Pretty in Pink Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 (edited) IT'S OFFICIAL -- WE'RE MOVING TO CALIFORNIA! Allentown, PA or Twenty-Nine Palms, CA? Edited December 9, 2011 by Pretty in Pink Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AvasMom Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Allentown. We are in that same area (Jersey side) but isn't 29 Palms in the middle of the desert? If it were near a city I'd go with that though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Harriet Vane Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Knowing virtually nothing about either one, I'd go with CA just for the weather. However, I'm sure it's more complicated than that. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MrsMe Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 PA hands down. CA is about the most screwed up state you could live in every aspect but physical landform beauty. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Meriwether Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 I'd choose Allentown, but I have family in the area. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Isn't CA hideously expensive to live in? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whereneverever Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Isn't PA terribly complicated to homeschool in, though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Well, Twenty-nine Palms would not be my favorite place to live in California, but hey--the homeschool laws in Cali are MUCH better than the laws in PA. And you would be easy-driving distance to both the San Diego and Los Angeles areas...and Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm and Magic Mountain. I say California. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Isn't CA hideously expensive to live in? Not in Twenty-nine Palms. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 The CA base is near Joshua Tree. :) Have you ever lived in CA? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Isn't PA terribly complicated to homeschool in, though? Yes. :eek: In California, you file an affidavit annually on-line as a private school. The end. No testing, no miinimum # of school days, no requirements for graduation, nada, zip. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 (edited) Well, Twenty-nine Palms would not be my favorite place to live in California, but hey--the homeschool laws in Cali are MUCH better than the laws in PA. And you would be easy-driving distance to both the San Diego and Los Angeles areas...and Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm and Magic Mountain. I say California. :D It is in the desert, but it's near a lot of other cool stuff as well. Can you talk with someone already living on base there? I assume there is a hsing group. The schools in CA can be pretty dicey. I have no idea about San Bernardino's system. Edited December 8, 2011 by LibraryLover Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 :iagree: Well, Twenty-nine Palms would not be my favorite place to live in California, but hey--the homeschool laws in Cali are MUCH better than the laws in PA. And you would be easy-driving distance to both the San Diego and Los Angeles areas...and Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm and Magic Mountain. I say California. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty in Pink Posted December 8, 2011 Author Share Posted December 8, 2011 I have no idea about PA homeschooling laws. Can someone fill me in quickly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jilly Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Well, Twenty-nine Palms would not be my favorite place to live in California, but hey--the homeschool laws in Cali are MUCH better than the laws in PA. And you would be easy-driving distance to both the San Diego and Los Angeles areas...and Disneyland and Knotts Berry Farm and Magic Mountain. I say California. :D :iagree:You would also be close to the ocean and the mountains. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tammyla Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 You can check the HSLDA web site for info. I have no idea about PA homeschooling laws. Can someone fill me in quickly? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Our first duty station was Fort Irwin which is more remote than 29 Palms. It was over an hour to Wal-Mart of a restaurant. But, there were a few good things. People were closer on base because nearly everyone lived in base. The housing was nice. We had nice facilities because people relied upon them more. People were more military-community-minded. It was also within a 2-3 hour drive to Vegas, LA, Disney, Big Bear and lots of other fun places. We went somewhere nearly every weekend. I would choose CA because of the easier homeschool laws. Looks like 29 Palms has a homeschool group too. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elfgivas Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 we are in the desert, but north of LA. just for the proximity to all sorts of fabulous places, 29 palms is great.... and the homeschooling laws are great, and the homeschooling communities are pretty great, too.... fwiw, ann eta: thru a kid's eyes, an annual pass to disneyland and the marine park are hard to beat ; ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pretty in Pink Posted December 8, 2011 Author Share Posted December 8, 2011 The PA laws are...holy cow. We've always lived in low-reg states. I'm not sure that I want to deal with those laws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Momtoamayalilal2 Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 we are in the desert, but north of LA. just for the proximity to all sorts of fabulous places, 29 palms is great.... and the homeschooling laws are great, and the homeschooling communities are pretty great, too.... fwiw, ann eta: thru a kid's eyes, an annual pass to disneyland and the marine park are hard to beat ; ) I am about an hour west of 29 palms..my hubs is a military mover and is out there alot. I agree eith the others: easy homeschool laws, driving distance to beach, san diego, beaches, la, etc..Mild winters compared to PA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mama2Many4 Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Not too take up too much time, I say CA for reasons already stated and a few others. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TN Mama Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 I have a friend living & hsing in 29 Palms. I'm sure she'd be more than happy to answer any specific questions you have. If you're interested, pm me your e-mail address and I'll send it her way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 I would choose Ca too. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RoundAbout Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 29 Palms in a heartbeat. We lived on 29 Palms and I actually really liked it. Not as much as San Diego or Hawaii obviously but I would take it before a lot of other places. I love the California desert, and the base is right next door to Joshua Tree National Park. If you or your sons like the outdoors its a great place to be with tons of hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, etc. CA homeschooling laws are easy. It's about 45 minutes to Palm Springs and a few hours to LA, San Diego, or Las Vegas. Pretty close to Big Bear for skiing in the winter too. The base housing is nice and because the local schools are crap there were a lot of homeschoolers when we lived there 8 years ago. They had a lot of family activities like free movies at the base theater in summer, etc. You get all kinds of people in the desert out in town. A friend of ours lived next to a super religious family in town, but Joshua Tree itself has kind of a hippy vibe with cafes, etc to serve tourists coming to see the Park. Shopping isn't so great but I consider that a plus :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elegantlion Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 CA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ellie Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 The PA laws are...holy cow. We've always lived in low-reg states. I'm not sure that I want to deal with those laws. Yeah, I've always thought that if I lived in PA I'd be the first test case, 'cuz I would NOT want to comply! :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SonshineLearner Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Well, not to settle down forever, but for a season? Cali seems good today.... Course, is that a warmer part?? :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JaniceO Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 CA! Never even been to CA, but I would take it over PA anyday. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcnlvr Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 29 Palms! 29 Palms! It is arguably the most beautiful place on the planet. Clean air! Mountains all around. Not expensive like LA. 2 active homeschool associations and even a co-op. Easy homeschool laws (4 ways to homeschool, you can register as a private school for the least intrusive HS). People go to this place to heal from health ailments! If I could unload my house, I would be there in a heartbeat. Also, dh is retired USMC. The base amenities are among the best in the Corps there at the base. Lots of things to do and places to SEEEEE! I want to move there and homestead on my land and live in a wooden yurt! :) :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 CA, for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happypamama Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 I happen to love living in PA, so I'd vote for it for that reason. Allentown's not a bad area -- nice out there, actually. Homeschooling could definitely be worse; it's really not so bad. More restrictive than CA, but it's really workable. It doesn't cost me more than a few extra minutes here and there to comply with the law (there are a million loopholes, since they're very vague). I had a friend who lived in Twentynine Palms, and she really didn't care for it at all. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachin'Mine Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 So what did you and your husband decide??? Or are you already working on CA time and have until 3PM eastern time? :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jennsmile Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 You get a choice? Not fair, we always lived where the gov't sent us. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Renee in NC Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 I have a friend who LOVES 29 Palms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LisaKinVA Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Hmmm, out in the desert or close to NJ. 29 Palms isn't as bad COL-wise, but if I remember my Marine Corps bases right, that one is truly in the middle of nowhere. I vote Allentown, PA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaz Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 CA definitely. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tammyw Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 I'm in San Diego. I vote Allentown. A friend of mine lives there and I visited once and there are so many places within driving distance (NYC). Since I've lived in San Diego for two different duty stations, I vote Allentown as well - something different. Plus, as others have said, 29 Palms is in the middle of nowhere. I wouldn't want to live there personally. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Well, not to settle down forever, but for a season? Cali seems good today.... Course, is that a warmer part?? :) We don't call our state Cali. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TravelingChris Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 I couldn't deal with PA homeschool laws and CA is so easy. Also, I love the desert and it is close to so many cool places. So I would choose CA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Elinor Everywhere Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 We don't call our state Cali. Bill And we NEVER say "The O.C.". :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelissaMinNC Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 We don't call our state Cali. Bill Really? Nobody? Ever? I have 2 friends from CA and I've heard them both refer to it as Cali at different times. Maybe it's uh...an age difference thing? They are both about 10 years younger than I am (I'm 36). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 And we NEVER say "The O.C.". :D Right you are. Although as a kid in the 60s when we would have to drive down from LA to visit relatives down there (when it still had an uber-conservative vibe, since changed) we'd say we were going "behind the Orange Curtain." As to the original question I know nothing of Allentown. 29 Palms is strange. The area (especially nearby Joshua Tree) can be exceptionally beautiful—in a way. One just better like living in a strange desert landscape in the middle of nowhere. I think it is an option one might either hate or love. It is a decidedly unusual place to live. Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Really? Nobody? Ever? I have 2 friends from CA and I've heard them both refer to it as Cali at different times. Maybe it's uh...an age difference thing? They are both about 10 years younger than I am (I'm 36). I'm a 50+ year native of California and never in my life have a known someone from here to refer to our state as Cali. I think it would get a weird reaction. Just as people from here do not refer to San Francisco as "Frisco" unless they are lacking sophistication. It is just not done, you know :D Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mommaduck Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 (edited) Yes. :eek: In California, you file an affidavit annually on-line as a private school. The end. No testing, no miinimum # of school days, no requirements for graduation, nada, zip. PA is not "complicated". It's just nuisance paperwork. Beyond that, it's fairly simply to homeschool here. I thought the same as you BEFORE I moved here and when I was just looking at the laws in comparison to IL and TX. But the reality is that it's not difficult at all. I'm voting for PA. I knew people stationed in Allentown and they LOVE it here. You will be right north of Philly. You will be less than two hrs from the ocean. You will be fairly close to NYC, Baltimore, and DC (basically, you will be in the East Coast Corridor). Edited December 8, 2011 by mommaduck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dani3boys Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Did you decide? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mrs Mungo Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 If you have curly hair, it will be fabulous in the desert. :D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 I think I'd need to go for the green. As much as I love California 29 Palms is so isolated and so strange. It is in the middle of nowhere, has a certan low-life, depressive, out-of-time quality that is not inspiring—unless one likes the feeling of out-law biker outposts where everyone seems to be fleeing their pasts. The areas North of Philadelphia that I've seen have been green and beautiful. Barring news that it is a "pit" I'd vote Allentown. Unless one is a "desert-rat." Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MtnTeaching Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Just as people from here do not refer to San Francisco as "Frisco" unless they are lacking sophistication. It is just not done, you know :D Bill Which is why, after 9 years of living there, I am thrilled to no longer live in CA. I was uber-unsophisticated. :D:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spy Car Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 Which is why, after 9 years of living there, I am thrilled to no longer live in CA. I was uber-unsophisticated. :D:D Oh, did you move to Colo? :D Bill Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mommyfaithe Posted December 8, 2011 Share Posted December 8, 2011 (edited) After reading Bill's post I change my vote to PA. If Allentown is close to Philly & NYC, yet you can live suburby....I would do that. Faithe...who would NOT like the desert...but loves the oceans and mountains. Edited December 8, 2011 by Mommyfaithe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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