Posted on 08/03/2005 12:24:40 PM PDT by DesignerChick
I've lived here for 30 years, and we get "earthquakes" every day, but they're so tiny you never feel them. In all the years I've been here I've felt 2 quakes.
We live on the Mendocino Coast of northern California where it's always cool. Our temps never get above 75, and when that happens we think we're having a heat wave.
I can vouch for Laz. There's nothing wrong with him that a good woman armed with an electric cattle prod can't sort out.
Regards, Ivan
I'm RC, marry me!
Don't listen to all the BS negativity you're hearing on this thread. Unfortunately, it is a liberal state, but there are millions of us conservatives too. Housing is expensive, oh well, welcome to the real world. And there are quite a few plastic people (especially in the urban areas). Big surprise, eh?
California is a GREAT place to live, and all the sterotypes you've heard (and are reading herein) are so foolish and over the top. Don't believe them.
And if you're single, gorgeous, conservative and like devestatingly handsome, brilliant, 49-year-old single bankers from Ventura County California (God's country, just north of LA on the coast), FReepmail me and I'll give you a special tour!
;>) (I am serious about the BS on this thread! It's BS!!!)
Roger that ~ I left CA in '90 after spending the first 60 years of life there, because the anti-gun environment was getting to be too much for the old curmudgeon to deal with.
I born and raised in Riverside county, went to high school in (loved it) Coronado, dropped out at 17 and joined the Navy, was discharged at Mare Island and lived in the SF Bay Area until I moved to Oregon.
Cute.
Let me give you a serious take on my California experience. I grew up in San Francisco, then spent 35 years in Marin County.
I was offered a two-year job in San Joaquin County and my first memory of the change is my first trip to the job site. Three quarters of my way there I was stopped by a train crossing. I felt suddenly like a little kid.
I saw the wonders of the valley over the next two years, and I was hooked. Being able to see the horizon! that was remarkable. Seeing the constantly changing display of light and colors throughout the year, as crops grow, mature are harvested and the cycle of life started all over again.
The views of the snow-capped Sierras.
The Mysterious vistas of sunrise and sunset in the Delta.
Long story short: I now live here and expect to spend the rest of my life here.
In 1999 I bought my current 5-bedroom house; $140k. In the more metropolitan areas, I could not afford the price, $750k+
California is a variable and amazing place.
If you plan to work as an architect in California, you probably will want to learn Spanish, if you want to be able to talk to the work crews. It is a nice skill to have, but not necessary, for most people.
If you are serious about marrying a military man, San Diego is definitely the place for you. There are few, if any, bases near Los Angeles.
How much of a culture shock can it be?
Possibly a lot. Don't expect a lot of viable mass transit. Forget snow. However, if you like to ski, you can drive to snow in a couple of hours. There are few if any tolls (unless you live in Orange County) Regional foods are different. Water, at the beach, is cold. The water at "The River" (The Colorado River) is warm. There are no other rivers.
Ohh! I've got one of those!
If you have a choice pick SD over LA.
It's much more convervative, home of the 3rd Fleet, better beaches, and nicer people.
If possible try to pick a housing location near the beach north of the city center.
Other than that, have fun!
40+ but everyone pegs me for mid 30's. I am blessed by wonderful genes.
Are you RC?
I'm Jooish.
Are you gainfully employed?
Senior .NET Systems Analyst with aspirations to become either a) one of those hyper-paid pre-sales engineers (which would have me traveling a lot) or b) senior IT management.
The electric cattle prod?
Oh, that. That's a sex aid.
Your name is pukin' dog, and I should care what you think?
(I am bitter and desperate. Love me?)
;>)
Northern SD County is nicer, and less hectic. You have your choice of the coast (Oceanside/Carlsbad) or the rolling hills farther inland...small towns, orange groves, and avocado fields (Fallbrook/Escondido)
Can we assume your name implies you are in the design business and, if so, what TYPE? That could be important as to the choice between LA and SD. If you don't have a large trust, line up a job before you go.
I made the transition from NYC to Southern California 25+ years ago, and after 2 years moved back East. Others get there and never, ever want to leave .. up to the individual and his or her experience. There is, however, a reason that native Californians are migrating to other western states .. something about "quality of life."
LA is, well, LA ... a huge, sprawling megalopolis, not unlike the NYC area (if you're in that part of NJ) but with no definition of neighborhoods/townships, etc. Based on my memory there are no ethnic neighborhoods, (excepting new immigrant groups), which a Joisey Gal might be used to and miss. It's overall attitude is not as neurotic as NYC, but it's not laid back as myth implies. Weather is distinctly better than NJ but pollution is atrocious.... worse than NY/NJ. So's traffic. There's virtually no public transportation, so you have to drive everywhere, as does everyone else in LA. The people are friendlier, but I found it difficult to have friendships beyond surface.
SD was smaller and more manageable, and also a lot prettier. Tho the growth there in these 25 years would probably negate the "smaller" feel it once had.
There are other parts of CA that you might want to consider, Sacramento, Newport Beach/Laguna, and there's always San Francisco which might feel more comfortable to you as it's quite cosmopolitan (or was). And it's just gorgeous(or was).
Good luck whatever you do!
Georgia rocks. I thought it was going to be horribly hot, but the worst days are quite endurable, it turns out.
Plus you can own machine guns.
Seriously.
:o)
"single, gorgeous, conservative"....it's like I've know you all along!
"devestatingly handsome, brilliant, 49-year-old single"
say no more....which way is LAX?
I was thinking it was more along the lines of something DesignerChick would need to carry with when you two are out shopping and some woman displaying generous cleavage should pass by.
Regards, Ivan
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