YOUR experience living in California? (San Diego, San Francisco: university, public transportation, car)

[countofmc]

First of all, people that get bothered when they hear "Cali" or "Frisco" need to get a life. As for my experiences, I can only tell you about big cities:

1 - Diverse, but not really a melting pot. For example, I lived in a certain area in one of the "BIG 3" cities, and in my particular community I could go almost a week without seeing a single black person. And the only Hispanic people I'd see were employees of the businesses I would patronize. The only people actually LIVING in the community were caucasian and Asian.
2 - Cost of living sucks.
3 - Ridiculous NIMBYism basically anywhere I go.
4 - Awesome weather, obviously
5- Pretty unfriendly people compared to the state I used to live in.
6 - Public transportation sucks and is overrated in each of the BIG 3 cities.
7 - Pretty tolerant and liberal
8 - Great food for a good price

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by countofmc

First of all, people that get bothered when they hear "Cali" or "Frisco" need to get a life.

Actually, most of us from or living in the places in question have lives, don't indulge in juvenile, lazy speak and have some respect for those places.

[countofmc]

Originally Posted by Curmudgeon

Actually, most of us from or living in the places in question have lives, don't indulge in juvenile, lazy speak and have some respect for those places.

I'd love to argue about this but judging by your username, what could I possibly say.

[bmw335xi]

Originally Posted by risingvendetta

I always wished I lived in the West Coast but have no idea what it will be like growing up. I still live at home in the suburbs and I HATE the suburbs. For me, it's miles of empty streets and their's been a lot of racism. Granted, I know that can happen anywhere, but I only feel comfortable in a diverse area.

I was wondering, can I get personal experiences from people living in or near the major cities in California? I have no idea what to expect if I ever go there. I'm told Californians are more friendly and more welcoming compare to where I am. You hear people going to Cali and refuse to ever leave.

So, tell me everything. Are the hills really that unbearable in San Francisco? I'll probably be the guy at the very bottom looking up saying "Son of a....."

I also don't like the idea of "driving everywhere". everybody is inside their cars and the streets are vacant with nobody walking. It's just wierd and creepy seeing nobody walking outside. Freaks me out.

I would like to visit all the cities in Cali but it would help if I can get an idea on what to expect.

San Francisco is really the only city you can live without a car easily in California. The hills are one of its best features because they give you beautiful views of the Bay Area. I wouldn't say people are more accepting of others without knowing where you are from. For example, most people don't mind if you are openly gay people here, but they will mind if you don't believe in global warming. Also, the boring suburban streets don't have literally crazy homeless people on every corner, some that will shout obscenities at you while you walk by. Overall, I love San Francisco and California in general. It's a beautiful place with lots to offer.

I've lived in many cities in my life, both urban and suburban. I think living in an urban city when you don't have children is a great experience. However, I plan to live in a suburban city when I plan to settle down. $500,000 will buy you a tiny one bedroom or studio condo in a decent part of San Francisco (not great part), where as $500,000 will buy you a beautiful home with a pool in the best part of most cities in the US. This is why I think San Francisco is great when you are young and don't have children.

[nightlysparrow]

The hills of San Francisco are really horrible when one drives a stick shift, and doesn't have 3 feet for the 3 pedals.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by countofmc

First of all, people that get bothered when they hear "Cali" or "Frisco" need to get a life. As for my experiences, I can only tell you about big cities:

1 - Diverse, but not really a melting pot. For example, I lived in a certain area in one of the "BIG 3" cities, and in my particular community I could go almost a week without seeing a single black person. And the only Hispanic people I'd see were employees of the businesses I would patronize. The only people actually LIVING in the community were caucasian and Asian.
2 - Cost of living sucks.
3 - Ridiculous NIMBYism basically anywhere I go.
4 - Awesome weather, obviously
5- Pretty unfriendly people compared to the state I used to live in.
6 - Public transportation sucks and is overrated in each of the BIG 3 cities.
7 - Pretty tolerant and liberal
8 - Great food for a good price

HEY! (re: bolded) We have our traditions, please to respect them. You know, when in Rome...

What state did you used to live in that's friendlier than the Bay Area? Where did you live in CA, anyway?

Public transport is plenty good enough for me, in the Bay Area. Way better than in the NW. New York it's not, but....that's a good thing, all things considered.

The weather can't be beat. Unless you like 4 distinct seasons, including snow. I don't mind that, as long as it's not hot and humid all summer.

[Ruth4Truth]

Originally Posted by nightlysparrow

The hills of San Francisco are really horrible when one drives a stick shift, and doesn't have 3 feet for the 3 pedals.

Definitely an acquired skill! So is parking on the hills, so the car doesn't run away from you.

[countofmc]

Originally Posted by Ruth4Truth

HEY! (re: bolded) We have our traditions, please to respect them. You know, when in Rome...

What state did you used to live in that's friendlier than the Bay Area? Where did you live in CA, anyway?

Public transport is plenty good enough for me, in the Bay Area. Way better than in the NW. New York it's not, but....that's a good thing, all things considered.

The weather can't be beat. Unless you like 4 distinct seasons, including snow. I don't mind that, as long as it's not hot and humid all summer.

I've been living in Cali, yes Cali, a long time. That's not a tradition, it's a preference, and a peculiar one at that. There are much better things to take offense about. But hey, to each their own.

I don't want to give out too much personal details, but I stand by what I said, the other state was friendlier. All 3 of the largest "metro areas" in Cali, I've lived in.

[sprint100]

Originally Posted by countofmc

First of all, people that get bothered when they hear "Cali" or "Frisco" need to get a life. As for my experiences, I can only tell you about big cities:

1 - Diverse, but not really a melting pot. For example, I lived in a certain area in one of the "BIG 3" cities, and in my particular community I could go almost a week without seeing a single black person. And the only Hispanic people I'd see were employees of the businesses I would patronize. The only people actually LIVING in the community were caucasian and Asian.
2 - Cost of living sucks.
3 - Ridiculous NIMBYism basically anywhere I go.
4 - Awesome weather, obviously
5- Pretty unfriendly people compared to the state I used to live in.
6 - Public transportation sucks and is overrated in each of the BIG 3 cities.
7 - Pretty tolerant and liberal
8 - Great food for a good price

I'd agree with all of the above, but just add:
9 - Totally crowded
10 - There are many rural towns but you would be still be sacrificing alot to live there and for one con of big city living that is eliminated there will be 1 or 2 issues that take its place.

[BayAreaHillbilly]

My experience.

A wonderful middle class childhood and early adulthood, 1970s into the late 1990s.

From there?

Not so much ...