What's life like in Cali?

Lived in WDC, Bay area and SoCal/Ventura Cty most of the last 20 years. Recently moved back to the midwest, where wife and I grew up. California started out great for us, so different in ways that were appealing when we were younger, but I tired of it over the years. The youth-oriented culture, the shallowness, the crowding, bubble-housing-markets, ever-present worry about wildfire, drought, quakes, the astounding volume and jamming of traffic, it all just wore on us.

The ever-present sun and heat can become monotonous. The drought killed the "great weather" aspect for me. I grew to see SoCal as hot, brown, crowded and expensive by the time we left. It bothered me that it would take long drives to get around the metro area.

Different strokes for different folks, but California is not a place I find appealing anymore.

Used to live in trail capital of California...Redding. I loved it and want to move back. I've driven throughout large portions of the state. Didn't care much for LA. Personally I prefer northern cal. Weather varies significantly depending on where you live. For example you may have highs of 100 over summer in Redding but drive 3 hours west and the high is in the 70s same day. Gas was main thing that was more expensive. Our expenses did not change much. Where I lived jobs sucked but other areas obviously have great job markets. Its a huge state with many different environments, economical situations and scenery.

why would anyone want to live any place else?

You appear to be mentally retarded. You'll fit in great in certain parts of California. Probably not at the standard of living you hope for.

47yroldrunna wrote:

asyyyyy wrote:

Just curious, where do you live? The Tenderloin?

Probably. Bottom line. You CANNOT live ina GOOD area in downtown SF in your one place for anywhere close to what he's stating. It's complete and utter BS. Maybe his Dad owns the bldg or he supplies free heroin to the landlord.

Guys, he says he lives in one of the 2-3 major cities in the bay area. I totally believe there are 1Br apartments in Oakland for $1000. Here's one:

Maybe he lives on International Boulevard or above a restaurant in Chinatown or something. Whatever, he's trolling you. Bottom line, we all agree it's at the very bottom of the spectrum for market-rate housing.

There is below-market housing in the area (BMR), so it's possible to live in nicer places for that rent, but again it's below-market rate.

Crime is definitely a problem in the area, several of my friends (and myself) have been held up at gunpoint, and one of my friends just a week or two ago was jumped and beaten up completely randomly in the Inner Richmond district of SF. His face was puffed up beyond recognition. Really sweet guy, it's kind of scary that that stuff can happen to people like that.

I will answer this more in-depth tomorrow when I get more time, but I grew up in VA (granted, northern VA, which is very different than the rest of the country), and have lived in Los Angeles for most of the last five years. I love California, but probably I will eventually return to the DC area when I'm older.

Believe me or not, it doesn't really matter, I'm the one living "hella cheap" in California.

Mmmmooooiiiiissssttt wrote:

Lived in WDC, Bay area and SoCal/Ventura Cty most of the last 20 years. Recently moved back to the midwest, where wife and I grew up. California started out great for us, so different in ways that were appealing when we were younger, but I tired of it over the years. The youth-oriented culture, the shallowness, the crowding, bubble-housing-markets, ever-present worry about wildfire, drought, quakes, the astounding volume and jamming of traffic, it all just wore on us.

The ever-present sun and heat can become monotonous. The drought killed the "great weather" aspect for me. I grew to see SoCal as hot, brown, crowded and expensive by the time we left. It bothered me that it would take long drives to get around the metro area.

Different strokes for different folks, but California is not a place I find appealing anymore.

+1

This comment I get. Cali was a dream for a New England kid 40 years ago, now, I'll just visit on occasion.

Virginia is for runners. Great trails, great taxes, cheap property, and tons of national/federal park land . If you like 4 seasons it's awesome . Spring lasts for about 4-5 months. The major negative however, is the humidity. It'll kill you. Besides that, Virginia is great.... oh yeah, right to work state = big neg

Don't come we have enough people

B/c it's obviously his fault for being born and raised in SF. And if you were, I doubt you'd be yearning to move out of the state.

One thing I love about VA when I visit my sister who lives in Vienna, VA is the the W&OD trail. It's pretty and around 42 miles long. Love running on it.

Other than that, San Diego blows away anyplace on the planet as far as I'm concerned........I mean.....um....it's OK. Don't move here.

No need to be sassy. I know plenty people who lived in California and have moved to other states. Like I said, weather is great out there and great places to live but I like my humble upbringing in the SouthWest, keeps me grounded....if you know what I mean. Wink.

lkmn fghnm, wrote:

why would anyone want to live any place else?

I be lovin' Compton., Emeryville Oakland..they all be Poppin!

A lot of twisting of information in this.

Gas tax increase happened and is pegged to inflation: true but the last time it was raised was 1994 and it has not moved (including adjustments for inflation) in the intervening 23 years.

As far as monies being re-directed to other projects, please provide link. I interviewed yesterday to be my city's representative on a citizens oversight committee for a recently passed transportation tax in stanislaus county. Our concern here is that because so much maintenence has been put off locally, that paving contractors have left the area or went out of business so now we have a labor/skills shortage rather than a money shortage. However, our city has already fielded multiple inquiries from would be pavers who want to start businesses within the city limits.

Typical red herring arguements about benefits to illegals

Cap and trade did pass, but surprisingly most Repubs are on board, even those from traditionally very anti govt regulation quarters.

Perhaps gas will cost more, but since we are home to Tesla and other forward looking industries, that will become less and less of a problem.

Coach B,

No, there is no twisting information in this. The pension issue is very real. Regarding the redirection of gas tax monies, it was in the LA Times and other major news sources, but I don't recall the exact day(s) so I don't have a link, but it was over the last few months. The redirected monies are for transit and other projects, not road repairs. Granted CA gas taxes haven't been raised in awhile, but there were still among the highest in the nation even before this most recent increase. The illegal argument is not a red herring, rather it is one of a growing number of items the Democratic controlled state legislature continues to spend money they don't have. Why should illegals get free (taxpayer funded) healthcare, education, and housing? How about the high speed rail that is no longer high speed and will cost billions more than promised? A large amount of the cap and trade money will be directed to this by Gov. Brown unless someone stops it. Teslas may be a solution, but not until they are affordable for the masses. Right now, they cost way too much for the middle class to afford. And in response to that, the state will just implement a tax based on the number of miles you drive if people use less gas. They have already been discussing that in Sacramento. My point here is that CA has some of the highest taxes in the country and it is not going to get any better. The state does not practice fiscal responsibility and continues to spend as if the money will never run out. There is a reason more middle class folks leave the state than move in. Taxes are a big part of it, not to mention high housing costs, traffic congestion as well as the growing crime issue due to the reclassification and release of thousands of prisoners whose felonies became misdemeanors. My point is CA is spending itself into a hole it won't be able to get out of. When that happens, things will get a hell of a lot worse than they already are.

Take a trip to the DMV and you'll find out quick what is wrong with California.

Indeed, you want to see where that Caltrans / gas taxes money really goes? Just pay a visit to your local Caltrans office where a bunch of engineers will be sitting around ("working" on infrastructure projects), sleeping, surfing the web, prebooking vacations for their fat lifetime pensions/retirements.

Tired of CA agencies crying poor when the reality is they waste money like crazy.

CoachB wrote:

[quote]sdmiler wrote:

I interviewed yesterday to be my city's representative on a citizens oversight committee for a recently passed transportation tax in stanislaus county.

Coach B, I hope you get this position because it will open your eyes to how deep the corruption and ineptitude in CA runs when it comes to transportation/infrastructure.