California is missing one key thing (and it's often fatal). (Fairfax: how much, job market)

[revelated]

Seasons. I mean TRUE seasons.

I just had a rather spirited discussion with some co-workers who swore up and down that they just are obsessed with California weather. I informed them that if it weren't for the job market being superior here I'd be elsewhere for sure - somewhere where the summer temperature never exceeded 80 degrees or thereabouts. Somewhere that had a full four seasons that I could plan on and count on. My biggest problem with California's non-season is that Californians get stupid on the roads when it's anything but sunny skies.

Fog: They go too slow.
Rain: They go too fast.

It irritates me and one of the co-workers actually ridiculed me for letting it bother me so much. The rain is the bigger problem. When we had that really bad storm some time ago I actually witnessed cars hydroplaning, tons of accidents all over the place because people were not slowing down. That then screws up traffic (besides the obvious injuries inflicted on others). How is that not supposed to bother me?

The other co-worker proceeded to tell me that he hates Michigan because during the snow seasons you have to stay inside. Err?

I swear - if I could telecommute and live anywhere else I would do it in a heartbeat.

[Charles]

Something about a picture and a thousand words comes to mind...Colorado:

[revelated]

Originally Posted by Charles

Something about a picture and a thousand words comes to mind...Colorado:

Nice picture. However I would not consider CO as a state with full four seasons. To my knowledge their spring is not rainy.

[Highnlite]

Not true at all. You are forgetting that in a state a thousand miles long and three hundred miles wide with elevations from -283 to +14,505 and an average elevation higher than the high points in most states east of the the 100th Meridian, there are great differences in climate. Anywhere in California above 4,000 feet has four seasons. Now, you can say that the metro areas do not have distinct seasons and, you are right, but you cannot generalize that out to the State of California.

Where I lived for 40 years in California had clear warm sunny summers with Thunder storms. Cold crisp clear (between storms) Autumn with brilliant fall foliage. Serious winters with up to 15 feet of snow, and temperatures down to -35, and wet rainy and snowy springs. No one planted their gardens until Memorial Day due to the danger of Frost, once again, in California.

[revelated]

Originally Posted by Highnlite

Not true at all. You are forgetting that in a state a thousand miles long and three hundred miles wide with elevations from -283 to +14,505 and an average elevation higher than the high points in most states east of the the 100th Meridian, there are great differences in climate. Anywhere in California above 4,000 feet has four seasons. Now, you can say that the metro areas do not have distinct seasons and, you are right, but you cannot generalize that out to the State of California.

Where I lived for 40 years in California had clear warm sunny summers with Thunder storms. Cold crisp clear (between storms) Autumn with brilliant fall foliage. Serious winters with up to 15 feet of snow, and temperatures down to -35, and wet rainy and snowy springs. No one planted their gardens until Memorial Day due to the danger of Frost, once again, in California.

Since people most commonly live in metro areas I find that a solid measuring stick.

New Hampshire, Chicago, Cleveland, those are true "four seasons". Look at this:

http://www.city-data.com/forum/5081532-post8.html

THAT is what I'm talking about.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by revelated

I informed them that if it weren't for the job market being superior here I'd be elsewhere for sure .

Yeah it's tough to beat the incredible job market there. Our unemployment rate here in Fairfax County, VA is 5% right now. How much lower is it there?

[Highnlite]

Stop for a minute, this was your statement.

California is missing one key thing (and it's often fatal).

Your statement was shown to be highly inaccurate.

Metro areas were not part of your statement, you cannot change the rules just because you worded your statement poorly.

somewhere where the summer temperature never exceeded 80 degrees or thereabouts. Somewhere that had a full four seasons that I could plan on and count on

What metro area fits this?

[ryanst530]

I could do without the snow, but I would like to see some real thunderstorms more often. I miss them from Texas...

[Highnlite]

Here is how you get to have Thunderstorms, go camping in the Sierra, and don't bring a tent, that will insure a gully washer.

[revelated]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

Yeah it's tough to beat the incredible job market there. Our unemployment rate here in Fairfax County, VA is 5% right now. How much lower is it there?

Nah. We're up in the 10's my friend.

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I'm just saying, the quality of the jobs is superior to anything I've experienced in other states, especially with regards to income. When I was considering leaving my last job I actually had applied at a few places back east who considered me, but at half the salary I was making for what amounted to the same level of work. Nuh uh. It's my salary that keeps me here. If I could make this same salary in a place with a reasonable COL I'd be all set.