If Money was no object, would you build a Mansion in SoCal or NY and why?

Please give honest and detailed reasons. Taking into account: Natural Disasters (SoCal has Wildfires and Earthquakes); Pest problems (SoCal has Roaches and Bugs due to the intense heat); hawter Women (SoCal is said to have hawtest Women as many r in the Entertainment Industry); and if u have dwellings in other Countries so u will be in SoCal or NY at certain times.

Thx to all that chime in

 

Neither? Sorry....if forced, NY so closer to family.
I only post to highlight there are many factors other than ‘hawtest women’/Pests/weather individuals (and families) weigh.

‘Money is no object‘ only removes that factor from the Decision, not a defining feature in of itself.

 

I live in one of the best neighborhoods in Socal and all I can say is your poll should include... # 3--- somewhere else?

 

I have lived in both areas. Corona in SoCal and Long Island. Although it's been quite a while ago I doubt anything would change my mind. My vote goes for SoCal all the way. New York is fun to visit but its just not my taste. If you are building a mansion I doubt it's in Manhattan so maybe the area you are looking at is nicer - the place is just blah to me. SoCal is sunshine, beaches, mountains an hour or so away. Twistie roads and elevation changes. Beautifuler (I know not a word) women AND it is the Motocross Capitol of the world. I could go on. But you don't care what I like. Get what you want. Also I could live anywhere locale wise - and choose neither. I pick TX.

 

I live is So CA and have for many decades having grown up in Northern and Southern CA. I have had a successful business carrier in So CA. So, I have a pretty lengthy history in So CA.

CA in general used to be a great state to live in progressive but not socialistic, great business opportunities, reasonable taxes, great weather, relaxed life-style. Well a lot of that has changed for the worse, high taxes, substantial regulation, difficult to start a new business, very socialistic, quite intolerant of conservative views. Currently business and people are moving out of CA to other localities. Most of the folks moving into CA come from south of the border so the demographic is changing rapidly and has been for about the last 15-20 years.

There have always been irregular earthquake issues but they don’t seem to be much of a deterrent of living a good life (i.e.. hurricanes, tornadoes which occur regularly in the south and east). The brush fires occur every year in hilly rural areas which are very desirable living areas because of view and less dense population etc. So often this is where larger homes are often located. So they are a real issue to be concern about. I live in this type of rural hilly area. The beach areas are very expensive to build since the land is very dear and the coastal commission and cities/counties have very difficult building regulations generally, such that the project expensive and very frustrating to complete.

Well the weather is still great but were it not for our family living close and our life time friends in the area, I would not move here and definitely not build a mansion here. Try renting/owning a condo in a desirable area first for a year or two to get a feel for areas you think you would consider building a mansion. One opinion for what it is worth.

 

Where then and why?

Besides the beach sounds nice. Can u plz tell me which Beach in SoCal and why?

 

South Beach is a much better option IMO

 

Doesn't Miami have hurricanes? Also it has Latinas and I like Blondez.

Is Manhattan better than the beaches?

 

Manhattan is awesome. Just wouldn't want to live there. At least not primary residence.

 

If you don't mind more densely populated areas LA, Orange & San Diego County beaches are a bit warmer but traffic and all the other issues with dense population are in play. If you want less populated area then Ventura and Santa Barbara counties beaches are better if you don't mind a little cooler beach area. Ventura County where I live only has a total population of less than 900 k people. Santa Barbara County has a bit more population but the cost of land is much higher (perhaps even more difficult construction regulation?) and getting a water permit for new construction can be an issue. Several decades ago I was going to build a home in Montecito (Santa Barbara County) but getting a water permit was a lottery and no guarantee when I would be a “lucky” draw. The Santa Barbara County water issue has NOT got better in fact worse now. So ended up in the rural foothills of Ventura County which I have found to be most enjoyable.

 

Early stages yet but I've shortlisted Newport Beach and Laguna Beach. Maybe even Malibu. Can u give detailed similarities and differences between them if u can? Thx again.

 

Among all those - having only been a visitor - I would vote for NB.
They have a Ferrari dealer.
T

 

First thing to keep in mind for So CA beaches is May grey and June gloom. There times there isn't any beach sun for a couple months where as inland even a little bit there will be at least afternoon sun with a view of the coast and above the marine layer. Usually the rest of the year is relative sunny all the time.

I haven't been to Newport Beach in several years but last time I was there it was a total zoo, way too crowed for me. But lots going on with a variety of happenings. Also, it is pretty built up so you would likely have to buy something and tear down most all of structure to rebuild something new. This area is generally built up and not a brush fire hazard area.

Laguna Beach is a good choice not as crowed as Newport Beach much different atmosphere pretty distant to the "maddening rush" but takes a long time to get anywhere except other parts of Laguna. The 405 Freeway would be the main access and is the main access for traffic between LA, Orange County and San Diego traffic. Hwy 1 is mainly surface street access and not too speedy. This area will have some concerns about brush fires. I believe about 10-15 years a lot of homes were lost in a brush fire, so there is that.

Malibu is in both LA and Ventura Counties, so the south part of Malibu is more like LA more happenings and more congestion while North Malibu is much like Ventura less happenings and far fewer people. Also, land is more available in North Malibu if you can ever call CA beach land available. This area also has a big brush fire concern and there have been 3-4 brush fires in the area in last 10-15 years. Some had lots of structures lost and other fires not so many.

That brings up the subject of insurance. I have been out of the industry over ten years but I keep in touch with my old firm. Many, many companies have substantially reduced their homeowners policy writings in brush fire hazard areas leaving only the CA Fair Plan and a wrap around as the only insuring answer. So, before you buy anything check to see how difficult it will be to insure (use a larger broker not the local direct writer as they may have no market for you). Just because the current owner has coverage doesn’t mean you will be able to get coverage. Many of the current owners have coverage for a long time and would be non-renewed except for that fact or they have a large commercial business account which greases the skids. The same insuring company may be unwilling to have the policy assigned to you. Building in a brush hazard area presents it’s own unique set of construction issues which will add to the general construction costs. But then of coarse "MONEY IS NO OBJECT".

 

Money no object....

so. Cal. Weather being the deciding factor.

 

Which is better SoCal or Miami all things considered?

 

From a purely weather standpoint SoCal is way better. IMO I don't care for humidity in Miami. I haven't lived in Miami only visited so I can't really ovulate all the other items but I believe the tax situation is better in Florida as CA taxes are high in all areas. CA income tax is over 10-11% sales tax is about 7-8% in most counties, gas is about twice as expensive as most other states and general government regulation is worst in CA.

 

If you like now daily King Tides and driving your nice car through salt water, you can't beat Miami. Thankfully I had a rental car when I was driving through that stuff visiting last year.

 

Where is the best place to build in LA if money was no object?

 

On a ridge in Bel Air,West Hollywood or Beverly Hills IMO
and BTW you're looking at a $100 million project

 

Sry I forgot to mention, it needs to be on flat land. What does that leave me with?

 

Dude, out of curiosity, why you keep creating these pools? eg.:, which isthe best city for women; where would you build a mansion, etc.?

 

Wanna move.

 

All are great areas for sure but it depends what Jeremy wants – city living, hillside city view, hillside beach view, hillside rural view or beach on the sand (which way facing beach). Also some of those hillside areas may be uninsurable or he may have to coinsure the property if in fact the project is $100 mil. I am assuming a loan would not be necessary as lenders would require the property be fully insured to lend.

I would personally think it could be done for less than $100 mil perhaps $50 mil especially depending on the amount of earth work necessary and road/utility work to get to the property site.

 

Any large city has great women finding them is the problem.

 

Which would be in the City or beside the beach on the sand?