Worcester versus Santa Cruz, CA (Beverly, Essex: fit in, new home, buying)

[skytrekker]

Originally Posted by sav858

I'm just curious, have you actually ever been to Santa Cruz? B/c you opinions are pretty off base and you just seem to rehashing a bunch of BS stereotypes. All those dirty hippies there don't seem too materialistic. Amazing how you talk about how SC reeks of elitism yet look at your post.

SC is right next to one of the most educated and wealthy regions in the country and one of the most cultured cities in America.

Also realize you are trying to compare a state that is 16X larger than MA and you can't generalize it like that. There are plenty of places in CA where the quality of life is just as good if not better than Mass. CA has some crappy parts of some really nice parts. Some really good schools and some really bad ones. We are a big diverse state where you can find pretty much anything you want, unlike MA.

I guess our low quality of life is why we have 36+ million residents. I seriously have lost count of how many MA transplants I've met here in CA, especially San Diego, and I highly doubt you'll find an equal # of CA transplants there.

Yes I have been to Santa Cruz- allot of trust fund babies, more then New England really. The quality of life can be based on subjective criteria- population inflow does not equate to a state or region having a 'high quality of life'.

Actually I have found more racism, and economic arrogance in California then old world Massachusetts, which predicates life more on integrity and intelligence then visual beauty. But is that not what the Golden state is about?

California rates as one of the least intelligent states.

[puffle]

I must say sky that if I had unlimited funds I can think of a few places in California I wouldn't mind living in, but none of them are in Southern Ca. I love Northern Ca. from the coast of Big Sir down through Carmel and Montery. The wine country and the rustic areas of Mendicino, even San Fransisco. When it comes to Los Angeles, Kern County, San Bernadino County to name a few, these are avoidable areas in my opinion and also the worst air quality in the country.

[FinkieMcGee]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

Again
But look at local services, education- California sure looks pretty, but beyond the 'beauty' comes the beast.

The UC system has universities that are regarded as some of the best in the world...

[skytrekker]

Originally Posted by FinkieMcGee

The UC system has universities that are regarded as some of the best in the world...

UC Berkeley is one of the best- and is one of my favorite places to visit when in the bay area. Its academics and student body are excellent- but frankly Massachusetts has better public colleges- and its private schools are renowned.

[skytrekker]

Originally Posted by puffle

I must say sky that if I had unlimited funds I can think of a few places in California I wouldn't mind living in, but none of them are in Southern Ca. I love Northern Ca. from the coast of Big Sir down through Carmel and Montery. The wine country and the rustic areas of Mendicino, even San Fransisco. When it comes to Los Angeles, Kern County, San Bernadino County to name a few, these are avoidable areas in my opinion and also the worst air quality in the country.

I agree Puff- California in many geographic locations is unsurpassed for beauty.
Climate along the coast is optimum for human comfort.

If I had the money I might choose to live in the California wine country- more Sonoma then Napa. Also I would not mind living in Marin county. However if I could 'afford' to live in the best parts of California, I would have to be careful about loosing my eastern practicality and solidness, and not succumb to the negative aspects of the California lifestyle.

[FinkieMcGee]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

UC Berkeley is one of the best- and is one of my favorite places to visit when in the bay area. Its academics and student body are excellent- but frankly Massachusetts has better public colleges- and its private schools are renowned.

Well, you stated public services, so I felt the need to bring up the UC system, but I'd disagree with the public colleges in MA being superior to the UC system. Half the reason I moved to CA is to get that sweet instate tuition.

I don't like bringing up rankings, but I'm pretty sure UMass Amherst is pretty low in the US News Rankings and UC Berkeley/LA/SD are ranked way higher.

Originally Posted by skytrekker

However if I could 'afford' to live in the best parts of California, I would have to be careful about loosing my eastern practicality and solidness, and not succumb to the negative aspects of the California lifestyle.

I'd like to learn more about how everyone in MA is rude and how everyone in CA is self absorbed.

Wherever you go people are people, if you're going to cast stereotypes on people that are from a certain region, they will certainly never break that since you will not give them an opportunity to.

[puffle]

I have no doubt skytrekker, that you would enhance the negative aspects of the California lifestyle and add an old worlde twist to it. You would probably do very well in Carmel which in some ways reminds me very much of part of New England, the more artsy liberal parts that love animals!

[Lindsey_Mcfarren]

Read the first post and how he describes California. He has been there since 1984. Personally, having lived in Worcester and spent ALOT of time in California, I think he will be misreable in Worcester.

[goodgirl49]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

I would easily compare the two places- Greater Worcester has a higher quality of life.

Why? Better schools, more access to culture, far lower housing prices, better transportation; the only area where Santa Cruz excels at is the climate- the rest of the area reeks of elitism, materialism, and as far as it is being 'Old California' hardly.

California ranks in the lower half for quality of life nationally according to Forbes magazine- Massachusetts ranks in the top 10, California- its school system is a joke , crime is rated in California among the worst states nationally- Massachusetts is rated among the safest states. For all California once was, it certainly now- rates among the lowest of all states- in every component of quality of life- the climate however is superb- beyond that it offers little.

Massachusetts rates as the 2nd smartest state 2007-2008 California ranks 47th. Talk to me about what California offers anyone.

Santa Cruz is nowhere as materialistic as LA. Some places in CA offer a high quality of life, and others a low one, just like anyplace else. Some of the safest cities are in CA such as Valencia, Simi Valley, Burbank. Even LA's crime rate isn't as high as some places in the east. My daughter went to UC Santa Cruz. It's a great place to live if you can afford it.

[goodgirl49]

Originally Posted by skytrekker

I agree Puff- California in many geographic locations is unsurpassed for beauty.
Climate along the coast is optimum for human comfort.

If I had the money I might choose to live in the California wine country- more Sonoma then Napa. Also I would not mind living in Marin county. However if I could 'afford' to live in the best parts of California, I would have to be careful about loosing my eastern practicality and solidness, and not succumb to the negative aspects of the California lifestyle.

I'm from Pittsburgh and I've lived in LA since 1977. I feel that I've never lost my eastern practicality and solidness. A lot of my eastern sensibility has never left me. I must add that I probably would have never moved to LA on my own as that was where I wanted to be above all other places. I basically didn't have a choice if I wanted to marry a good person. Before that, I kissed a lot of toads in my time. I don't regret it.