Where in CA do people seem happiest? (Chico, Paradise: how much, college)

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Originally Posted by UKWildcat1981

I thought San Diego was the friendliest place I ever been to no joke. Austin and Nashville and Atlanta a lot of Southern cities have a lot of gorgeous women who are friendly and outgoing as well but SD seemed to have the happiest most out going citizens of any city I ever been to. San Antonio has a lot of them as well.

SoCal in general is a good place to be.

[ccm123]

The Central Coast, is pretty laid back, in my opinion.

[EclecticEars]

I'd opt for the Central Coast, followed by North County San Diego, Sonoma County, and the "North Coast" (namely Mendocino County). More laid back than friendly, perhaps...

Understand...California is far from being what I could construe as a friendly state overall, largely because of the rat race mentality in our larger cities (LA, OC, IE, most of SD, Bay Area, Sacramento). You'd need to head to Texas, the Southeast (sans Florida), or just up to Canada if you're looking for healthier cultures. California is, however, still has notably friendlier folks than our friends on the BosWash Corridor or in the Pacific Northwest. So it is relative, I suppose.

[EclecticEars]

Originally Posted by EclecticEars

I'd opt for the Central Coast, followed by North County San Diego, Sonoma County, and the "North Coast" (namely Mendocino County). More laid back than friendly, perhaps...

Understand...California is far from being what I could construe as a friendly state overall, largely because of the rat race mentality in our larger cities (LA, OC, IE, most of SD, Bay Area, Sacramento). You'd need to head to Texas, the Southeast (sans Florida), or just up to Canada if you're looking for healthier cultures. California is, however, still has notably friendlier folks than our friends on the BosWash Corridor or in the Pacific Northwest. So it is relative, I suppose.

As an aside, as women go (from a single guy's perspective), young California women are easily among the most selfish, unfriendly, immature, and narcissistic I've met anywhere on the planet. Just...terrible to get to know. Go to the South, Texas, or Midwest for matter if you want stable women who treat men as human beings--assuming they aren't already married by age 27. (I grew up in the South and lived in the Midwest, I should know.). Otherwise, among first world societies, most European nations have women who are even more feminist and independent than California (and many American) women, yet are more emotionally mature and still a joy to be around. Having just relocated back to California from Europe has helped me realize just how good I had it in that respect in Europe.

[Chimérique]

Originally Posted by NoMoreSnowForMe

Yes, unless you live there, you might think that. Don't forget that UC Davis is the major employer there, with a very well regarded medical school, and veterinary school and engineering school, and wine making school (enology) complete with vineyards.

Davis is full of highly educated people. It's a kind of wannabe Berkeley, from my experience. I owned a condo there. For entertainment, the locals watch the city council meetings on the local cable channel. They protest everything - with both barrels.

There was the protest to save the frogs from the overpass over Pole Line Road by the post office, for example. There is a highly photographed frog condo next to the post office on 5th and Pole Line Road.

The town is very quirky and fun - but this also equals snooty, in my opinion.

In fact, they have pretty much buried the story of the statue that was named "Hind Sight" which was a brass statue downtown of a guy wearing pajamas with a button down drop-down drawer on his hind side, that was dropped down to expose his buttocks and each cheek had an eye on it. Hence, "hind sight." Great statue. But, protests ensued to protect sensitive young children from seeing a statue with a bare rear end.

Anyway, a population with masters and PHD's is bound to be "snooty." And Davis is.

Great town. Lots of fun. Safe. Quirky. Bike Friendly. And...snooty.

I love it anyway. But, yes, it's snooty.

You've got it right about Davis, except long-time residents would "roll their eyes" at the comment of being a "wannabe Berkeley", sounds like something a a SoCal or Bay Area student would say, or someone from some conservative part of California would say.

Davis is Davis ;they have their own identify and don't need or want to be like Berkeley.

[LuvSouthOC]

Originally Posted by EclecticEars

I'd opt for the Central Coast, followed by North County San Diego, Sonoma County, and the "North Coast" (namely Mendocino County). More laid back than friendly, perhaps...

Understand...California is far from being what I could construe as a friendly state overall, largely because of the rat race mentality in our larger cities (LA, OC, IE, most of SD, Bay Area, Sacramento). You'd need to head to Texas, the Southeast (sans Florida), or just up to Canada if you're looking for healthier cultures. California is, however, still has notably friendlier folks than our friends on the BosWash Corridor or in the Pacific Northwest. So it is relative, I suppose.

I remember you mentioning, and correct me if I am wrong, that you are a Southerner. Yes, people do seem very friendly in the South and certainly more so than Californians. In general I agree that California is not as friendly, but then again, it varies so much even inside of a city. I would say in our defense that some while Southerners are very hospitable, the South is renown for gossip and often people talk behind each other's backs. Is that really that friendly? At least here it is more live and let live.

[Mr5150]

Originally Posted by mbell75

Its *Greater LA, hardly anyone walks around with a smile and most people look at you with a puzzled look if you smile or God forbid try to engage them in conversation. Ive been to 34 states and I would say CA is arguably the least friendly. Off that list I would say "other" and choose the Palm Springs area, followed by Murrieta and then Yucaipa.

Fixed it for you.

With that said most of CA is rural and rural folk are quite friendly. Therefore CA is basically a friendly state since it is 97% rural/wilderness.

*where you live

[BeauCharles]

Sierra Nevada Gold Country. Most people there are very happy to live there and it shows. Strong sense of community as well.

[BeauCharles]

Originally Posted by EclecticEars

Understand...California is far from being what I could construe as a friendly state overall, largely because of the rat race mentality in our larger cities (LA, OC, IE, most of SD, Bay Area, Sacramento). You'd need to head to Texas, the Southeast (sans Florida), or just up to Canada if you're looking for healthier cultures. California is, however, still has notably friendlier folks than our friends on the BosWash Corridor or in the Pacific Northwest. So it is relative, I suppose.

You can't judge the entire state by large metro areas on the coast strip. I've lived in the Midwest (Iowa - which has a reputation for friendliness). My brother spent 15+ years in Western Kentucky. My family is from Oklahoma and Arkansas originally. I'd hold up folks in rural and small town California (especially the Sierra and "Jefferson") as easily as friendly as any of those places.

[LuvSouthOC]

Happy people can be found anywhere but when I was in LA this last weekend, I didn't see too many happy there.