less expensive and a lot less crowded than El Segundo.  And the traffic will be non-existent compared to the commute hell that is LA.  But it sounds like your heart is leaning you towards the El Segundo job.  If so, one thing to look into is the possibility of living east of the 605 and commuting into El Segundo from the Norwalk station (with a bike on Board?) on the Green Line.  This gives you time to relax, read, work on the train instead of being in the insane traffic. And when you do want to get out of town, it puts you at least an hour closer to where you might want to go.

Good luck with your decision.

Guy Keesee wrote: The secret to LA is to live close to where you work. To go climbing it’s just like the bay... hit the road at 4a your golden.

this is correct   

Eric Carlos wrote:

You're talking about Boulder, right?

Don't ruin my dreams of Boulder being different.

jasari wrote: Hey guys, new poster here although I've perused the site for quite a while.  To start I'm not a technical climber at this time, more a peak bagger who enjoys harder scrambles up to low 5th class.  Although I'll be working to get into trad to be able to summit via more challenging technical lines.

Anyways I live in the Bay right now and am looking to change jobs, hence the situation in the title.  Have offers in both places.  Main reason I'm leaning LA is I really love the Sierra and eastern CA desert (greater Death Valley NP area in particular).  I know traffic is abysmal in LA even compared to the Bay, but the job there would give ample opportunity for 3 day weekends or other flexible schedule situations, so I'd get to spend a ton of time away from the concrete jungle.  I'll be getting out on trips a large portion of my weekends, so this isn't just about going out a couple times a season or something.

I know Boulder is a climbing mecca, but even if I get into technical climbing I'm not sure how much I'll be into local cragging versus just getting out into the mountain backcountry.  Maybe that's just absurd and I'd think so to if I got more into that type of climbing, I don't know.  The Sierra seems like about the best place for backcountry technical climbing in addition to the scrambling, of course that's a big generality as there's quite a lot of good stuff like that in or around CO like RMNP.  There's also the Winds 6-7 hrs away that are sort of like a mini Sierra in my experience.  I do worry about the crowds in the mountains around the front range since getting out there seems to be a favorite pastime for a large portion of the (growing) population there.  

Meanwhile in the Sierra there's the dreaded permit system, which actually works for me with just getting walkin permits.  I do like to hike in and camp as part of a climb, so those type of options are important to me, and the Sierra is great for this if you can live with the walk ins.

I'm not much of a skier so that part of CO's offering isn't a big loss for me.  And money wise CO would be a bit better, but the LA salary would go a long ways towards balancing the situation.  I'd be comfortable either place.

As for getting out to the desert (again peakbagging, canyoning, driving my Jeep on crummy roads, generally just exploring remote wilderness), Boulder would require going 6 or so hours over to UT, instead of 3-4 hours out to the Mojave or Death Valley area.  UT is of course awesome and way better for climbing with the creek and all, but at least in the near term I think I'd prefer to have the CA desert a bit closer.  And there's always Red Rock if I do get into more technical pursuits.

Anyways, interested to hear what people think, especially those in this sub forum who live in LA.  Would you instantly move to Boulder if you could, making the direction I'm leaning seem crazy?

Boulder is fake.

LA is fake.

What's real anymore?

Tradiban wrote:
Boulder is fake.

LA is fake.

What's real anymore?

Not woodson

I love Southern California moved from Tennessee where there is tons of amazing climbing. In 5 hours I can be in any climate. You can surf in the morning and be in the snow or desert in the afternoon. Not to mention food while boulder definitely has some good eateries I don’t think it can come anywhere near what la has to offer. 

I lived in  El Segundo for the last 2 years you can indeed surf in the morning but if you try and head to the mountains in the afternoon you’ll still be stuck in traffic on the 10 by nightfall....

it’s a beautiful small town surrounded by 50 miles of traffic on one side and the ocean on the other.

Also for reference I lived in downtown El Segundo and I paid 2000 a month for a 2 bedroom with a garage and that was a steal.

If you're working in El Segundo and living in El Segundo or the South Bay you can have a terrific quality of life (assuming you're moving there for a career op that pays well).

I don't know where you live in the Bay Area but I've lived in both places and don't see traffic being any worse in SoCal than the Bay Area. There's a terrific gym right near LAX and, yes, incredible access to climbing that is much closer than anything you had in the Bay Area.

Boulder is lovely but a dead end professionally unless you are in academia or commercial cannabis. 

^^^ You’re a little out of touch with Boulder if you think it’s either academia or commercial cannabis .But that’s okay.

I have lived in NorCal, SoCal, and (currently) the Front Range. Here are some thoughts:

• A big difference in Colorado is the lack of an ocean. However, the many rivers and lakes can make up for that. Unless you are a surfer, it's not a big deal. The weather in Boulder is not difficult to get used to either. It has been sunny and in the 50s for much of this winter.
• If you like mountains and backcountry, Boulder is amazing. You'll have easy access to unlimited options within a short radius. Even the foothills are great for day hikes and just outside of town. There is a decent amount of alpine trad here, but the Sierra is better for that (assuming you're good for driving there from LA on a regular basis).
• As for technical climbing, there are infinite options near Boulder, even if you only climb 5.6. The Front Range is climbable year round, even in winter on sunny days. You'll have to hone your skills for alpine trad somewhere, and it would be easy in Colorado.
• Traffic is not as bad here as SoCal, but it's not all that great either and getting worse by the hour. A short commute is critical regardless. Driving in the snow can be scary, but it's not as scary as driving in the rain in LA. 
• Crowds in the outdoors are probably a wash. They are common in both states at popular areas but easy to avoid if you are willing to go off the beaten path.
• If you like the desert, LA is probably better due to proximity to the Mojave. However, you can get to Moab or Taos for weekend trips from Boulder, and both places are sweet.
• If you like culture and diversity, you might get bored in Boulder compared to LA.

If you decide to move to Boulder, it sounds like you could just get a job in California and move back if you wanted. You may enjoy the new experience. Have fun wherever you go!     

I've lived in LA my whole life; I'm finding it more exasperating by the minute. I nearly get hit by cars every day and my neighborhood is littered with feces and electric scooters.