Anyone live in Southern California? (Atlanta, Riverside: houses, pros and cons, living)

[OC California]

If so, what city? Did you like it? What are the pros and cons of GA in comparision to Temecula (Riverside County)area or Orange County? Any advice is appreciated.

[SEAandATL]

I'm guessing you're considering moving to GA, and that's why you're wondering how it compares? Since I lived in San Diego for 10 years, I can give you a perspective. I liked GA a lot better, hands down. I don't care about eternal sunshine, I like humidity and thunderstorms and 4 seasons. The cost of living is cheaper in GA of course, and people are friendlier and more polite. I personally think SoCal is overrated, Georgia has beaches and mountains too, although they are far apart, but they have their own beauty. SoCal's mountains are too dry and brown, and the water is too cold at the beaches.

[Cobb]

I lived in Moreno Valley and commuted to LA for about 10 years or so. enough was enough at 130 miles per day. I love it here in GA, trees (real green) rain, fresh air, open land areas etc. the only thing I really liked about So. CA was the winter weather, very minimal gas bills, but I got so tired of desert and brown, just not enough green. Houses to close together, AND THE COMMUTE !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I dont miss it at all.

[rswlguy]

Originally Posted by SEAandATL

I'm guessing you're considering moving to GA, and that's why you're wondering how it compares? Since I lived in San Diego for 10 years, I can give you a perspective. I liked GA a lot better, hands down. I don't care about eternal sunshine, I like humidity and thunderstorms and 4 seasons. The cost of living is cheaper in GA of course, and people are friendlier and more polite. I personally think SoCal is overrated, Georgia has beaches and mountains too, although they are far apart, but they have their own beauty. SoCal's mountains are too dry and brown, and the water is too cold at the beaches.

I know you mean well and thoughtful.. but could you use "less expensive" ... cheap living only brings cheap people IMO.

GA residents "more" friendly and polite? You ARE joking? In the reddest, fundamentalist, xenophobic state in America? Well perhaps if you fit within a very, very narrow margin of perception of the average mentality of the indigenous.

I've worked with the travelling public for 33+ years now ... I truly don't see GA or CA as "more polite" than each other ... It's just a different degree of indifference towards one another.

[rswlguy]

Originally Posted by OC California

If so, what city? Did you like it? What are the pros and cons of GA in comparision to Temecula (Riverside County)area or Orange County? Any advice is appreciated.

I was born in Long Beach, raised in San Luis Obispo & San Francisco. Spent most of my life (before moving to Metro Atlanta) in West Los Angeles.

Do I miss California? Intently. Would I move back? Yeah, if I could turn the clock back 20 years ... I miss the "golden" years, but they are gone ... supposed to retire in Palm Springs (soon perhaps?) ... but I'm not sure.

Every place has gotten crowded, dirty ... littered ... rudeness, indiference, intolerance.

Would I move back to Georgia? Never. Some people can be downright mean-spirited here w/out any sort of conscious. I've been challenged on every single value, perception, personal fundamental, religious ... and more in the past 16-17 years living here. Your patience, compassion, empathy towards others can be challenged quite a bit.

Once again ... my own experience living here. I don't recommend it for anyone indigenous to California.