OC is the BEST place to live if you make 6 figures (Santa Ana: apartment, mortgage)

[Charles]

Originally Posted by YLresident

I'm with you... lived in OC all my life--we have our share of what I've called "plastic" all over these boards, yes, but our county is surely not populated with a majority of them. A select few, but most of us are pretty down-to-earth, educated, interesting people.

I'll go one step further. It isn't Orange County or Beverly Hills. It is wealthy places in general. Heck, I have experienced this alleged pretentious, plastic, demeanor in higher end neighborhoods of Huntsville, AL, Buffalo, NY, and Columbus OH.

[A Proud American]

Originally Posted by Charles

It is wealthy places in general. Heck, I have experienced this alleged pretentious, plastic, demeanor in higher end neighborhoods of Huntsville, AL, Buffalo, NY, and Columbus OH.

What is "pretentious" or "plastic" about living in a higher-end neighborhood?

Do you believe that successful individuals should drive around in beaters and pretend they are "just plain folk," even if they are anything but?

What is the point of working your way to the top if you can't enjoy the fruits of your labor?

I'm sorry but this just sounds like class envy. People in the lower echelons of society just need to get used to it and learn to appreciate what they have. Name-calling is juvenile and will get you nowhere.

[YLresident]

Originally Posted by A Proud American

What is "pretentious" or "plastic" about living in a higher-end neighborhood?

Do you believe that successful individuals should drive around in beaters and pretend they are "just plain folk," even if they are anything but?

What is the point of working your way to the top if you can't enjoy the fruits of your labor?

I'm sorry but this just sounds like class envy. People in the lower echelons of society just need to get used to it and learn to appreciate what they have. Name-calling is juvenile and will get you nowhere.

I don't have class envy--my family's doing just fine financially and we live in a wonderful neighborhood with fantastic neighbors in Yorba Linda thanks to my mom and dad's great work ethics and money savvy. What I'm saying is that I'm not some stuck up, ungrateful, full-of-myself, pretentious brat who thinks I should be treated better than anyone else simply because my parent (my dad is dead) doesn't rent and can afford to buy nice things.

That's where the plastic comes in, particularly in the children of wealthy and upper middle class parents--falling into the mold of what you think people of your "status" should be, thinking you're above other "lesser" people, and having a sense of undeserved entitlement. Respect is not a right--you earn it. Just because you're wealthy (or your parents are wealthy) doesn't mean you deserve respect... there's much more to being a contributing member of your community and our society than simply having a lot of money. Good character can't be bought.

[wealthtrader]

Originally Posted by Charles

I'll go one step further. It isn't Orange County or Beverly Hills. It is wealthy places in general. Heck, I have experienced this alleged pretentious, plastic, demeanor in higher end neighborhoods of Huntsville, AL, Buffalo, NY, and Columbus OH.

Nope. I disagree. Being wealthy doesn't make you plastic. If it did then Greenwich CT would be the most plastic. Frankly, it's not even close. I think it has to do with environment and culture moreso.

[Kelseykid]

Hubby and I are moving away from OC after decades of 'concrete jungle' living. San Clemente was great until about 8 years ago...owners of apartments shoved all families out in pier bowl area to fix up and charge more rent. Ended up in Anaheim to avoid long commute. Rent now for us in 2 bdm apt is $1755/month. Moving up to Nor Cal, taking our virtual jobs w/us. OC to me is great, like one poster said, make lots of $$$ and live in beach community, or if you're young and single and/or without kids. It's vibrant, fun, and weather great. Me?....getting out June 2008!! Moving to remote Lake County, Kelseyville.

Lived in other states and California, IMHO, is THE best!

[wealthtrader]

Originally Posted by Kelseykid

Hubby and I are moving away from OC after decades of 'concrete jungle' living. San Clemente was great until about 8 years ago...owners of apartments shoved all families out in pier bowl area to fix up and charge more rent. Ended up in Anaheim to avoid long commute. Rent now for us in 2 bdm apt is $1755/month. Moving up to Nor Cal, taking our virtual jobs w/us. OC to me is great, like one poster said, make lots of $$$ and live in beach community, or if you're young and single and/or without kids. It's vibrant, fun, and weather great. Me?....getting out June 2008!! Moving to remote Lake County, Kelseyville.

Lived in other states and California, IMHO, is THE best!

I'm sure it's beautiful up there. I'd love to live there in Lake County. I was just looking at some pictures. It's nice to be somewhere with hills that are in their natural state-very relaxing to say the least, but even as an investor/entrepreneur I'd have concerns with the poor economy and it's effects on crime and possibly even immigration.

[sirwinston73]

Originally Posted by Charles

Back to the title of the thread. You can live for six figures in OC like you can in much of the rest of the country for about one third as much. The big exception is the weather. So this indicates the price people are willing to pay for weather. Now, between sitting in the office for nine hours, sitting in your car for 1.5 to 2 hours, sleeping, paying bills, posting on City-Data, and going shopping, how much time do you really enjoy the weather per day?

That is a very small-minded way of looking at things, and from your perspective only.

For me the move to OC has been more than worth it for the people I've met. As an entrepreneur I've always felt alienated by people who simply cannot understand the concept that I don't have a job and who have disdain for me because of it. Since moving here, I'm surrounded by people like myself all the time. Not only do I feel a lot more at home here, but the incredible contacts I've made here have such a positive effect on my businesses.

One night we were at a get together at a neighbor's house (they happen every Sat/Sun night in our neighborhood - everyone is close-knit on our street) and after the fact we realized that there were 20 people in the house and not one had a job. All entrepreneurs like us.

So, for people like us, this is like a dream come true. Living here around such accomplished people has opened up my mind to greater possibilities and really kicked up my life and business several notches.

And about that weather, I'm typically in my office about 20 hours a week which is 5 minutes from home, so I enjoy my daily walks/runs on the beach very much, thank you.

Living here is approximately 3x as expensive as where I moved from but I get more than 10x as much from it. Your mileage may vary.

[sirwinston73]

Originally Posted by A Proud American

What is "pretentious" or "plastic" about living in a higher-end neighborhood?

Do you believe that successful individuals should drive around in beaters and pretend they are "just plain folk," even if they are anything but?

What is the point of working your way to the top if you can't enjoy the fruits of your labor?

I'm sorry but this just sounds like class envy. People in the lower echelons of society just need to get used to it and learn to appreciate what they have. Name-calling is juvenile and will get you nowhere.

I agree 100%. I'm sick and tired of hearing it. It makes me realize that some people probably look at my car, watch, etc., and conclude that I'm "pretentious" or "plastic" when in fact I'm one of the most polite, kind, considerate people you'll ever meet (and so are most wealthy people I know personally).

The idea that a successful person who could afford any car would drive a beater just to be "down-to-earth" is downright ridiculous.

In my experience it stems from insecurity. Some people just aren't sure with who they are and overcompensate by name-calling and trying to denigrate those who are accomplished in life.

I struggled with money for a long time and was broke at several points in my life but never did I point at people in nice cars and call them "pretentious." If I did I doubt I'd have made it big-time myself. People who think like that just won't amount to anything.

Interestingly, where I live in Newport Coast, it's a big inside joke that outsiders think we're all so snooty and pretentious when in reality we all agree this is one of the friendliest communities to be found anywhere. I hate to break it to you but successful people are generally HAPPY and we manifest that by being kind and polite to others. Which is the polar opposite of the jerks who call us "pretentious."

[UB50]

Originally Posted by sirwinston73

One night we were at a get together at a neighbor's house (they happen every Sat/Sun night in our neighborhood - everyone is close-knit on our street) and after the fact we realized that there were 20 people in the house and not one had a job. All entrepreneurs like us.

How many grow houses do you have in the neighborhood? Sounds like there might be at least one, if not more! Pretty cool! Everyone has a lot of money and no one has a job!!



You know they are putting those grow houses in high end neighborhoods, dontcha?

[Mach50]

Originally Posted by sirwinston73

I agree 100%. I'm sick and tired of hearing it. It makes me realize that some people probably look at my car, watch, etc., and conclude that I'm "pretentious" or "plastic" when in fact I'm one of the most polite, kind, considerate people you'll ever meet (and so are most wealthy people I know personally).

The idea that a successful person who could afford any car would drive a beater just to be "down-to-earth" is downright ridiculous.

In my experience it stems from insecurity. Some people just aren't sure with who they are and overcompensate by name-calling and trying to denigrate those who are accomplished in life.

I struggled with money for a long time and was broke at several points in my life but never did I point at people in nice cars and call them "pretentious." If I did I doubt I'd have made it big-time myself. People who think like that just won't amount to anything.

Interestingly, where I live in Newport Coast, it's a big inside joke that outsiders think we're all so snooty and pretentious when in reality we all agree this is one of the friendliest communities to be found anywhere. I hate to break it to you but successful people are generally HAPPY and we manifest that by being kind and polite to others. Which is the polar opposite of the jerks who call us "pretentious."

sirwinston73,

I believe you, I too have met some good contacts here in Orange County that would further my business and there definitely are some real successful people here in OC.

However, I have to also admit to meeting many fakes here, that present themselves as "high rollers" when they really work a regular 9-5 and have a BMW on lease, bought a Boss Leather Jacket from Nordstrom Rack and live in a 1 bedroom apartment overlooking the highway.

It seems there is a definite drive to appear wealthy (even talk like they are: vacations, cars, clothes, dining out), when they are not and should just be happy being themselves.