Where do tree hugging, vegetarian liberals belong in OC? (Los Angeles: 2009, neighborhood)

[sailordave]

So much for open minds and free exchange of ideas. No matter where you live you're not going to find a place where everyone agrees with your personal views. I don't know of many places where people get into other people's business like with enviromentalism or vegan. Wouldn't it be more sensible to live where you like or where the work and money is and do what you can to help your little part of the world? Do you find it distasteful to be around people who eat meat or only has a dash of enviromentalism? Based upon what you've posted here it appears you should be moving to San Francisco, Berkeley, or Seattle.

[jaynetarzana]

Wow, thanks for the attacks guys. You don't know anything about me and yet you are placing me into your stereotypes of what you believe about vegans and environmentalists. I have said from the beginning of my post that I know we should be going back up to Santa Cruz, but DH needs more convincing. I talked to him about it again last night and he said that he knows it too, but he just likes the warmer weather down there. I do too, but not enough to sacrifice being near like minded people. I'm sure that everyone has their reasons for living where they do, why should I be ridiculed for it?

[Mach50]

Take the attacks here as a warning...OC will leave you alone, but they will not embrace the NorCal mindset...most will mock it.

[jaynetarzana]

I already drew that conclusion. Thanks.

[LittleDolphin]

I was just thinking that there are pockets of like-minded kindred spirits in many unexpected places.

In OC? I bet if there's a health food store there or a yoga studio or a holistic or alternative practice that like-minded people can be found for friendship and support. In a large metro area like So CA there are bound to be folks eager to make your acquaintance who share your values.

Of course, there are more, per capita, in No CA but still, I'm sure you could find kinship and community in So CA, too. I wouldn't rule it out if that's where employment is to be found.

[jaynetarzana]

Thanks for your reply LittleDolphin,

You are right and we did find pockets of kindred spirits in San Diego, but I didn't like to be such a minority when it came to my values. DH can work in several different offices in CA and he works from home 3 days a week so we have a lot of options. We're going to focus on Northern California.

Thanks for your time everyone.

[f_m]

Originally Posted by nmnita

I think there may be other parts of the state that will please you more than OC> I am a little bothered by a comment you made: like minded, shouldn't your kids be exposed to all ways of thinking??
You can not protect them from others views foever.. Are you worried that if they hear others views on life you may lose control?

Nita

Why would you be bothered by what someone else wants to do? If a Chinese person wanted to live in a "Chinatown" so they could be near the food, shopping, and cultural activities they are familiar with, that sounds like the same thing to me.

[majoun]

Originally Posted by Fontucky

Thank you for the explanation. So Cal liberalism (especially in OC) can't hold a candle to the Nor Cal version. To put it bluntly, you ain't gonna find it here, even in Laguna, which is undergoing demo shifts itself.

Just look at the election returns from OC as they pertain to Prop 8. I include a graphic for your convenience.

Your people aren't down here. You hear that, DH?

Interesting. Very Republican Huntington Beach and Seal Beach opposing Prop 8 and Santa Ana and Anaheim - amongst the most Dem areas of OC - supporting it.

[Mach50]

Originally Posted by majoun

Interesting. Very Republican Huntington Beach and Seal Beach opposing Prop 8 and Santa Ana and Anaheim - amongst the most Dem areas of OC - supporting it.

Just for the record, I am cool with OC being a conservative republican biblethumping breeding ground... I hope it stays that way.

It adds a little spice to the California blend...it's not my blend, but I accept it and wish the best for all the OC residents.

[MisterDuke]

Orange County isn't as conservative as it used to be. It's definitely shifting to moderate. But you won't find any liberal bastions here. At least not yet.

The heyday of Orange County conservatism had people like William Dannemeyer ("people with AIDS emit spores that cause birth defects), John G Schmitz (the Watts riots were a "communist operation"), James B Utt (claimed that the United Nations was training an army of barefooted Africans in Georgia with the intention of overthrowing the US), Bob Dornan ("Every lesbian spear-chucker in this country is hoping I get defeated."). You just don't see those types of people succeeding in OC politics these days. Even Jim Gilchrist, the founder of the Minutemen, who is from that same mold of conservatism, couldn't beat out more moderate republicans when he recently ran for office.

Conservatism plays better in rural areas, and Orange County's agricultural days are a thing of the past. We are definitely urban. Irvine was the cradle of OC conservatism, and it is now almost two-thirds democrat. OC politics are becoming more moderate. Give it 30 more years and there is a good chance Irvine may turn into a Berkeley.