Anyone made the move from New England to California and regreted it? (Torrance: fit in, transplants)

[recon110]

Don't buy the hype on California. This state is in a shamble. The State would be better off asking for the Treasury to bail it out then set and wade in squaller. Does 15 billion sound a bit much. Well consider schools cutting buses, sports programs etc. Only the wealthy can afford these simple nicities. California is all about class warfare. The immigrants get more out of the state agencies then we do. High taxes and no services. No programs for middle class taxpayers because we are paying for all the illegal immigrants and make too much to qualify for those programs but not enough to make up the state deficit. It is called the middle class sandwich.

[family first]

Recon...are you from the East Coast? I am looking for feedback on people that have lived in New England past or present and how they would compare CA. to it. We are Natives out west here and have seen the state spiraling downward. Granted the weather is pretty mild year around, but that argument only goes so far when all else is heading south (taxes, population, crime, failing schools). And I'm in Norcal and in the foothills where it is better than a lot of the state.

[mini_cute]

Moving from California to New England seems like it would be a pretty dramatic change. I think you would be trading in the benefits of California living for New England living and may begin to miss what you once had even though you will gain in other aspects. I have never lived in New England (unless NYC is actually considered part of New England) but may I suggest that maybe there are alternatives to remedy your situation besides making such a tremendous change. Sounds like you don't like the density of homes of where you live in California so have you considered other parts of California that aren't as dense? What about Oregon?

P.S. I personally think NorCal is way too dense now. The SF peninsula all the way down to San Jose has insane traffic. In fact, even East Bay has crazy traffic. That is why I am glad I am in San Diego where traffic isn't bad at all, it's clean and people aren't stacked up on top of each other.

[family first]

mini...I live in the country now and still feel 40 million people on the radar! Being a native of CA the last 43 years, I'm getting worn on all the unsolveable issues bogging this state down. My bride is from Maine and every time we go back for vacations we end up asking ourselves why we have'nt pulled the plug out West. Thanks for the Oregon tip, but we like the topography of the East coast which isn't duplicated out West. I was looking for people who had made the move out West to give me feedback on life on both coasts. Pros and Cons. Thanks and hope to here more input.

[18Montclair]

My mother-in-law was hospitalized in Maine earlier this year and me and my BF went back there for 2 weeks. It was nice but I got bored really fast.

[rose22]

Originally Posted by elousv

I grew up in Maine and now live in CA. One of the big differences is the weather. CA, for the most part, has no weather. Maine is the very definition of weather. Skeeters too, they eat ya alive up there, hardly any here.

I would like just to know what's the meaning of "skeeters". I am from Spain, and I have studied English almost all my life, and I understant almost everything, but not this word, so if you could explain it to me I would thank you.

Thankss

[family first]

rose22 skeeter refers to mosquitos...those flying little critters that suck your blood!!!

[OC Investor2]

My experience: Live in OC past 13 years. I have family in the Keene, NH area. Spent a ton of time there and even worked 2 summers there. So given that, have a few random thoughts for you.

1. Weather - you will go from enjoying it to having to take in into consideration for everything you do. There is a reason LL Bean sells a ton of outerwear. You will need alot of it. And the winters are LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONG. And cold. And lots and lots of snow. Did I mention long? That Currier & Ives christmas card stuff stops being pretty after about 2 months of shoveling snow and sliding around on black ice - and you'll still have 3 more to go. When I call back east I stop asking about the weather in mid-January because it just causes my sister to start cursing, and she hates to do that.

2. I love visiting there, but I would'nt want to raise my kids in rural new england. You're indoors pretty much 24/7 for 6 months a year. Cabin fever is a real & your kids will start to eat each other before spring. When the weather is good, there is not much to do. As for education,from what I hear, the schools are OK, but also underfunded. That's the flipside of the low taxes in NH.

3. Rural New England is like many other rural locations, fewer shopping & dining options & fewer entertainment options then a big city. Not sure where you live in CA, but if your from the LA/SD/SF metro areas, you'll be in for a big change.

4. People. Californians are more open, accepting, less caught up on ones place in society and very diverse. I find new englanders polite enough, but very private. Also, socail standing/class is much more stratified and you may have difficulty "breaking in " socailly unless you have someone who can get you in the door, so to speak. Lastly New Hampshire is Butt White. Zero diversity.

Hope that helps & good luck in whatever you decide!

[family first]

OC...weather is a reoccurring theme for Maine/ New Hampshire. Being a native of CAlifornia but mostly liking the higher elevations, snow and rain are not problems for us. How bad can it be back East? With a larger home back there and most with basements I think we could spread out with a family. Don't people recreate outdoors during the winter months or is it so cold peolpe don't go outside? I get cold and snow in the hills where I live now. Also, my bride is from Maine and I get her insight (be it slanted) on the joys of living back East.

You mentioned "Butt White", I don't mind the color as long as it speaks English! As far as shopping, most stores close at 5 pm on good days where we live now and the closest chain stores are 30-45 minutes away.

I don't need to be a socialite, just to have respectfull folks that will treat my family as others. I actually would prefer wearing jeans and driving my truck than putting on my rolex and driving the Lexus.

I would be more discouraged if I felt my wife and kids would face hardships at school, church , the neighborhood or just being from California.

Thanks for the insight and if there are other factors, keep me posted.

[countrygirlfromtexas]

Hi, I lived in Southern California for 16 years, then due to a job transfer we moved to a small town in upstate New York. It was like moving to a whole new country. It was so different. The people were very polite, everyone called each other Mr. or Mrs. Lastname, no matter how long they knew each other. I found that very charming. They were friendly but not pushy, they take their time to get to know you. The weather! It took a couple of years to adjust. The first year I was freezing my rear off all the time. After that I gradually adjusted and cold weather was no problem. I like to walk alot, and I walked outside in bitterly cold temps. One time it was minus 15. You learn how to live with the cold. It is incredibly beautiful when it has just snowed, and so quiet it is an unbelievable experience. That said by Feb. people start getting antsy. Almost everyone takes a vacation to Florida in Feb. Fall is gorgeous, no doubt about it. Also you can buy land for pretty cheap. If you live in the country though, you have to get used to driving alot. Warning, if you have allergy problems, they are diffently worse back east. We no longer live there due to another job transfer, I miss it very much. Ihope this helps you.