Has anyone moved from SoCal to the Capital Region? (New York: salons, house prices)

[EllieLA]

Hi there,

Just want to talk to any former Los Angelenos who moved to the Albany area.

I moved about a year ago and am having a devil of a time adjusting here. This past winter was awful. I never knew there'd be six months of it.
The weather in general goes to such extremes. There's almost always some "first warning" half the time.

People said I'm lucky to come here and have seasons, but it seems like there are only two, Winter and Summer. Fall and Spring are about two weeks each.

Sorry to be so down.

Anyone else experiencing this?

Cheers,
Ellen

[MrBiggz]

I've lived in NY all my life. Most of it in Central NY (Utica). The weather there a bit more predictable.

The Cap region his its own weather. Micro-climates and other goodies! Best way to get a grip on the weather is to take all three network weather forecasts coupled with accuweather.com and weather.com and noaa.gov and then go your window (preferably on the west face) look out and up and THEN make your descion on what the weather is to be like.

I've seen winters come late and spring early. Some times not spring and right from winter into summer and vice versa. I think you have better chance at roulette then guessing the weather. The funniest part here is when it gets to the days of HHH (Hot Hazy & Humid) they luv to put up Thunderstorms when its like that (and the sky is BLUE). I just find it humorous!

But Cali has winter months .. northern cali. I've seen it on CNN! Looked like snow, cars and trucks where sliding on it like snow!

In closing. The winter you just experienced. It's not like the winters of years past. I remember even into my early 20's (late 80's early 90's) that we used to get burried in snow! I'm sure mother nature is going to get it back on track somewhere!

[j12308]

I grew up in this area and currently live here again after having spent several years in the South. So while I don't really understand how you feel I've heard comments like yours a lot. I think people get used to what they grew up with. I used to think I really wanted to live somewhere warm, but then I missed the seasons. Now I really love each one. I love the different weather, the cloudy days make me love the sunny ones just that much more. I can appreciate the good days more because of the bad days. If that makes any sense? But I actually kind of like bad weather now and then. On overcast days I love how the trees, and flowers look brighter, more vibrant to me.

In the middle of winter when there's not much color and no leaves, I like the shapes of the tree branches and the purplish shadows on the snow. I also like to snow shoe, cross country ski, and my kids are so excited about building snowmen and playing in the snow. Finding a winter sport is key to living around here, find something you love to do in the snow/cold weather. That's my best advice to you.

In the spring, of course I'm ready for the flowers and warmer weather. Summer can't beat going to a lake for a swim. But strangely by the end of summer I'm ready for it to be over, I get sick of the hot, humid weather. I'm ready for a change. With fall you can't beat all the colors the leaves are changing. Raking leaves in big pile for my kids to jump in.

I hope you learn to love the seasons or make the most of them. Good luck

[Vagus]

I'm not from Cal myself, but I went to school in Albany with many Californians. In general, I found the northern Californians could at least tolerate it, but they never really loved it that much. The southern Californians all seemed without exception to hate it from day one and never adapted. It's not just a weather thing either -- it's really a whole different culture and geography from what they are used to . . .

By the way -- I disagree about the "two seasons" comment. Fall in that part of the world is relatively long and beautiful, IMHO.

[EllieLA]

Well, Vagus, guess I'm like those other SoCal folks you knew.

And I was here for Fall last year and it was rather brief. Honestly.
The winter came early and lasted a full six months.

I hope I win a big chunk of money, so I can move back to the ocean.

Thanks everyone for your comments.

[looking4home]

Ellie, if I may ask, why did you move to Albany? Are you going to school there? And where in So Cal are you from? You might not have to win any money to move back to the ocean there - house prices continue to freefall with no end in sight. If you have the cash, it's a good investment right now. Cali may have many faults but you can't beat ol' Prop. 13 and the low property taxes!

[EllieLA]

Hi Looking4Home,

We moved here for my husband. He was out of work in L.A. and the capital region job seemed like a good option at the time.

We lived near Santa Monica. Two minute drive to the ocean. Drove on the PCH every day.

You can understand why we feel so landlocked here.

Well jobs were tough to find and that's why we left L.A. in the first place.
I guess we're not cut out for small-town, extreme weather living. We couldn't have known that unless we came here.

Are you living in this area?

[looking4home]

You lived in Santa Monica and moved to Albany??! Yikes! I know the area well, as I used to live in Pacific Palisades. That is quite a culture shock for you. I love upstate NY because I was born in Auburn, which is near Syracuse, and I spent a very happy, idyllic childhood there. I was just back there last summer for a visit. But I'm now spoiled by the California weather. I'd love a summer home there, but I couldn't take the winters anymore, not at my age!

Perhaps you should have chosen a warmer climate, but I know job opportunities don't grow on trees. However, there are a lot of CA ex-pats who have moved to places like Tennessee,Texas, or the Carolinas, and they really like it. It's no substitute for the beautiful Pacific, but the economies were booming there (I don't know about now) and home prices were relatively low. Can your husband transfer within the company he works for? I don't know what he does, but many companies are pretty accomodating about stuff like that. I wish you luck, and patience - it's hard having to look forward to endless months of snow. Have you tried participating in any winter sports? As a child, I loved to go sledding, and I learned to ski and ice skate at a young age. You know what they say - if you can't beat e'm, join 'em!

[Cali-girl]

Although I am a Cali native, I was sent from Cali to NY to attend private school (elementary & middle school levels) and all I can say for myself is this: I hate snow. And mud season. Although my mom was a New Yorker, I am not. I graduated from UCSB and have a certificate from CalPoly ('06).

All I can suggest is to find other Cali-expats and form friendships from there. In Austin Texas, many Cali people have chosen to reside in a part of Austin called "Little California" because there are many of us there (a local told me to look for the sushi bars).

I don't know what your age/gender is, but if you are female and want to maintain a Cali "look" well, continue to shop at Intuition, Blue Bee in SB, NM, Diani, and other Cali boutiques online. Micheal Stars and C & C of California have online stores too. I intend to go to NYC for hair, like Warren-Tricomi, IF we have to move to NY.

If we move there and you see me (the one wearing A-pockets) please come over and say "Hey!."

One more thing: may want to cheer yourself up by going to a Trader Joe's in NYC/Long Island.
Unfortunately, that's where they all are in NY

Some LA salons have a NY counterpart, so may want to check out John Frieda Salon - may find a Cali stylist there

Also: check out latimes.com to keep up on what's happening out here! And don't forget to come back!!!

[Phoenix lady]

I could see what a culture shock this would be for you. These 2 areas probably couldn't be more un-alike. When I lived in NY, Hudson valley, I don't know if I even remember meeting anyone from California. Of course, that was up into the 90's--maybe there's more migration happening now.
I miss the four seasons. Each season has its' own beauty and advantages. It's all what's most comfortable for the person. I think as life changes,certain places hold a different appeal. What works at one time might not at another.