Moving to Orange County from south (Richmond: transplants, lawyer, house)

[alabamatide]

My husband and I are moving to southern California. I am a southern woman who was raised in Birmingham and have never lived outside the south. Has anyone else who lives in Orange County lived in the south? Is it really that different? We just came back from our trip and I just loved the place. It seemed very laid back and quite friendly, and not at all like the shows on tv that portray the lifestyle there. I am looking forward to our move out.

[BRinSM]

i'm originally from OC and lived in Richmond, VA for a while as well as spent time in SC and GA. I'm not sure how that part of the south compares to the gulf states, but i'll give it a shot anyways. first, housing here is crazy expensive compared to the south. in most areas that i visited, $250k would get you a nice house in a nice neighborhood. not the case here. also, we have traffic like you've never seen. make sure to live pretty close to where you'll be working, unless you don't mind going 20-30mph for over an hour to and from work. as for lifestyles, laid back is often a word used to describe the oc, but i don't think that's the case. people dress very casually, it's not uncommon to see men wearing tommy bahama shirts and flip flops to church on sundays. also, slacks are almost never needed unless you're a lawyer or doctor. jeans can be worn for just about any occasion, save a wedding or funeral (and even then sometimes it's appropriate). sadly though, the "keeping up with the joneses" mentalitiy is strong throughout CA and many people tend to look down upon those of more humble financial status. if you have a heavy accent, people may even make assumptions about you, especially in the ritzier coastal/southern areas. however, not everyone is like that (most people in fact) and there are plenty of transplants in the area from all over the country. it might take some work, but you should find your own niche here eventually. good luck with the move! also, eat the mexican food, it will way better than anything you've ever had in the south.

[CAVA1990]

Yes, it really is that different.

[Reivax]

You should definitely come out and live in California for a few years.
It will make all the wonderful things about your home state of Alabama become clearer to you, and you will appreciate it all the more.

[ambiguity144]

Writing as someone who grew up in the South, you will be in awe of the southern California weather with flowers in bloom in January, no frost, lots of sunny days, etc. A lot of Orange Co. people are approachable and strangers strike up a conversation. You will find a lot of diversity here which is a great change from the South. If you prefer to attend a place of worship or join a faith community, you probably won't be a stranger long but quickly included. As to disadvantages of residing here, others have addressed and will comment on that. Please consider these also in your decision. I wish you well in your journey to California and Orange Co.