How is the weather?

[Szykneij]

I had occasion to drive the Pacific Coast Highway from Point Mugu through to Santa Monica, that later stretch newly reopened after the fires. It is remarkable that the landscape is much more resilient than man made structures. Looking at the hills overlooking the ocean you would hardly know anything had happened. Grasses and brush look totally normal and only a few burnt or partially burnt trees can be noticed. This applies to the Malibu fire that burned up to Pepperdine University and the Pacific Palisades fire. But approaching Santa Monica, below Pacific Palisades there were rows of empty foundations between the highway and the ocean, and oddly an intact building every once in a while. Many cars reduced to twisted metal frames and structures up hill burned, often sitting along intact vegetation.

I'm glad that nature is fixing itself. I drove through that area quite a while ago and found the landscape beautiful.

The damage to people's homes and belongings was beyond sad. I hope those affected were able to recover financially and emotionally.

[Spotted Horses]

I'm glad that nature is fixing itself. I drove through that area quite a while ago and found the landscape beautiful.

The damage to people's homes and belongings was beyond sad. I hope those affected were able to recover financially and emotionally.

In terms of human recovery, the debris is still in the process of being cleared, so residents have not made whole in the sense of having their home restored. I believe a substantial number have received insurance settlements and sold the extremely valuable lots, which would allow them to purchase elsewhere.

Probably recovery of the landscape is a lot slower in the other huge LA fire, Altadena. The surrounding landscape was heavily wooded, rather than scrub brush.

[Kalevala]

In terms of human recovery, the debris is still in the process of being cleared, so residents have not made whole in the sense of having their home restored. I believe a substantial number have received insurance settlements and sold the extremely valuable lots, which would allow them to purchase elsewhere.

Probably recovery of the landscape is a lot slower in the other huge LA fire, Altadena. The surrounding landscape was heavily wooded, rather than scrub brush.

Due to the increase in wildfires and (I believe) water restrictions/problems, are the property values possibly going down?  Personally, I wouldn't want to buy a property in an area with no trees and weather issues.  Would be happy to hear what you know and think.

Another soggy weekend here; wish that I could send some rain your way. 

K

[Spotted Horses]

Due to the increase in wildfires and (I believe) water restrictions/problems, are the property values possibly going down?  Personally, I wouldn't want to buy a property in an area with no trees and weather issues.  Would be happy to hear what you know and think.

Another soggy weekend here; wish that I could send some rain your way. 

K

Prices are so high in coastal California that it seems unsustainable. I think the majority of people who have lived in the area for a long time would not have been able to buy their property at current prices. It always seems like the bubble must burst and prices must fall, but it never seems to happen. There are a lot of places like that in the U.S., not just California. How can you put a price perfect climate, overlooking the Pacific Ocean and an economically vibrant region?

The news reports give the impression that a large fraction of Los Angeles burned, but really it was a few relatively small enclaves (although the smoke affected the entire region). And a significant issue was housing was not "defensible," landscaping that made the houses more likely to burn.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

Speaking of California, I think if I lived anywhere near Big Sur, I wouldn't want to leave:

[Kalevala]

Prices are so high in coastal California that it seems unsustainable. I think the majority of people who have lived in the area for a long time would not have been able to buy their property at current prices. It always seems like the bubble must burst and prices must fall, but it never seems to happen. There are a lot of places like that in the U.S., not just California. How can you put a price perfect climate, overlooking the Pacific Ocean and an economically vibrant region?

The news reports give the impression that a large fraction of Los Angeles burned, but really it was a few relatively small enclaves (although the smoke affected the entire region). And a significant issue was housing was not "defensible," landscaping that made the houses more likely to burn.

How is the water situation in your area?

I've visited Coronado several times and quite enjoyed it. 

K

[Spotted Horses]

How is the water situation in your area?

I've visited Coronado several times and quite enjoyed it. 

K

This has been a mixed rain season. Usually the "atmospheric rivers" (previously known as rainstorms) hit the North at the beginning of the season and gradually come down to hit the South as winter approaches. This year they didn't get to us until late in the season, and SoCal only got about half other the average rainfall. (It's very variable so that is not so unusual). Central and especially Northern California got abundant rain. Last year and the year before we got significantly more than the average rainfall even down south.

So no water restrictions in my area this year.

[Spotted Horses]

Personally, I wouldn't want to buy a property in an area with no trees and weather issues. 

If you consider 60 degrees in the winter and 75 degrees in the summer "weather issues" you would have a problem. A lot of the area is chaparral, which means mostly grasses and scrub brush, trees are not abundant.

[Kalevala]

If you consider 60 degrees in the winter and 75 degrees in the summer "weather issues" you would have a problem. A lot of the area is chaparral, which means mostly grasses and scrub brush, trees are not abundant.

The temps sound nice, but I also like to grow vegetables that like warmer temps.  Good to hear that you have been receiving rain.   

K

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

It has rained pretty much everyday here for the past two weeks with the exception of yesterday where rain was predicted, but the meteorologists got it wrong.

[Kalevala]

If you consider 60 degrees in the winter and 75 degrees in the summer "weather issues" you would have a problem. A lot of the area is chaparral, which means mostly grasses and scrub brush, trees are not abundant.

Sorry, I wasn't trying to sound "snarky"--pardon if it came off that way.  Seaside can certainly be lovely and every area is different.  I just enjoy my trees, etc.

Meant kindly,

K


p.s. listening currently to a LA (native) artist. 

[Spotted Horses]

Sorry, I wasn't trying to sound "snarky"--pardon if it came off that way.  Seaside can certainly be lovely and every area is different.  I just enjoy my trees, etc.

Meant kindly,

K


p.s. listening currently to a LA (native) artist. 

No offense taken. I also sometimes miss dense forest. I think Maryland was the greenest place I lived, but also enjoyed dense forest when I lived in Ithaca, NY and Montgomery county Texas (greater Houston). Lots of it in California, but not in the southern coastal zone.

[Der lächelnde Schatten]

A beautiful day here --- mostly cloudy - 81°F - 67% humidity

Last night, however, was a different story. A pop-up thunderstorm happened with high winds (I believe they were recorded at 75 mph). Thankfully, the storm didn't last long, no damage occurred and the power didn't go out.

Edit: I posted too soon --- we're now in the midst of yet another pop-up thunderstorm. Heavy rain and lightning galore. Thank goodness I'm indoors!

[Kalevala]

No offense taken. I also sometimes miss dense forest. I think Maryland was the greenest place I lived, but also enjoyed dense forest when I lived in Ithaca, NY and Montgomery county Texas (greater Houston). Lots of it in California, but not in the southern coastal zone.

Did you go to school and/or work at Cornell?

K

[Spotted Horses]

Did you go to school and/or work at Cornell?

K

Was on staff there years and years ago.