I grew up in Ohio, lived in Atlanta, Tampa and Texas. Living in Northern Ca. is like a commie country when it comes to regulations.
On the other hand, it never snows, I'm three hours from Tahoe and 30 minutes from the beach!
I love California.
But I really hate that CONTROL and the oppressive, closed-minded attitude in the Liberal enclaves--such as Marin. The endless regulations and governmental fine-tuning are worthy of the Taliban. The worst thing is that most of the people don't see it, and it becomes even more oppressive.
California's charms are magnificent.
However they weren't sufficient to keep me there.
I returned to the South--where the charms are about as magnificent and there is a more lessaiz faire and liberal (in the sense of free or freedom-loving) and less oppressive atmosphere.
I absolutely love California and the South. But for me--the South is preferable. I can see how someone else--how I--could decide differently. It's a close call.
Come to think of it...
When I think about Big Sur, Mount Shasta, the Sierras, the redwood forests, the wine country, the Santa Cruz Mountains...
I used to drive across the Golden Gate Bridge every morning. I would open the windows and let the cold fog blow though the car...
Playing around the pool at Pebble Beach...
Esalen. The Post Ranch Inn. That Trattoria in Mill Valley. Skiing at Lake Tahoe. The nude beaches. The Oakville Grocery Store. Fresh morelles. Chanterelles. Eating the fresh grapes as I drink the wine from which they were made.
I'm getting homesick.
Maybe my decision was hastey.